Vitamin E is known as one of the most powerful antioxidants found in food. It has a wide range of effects on a person's well-being, including providing support for brain health and heart health. Despite the important role it plays in a diet, relatively little was known about how it works until now.

A team of researchers from the Georgia Health Sciences University recently reported in the journal Nature Communications that vitamin E actually works at the cellular level, helping support the healthy function of the plasma membranes of cells. This is important for the well-being of cells throughout the body.

"Without any special effort we consume vitamin E every day and we don't even know what it does in our bodies," said Dr. Paul McNeil, who led the investigation. However, he added that his team's findings could be a significant step forward in scientists' understanding of how the nutrient operates in the body and why it is so important.

Vitamin E is found in a number of foods, most prominently green, leafy vegetables. Individuals can also increase their consumption of the molecule by taking nutritional supplements.