How much vitamin E is in a pasture-raised chicken egg yolks?

If you're wondering how much vitamin E is in a pasture-raised chicken egg yolk, here's what the data shows:

Vitamin E in a Typical Egg Yolk

  • A standard large egg yolk (about 17 g) contains approximately 0.44 mg of vitamin E (α-tocopherol) (Medical News Today).

  • Per 100 g of egg yolk, vitamin E content ranges from 1.1 mg to 1.9 mg, depending on the source (PMC, Australian Eggs).

 

 

 

Impact of Pasture-Raising

  • Studies show that pasture-raised hens produce egg yolks with significantly more vitamin E compared to conventional eggs:
Estimated Range for Pasture-Raised Yolk
Egg Type Vitamin E per Yolk
Conventional Egg Yolk ~0.4–0.5 mg
Pasture-Raised Yolk ~0.8–1.5 mg (estimated)**
Estimate Explanation:
  • If a conventional yolk contains about 0.44 mg, doubling that (based on the quantitative study) gives roughly 0.9 mg.
  • Using the “3×” figure would suggest around 1.3 mg—though somewhat optimistic, it's within a plausible range given the variability in feed and environment.
Final Takeaway
  • A standard egg yolk offers ~0.4–0.5 mg of vitamin E.
  • A pasture-raised yolk likely provides significantly more—potentially 2× or even 3×, approximating 0.8–1.5 mg of vitamin E per yolk.
Here’s what research indicates about vitamin K₂ content in pastured chicken egg yolks:
Vitamin K₂ in Egg Yolks — General Estimates
  • A Reddit user referenced a range of 46 to 192 micrograms (µg) of vitamin K₂ per egg yolk—depending heavily on the chickens’ diet—with pastured hens yielding about 20% more K₂ than grain-fed hens. Two pasture-raised egg yolks could provide about 120 µg of K₂, which meets the typical daily recommended intake. (Reddit)
Laboratory-Based Nutrient Data
  • According to data compiled by nutrition researchers (from the Netherlands/USA), egg yolks average around 15.5 µg of K₂ per 100 g, nearly all as MK-4 subtype. (Wikipedia, Dr. Steven Lin)
  • Other sources (like those analyzing pastured U.S. eggs) estimate values between 37 and 60 µg per 100 g of yolk. (Dr. Robert Kiltz, Dr. Steven Lin)
Estimated Vitamin K₂ per Egg Yolk
Scenario Vitamin K₂ per Yolk
Conventional egg (avg) ~3–6 µg (based on 100 g ≈ 15.5 µg)
Pasture-raised (approx. +20%) ~4–7 µg per yolk
Anecdotal high-performing hens Possibly up to 46–96 µg
Interpretation
  • Typical values: Most egg yolks (standard range) likely contain 4–7 µg of K₂, assuming an average yolk weight of 17–20 g.
  • Exceptionally rich yolks: The Reddit-cited upper range (46–192 µg) likely applies to highly optimized pasture systems or biofortification—much higher than average.
  • Pasture-raising appears to moderately boost K₂ content (~20%), but enormous variability exists based on feed, breed, and environment limitations.
Bottom Line
  • A typical pasture-raised egg yolk likely provides around 4–7 micrograms of vitamin K₂ (mostly MK-4).
  • In exceptional cases—such as optimized pastured systems—there may be much higher levels, perhaps dozens of micrograms per yolk. However, those levels aren't yet broadly verified in published nutrient databases.
Here’s a well-supported breakdown of the fat-soluble vitamins — A, D, E, and K₂ — in pasture-raised chicken egg yolks, based on available research:
Nutrient Content in Pasture-Raised Egg Yolks1. Vitamin A
  • Pastured yolks contain roughly 2 to 3 times more vitamin A than conventional cage-raised eggs (Understanding Ag).
  • Per average yolk (per Weston A. Price), that equates to approximately 222 to 269 IU of vitamin A, with pasture-raised yolks providing the highest levels (Weston A. Price Foundation).
2. Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D levels in eggs can increase significantly if hens have sunlight exposure; some studies show up to 4× more vitamin D in free-range eggs compared to indoor hens (Wikipedia).
  • Exact amounts vary and are highly dependent on feed and sun exposure, with some conventional yolks showing higher D than pastured depending on feed fortification (Weston A. Price Foundation).
3. Vitamin E
  • Pasture-raised eggs have about 3× more vitamin E compared to conventional eggs (Understanding Ag).
  • If a standard yolk has about 0.4–0.5 mg of vitamin E, a pasture-raised yolk could contain approximately 1.2–1.5 mg.
4. Vitamin K₂ (Menaquinone, mainly MK-4)
  • Average egg yolk K₂ content (Netherlands): 32.1 µg per 100 g (≈ MK-4) (Wikipedia); U.S. average: 15.5 µg per 100 g.
  • A typical egg yolk weighs ~17 g, translating to about 2.6–5.4 µg K₂ per yolk.
  • Pasture-raised hens may produce eggs with ~20% more K₂ than conventional hens (Dr. Robert Kiltz, Reddit).
  • Popular sources suggest two pasture-raised yolks may provide up to 120 µg K₂, but this figure is anecdotal and likely much higher than average (Reddit, Dr. Robert Kiltz).
Summary Table
Vitamin Pasture-Raised Egg Yolk (approx.)
A 222–269 IU (~2–3× higher than conventional)
D Variable — up to 4× more with sunlight
E ~1.2–1.5 mg (approx. 3× conventional)
K₂ ~3–6 µg per yolk (possibly 20% higher)
Key Takeaways
  • Vitamin A and E are significantly increased in pasture-raised yolks.
  • Vitamin D presence depends heavily on sunlight and feed, with potential for large increases.
  • Vitamin K₂ (MK-4) is present in modest amounts, generally around 3–6 µg per yolk, possibly slightly higher in pasture systems—but not large enough to reach the 100 µg level unless biofortified.