Powerful Antioxidant Activity* - Within the cell membrane system, which is crucial to every cell's survival and functional performance, vitamin E provides the first line of defense against 'free radical' damage from lipid peroxidation. The alpha-tocotrienol vitamin E has several times the antioxidant ability of the classic alpha-tocopherol vitamin E against 'free radical' toxins that attack membranes. Alpha-tocotrienol even helps defend against DNA damage in humans. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 64 healthy individuals aged 37–78 were administered either a placebo or 160 mg of tocotrienol-rich vitamin E (from palm oil) daily for 6 months.5 Those who received the tocotrienol-rich vitamin E showed significantly less DNA damage than those on placebo. This benefit was clear among study participants of all ages, but it was especially pronounced among the older participants, as older individuals are more at risk for DNA damage due to aging.

Helps Maintain Healthy Blood Lipids and Blood Vessel Tone.* - Due to their potent antioxidant activity and perhaps other positive actions on the vascular endothelium (the single cell layer that lines the blood vessel walls), the tocotrienols provide potent support for blood vessel tone. The tocotrienols may help conserve EDRF (endothelium-derived relaxing factor), which the body produces to help promote vascular relaxation.6 In preliminary studies on generally healthy individuals, the tocotrienols supported blood vessel structure and function at doses that ranged from 50 to 200 mg daily for 2 months.

The tocotrienols have versatile benefits for cardiovascular health. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 62 healthy individuals received a tocotrienol-enriched vitamin E preparation (from palm oil) at 160 mg per day for 6 months.9 Results were assessed separately for the subjects aged 35–49 versus those aged 50 years or older. The tocotrienols significantly raised HDL cholesterol in the younger group. The older group showed a significant lowering of free radical damage markers in the blood, as well as a sharp decrease in advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which can accelerate aging when they accumulate in the body.

Another recent trial used SuprabioTM tocotrienol-rich vitamin E from palm oil, the same brand featured in Best Tocotrienols. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 32 generally healthy participants received either 300 mg of SuprabioTM or 300 mg of placebo (soy oil) for 6 months.10 The SuprabioTM group showed a 22-times increase in blood tocotrienols over this period, and by 4 months had superior blood lipid profiles.

Supports Brain Health and Cognitive Function.* - Oxidative stress occurs when 'free radical' oxidative activity outweighs antioxidant defense. Research on the aging brain has established that oxidative stress is associated with memory decline. The potent ability of tocotrienols to counterbalance oxidative stress makes them a powerful tool for maintenance of brain health. Their capacity to alter cellular signaling pathways likely also contributes to their brain actions. Within our cells are regulatory factors called nuclear factor-B (NF-B) that influence genes crucial for cell survival and specific cell functions. The tocotrienols are thought to support brain cell NF-B, which is believed to help regulate the nerve cell connections (synapses) important for memory. In a recent study that compared 521 individuals with differing levels of cognitive function, the cognitively normal group had higher blood levels of tocotrienols, tocopherols, and all eight forms of vitamin E. The authors concluded that measuring blood levels of all the eight E vitamers in the elderly may help identify those whose mental performance could benefit from supplementation.

Supports Healthy Hair & Skin.* - Proper nutritional intake is known to be a factor in maintaining both skin quality 13 and a healthy head of hair. Since an association has been established between oxidative stress and retention of hair, the antioxidant activity of tocotrienols was investigated for this application. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 38 healthy men and women, capsules that contained both alpha-tocopherol and 50 mg of mixed tocotrienols were taken twice daily after a meal for 8 months. The tocopherol plus tocotrienols group had a significant increase in the number of hairs on a predetermined area of the scalp, compared to those who received placebo (soy oil).

In a double-blind trial of 16 healthy wo
en with dry skin, half the participants were given placebo and half were given a single capsule containing 40 mg of tocotrienols and 2 mg of astaxanthin (a carotenoid antioxidant compound) daily for four weeks. Significant improvements were seen after just one month of supplementation, and the investigators reported 'an excellent cosmetic effect on human skin' due to concomitant administration of tocotrienols with astaxanthin.

Other Possible Benefits of Tocotrienols. - Adipose (fat) tissue in the body is no longer considered just a storage tissue; it is now known to be a dynamic organ that contains immune cells and secretes hormones and cytokine messenger substances. Studies have shown that tocotrienols can accumulate in adipose tissue and have potential to regulate metabolism in the fat tissue.

In the area of bone health, findings from animal research models suggest that tocotrienols have potential to promote healthy bone structure and strength. In one study a tocotrienol mixture prevented a strong oxidizing agent from removing bone calcium. In another, tocotrienols supported bone density in rodents challenged with either estrogen deficiency or nicotine exposure.

These and other preclinical studies suggest the tocotrienols have further untapped promise for improving organ integrity and function in healthy individuals.

Scientific References - for more information please go to www.drbvitamins.com for reference.