Tocotrienols
The Extraordinary Vitamin E
Vitamin E is not just a single molecule, but a family of eight fat-soluble substances that are sub-divided into two classes of structurally-similar molecules. These two classes are tocopherol and tocotrienol, each of which have four structurally and chemically diverse molecules termed as alpha (α), beta (β), delta (δ), and gamma (γ) respectively.
Tocotrienols
Tocotrienols have unsaturated isoprenoid side chains with three double bonds. This unique property gives it better flexibility with a higher efficiency of penetrating into the cell membrane. Tocotrienols are potent ANTIOXIDANTS* with unique ANTI-INFLAMMATORY properties.
Tocopherols
Tocopherols, in contrast, have saturated side chains. They also function as antioxidants, but this chemical structure gives them a lower antioxidative capacity as compared to tocotrienols.
Tocotrienols have Unique Properties that Positively Impact Different Areas of the Body
Tocotrienols are naturally sourced from plant species like oil palm, rice and Annatto seed.
Each analogue of tocotrienol are functionally unique, with α-, β-, δ-, and γ-tocotrienol each exerting different beneficial effects on health and disease that are separate from the biological functions of α-tocopherol.
Potent Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Tocotrienols have pronounced and potent effects on NF-κβ (key master regulator of inflammation) and STAT3 (master inflammatory transcriptional factor) to reduce inflammation2,3,4.
Tocotrienols vs α-Tocopherol
Health Benefit Studies |
Common Form of
|
Tocotrienols |
| Antioxidant (23, 28, 42) |  |
 |
| Fertility (43) | |
|
| Cardio-protective: Arterial Health (23, 44, 45) | |
|
| Cardio-protective: Lipid-lowering (32, 46, 47, 48) |  |
|
| Liver Health (15,49) | |
|
| Anti-inflammatory (36, 50, 51) |  |
|
| DNA Protection (52) | |
|
| Anti-cancer (27, 35, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57) | |
|
| Neuro-protective (58, 59, 60) | |
|
|
no evidence of effects |
|
relative mild effect |
|
relative moderate effect |
|
relative strong effect |
Reference:
- Serbinova, E.,Kagan, V. Han, D., and Packer, L. (1991). Free radical recycling and intramembrane mobility in the antioxidant properties of alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol. Free Radical and Medicine, 10: 263 – 275.
- Guang et al. (2015). Am J Transl Res;7(9): 1612-1620
- Ng et al. (2012). Food Chemistry; 134: 920-925
- Aggarwal et al. (2010). Biochem Pharmacol.; 80(11): 1613-1631.