20 Years of Palm Tocotrienol and Brain Health Research
Tocotrienol & Brain Health
Our Brain acts as a control center that regulates our body biological events such as respiration and metabolism processes. The brain contains high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), making it very susceptible to free radical-mediated oxidative stress that negatively affects brain health [1]. When compared to other organs, the brain requires higher amount of oxygen to cater for its metabolic demand [2]. However, this also would lead to higher risk of oxidative stress towards the PUFAs which in turn could damage the neuron. Therefore, lipid soluble antioxidants such as vitamin E (Tocopherols and Tocotrienols) are crucial to minimize oxidative stress and support healthy brain function.
The first neuroprotective action of tocotrienol was reported back in year 2000 where extremely low concentration of alpha-tocotrienol (nanomolar, 10-9) promoted complete recovery of neurons even when alpha-tocotrienol was introduced several hours after the glutamate-induced injury [3]. Interestingly, this benefit was not observed in the commonly-studied alpha-tocopherol. This promising result marked a significant turning point in tocotrienol’s research because researchers and scientists then started to investigate the benefits of tocotrienol in promoting healthy brain function.
To celebrate 20 years of full spectrum palm tocotrienol brain health research, a collection of resources are added to this page so that readers will have a better understanding on how this special form of palm vitamin E address important brain health matters.
Part I : Prof. Chandan Sen reviewed palm tocotrienol’s properties and its potential
Part II : Prof. Chandan Sen discussed palm tocotrienol’s research phases based on FDA’s clinical trial
Part III : Prof. Chandan Sen shared the potential of palm tocotrienol in brain health
Part IV : Prof. Chandan Sen shared the safety and side effect findings of palm tocotrienols
Part V : Prof. Chandan Sen explained whether tocotrienol can be taken together with Plavix (a blood thinner)