Article Source : MPOC

Vitamin E comprised of 2 subgroups namely the Tocotrienols and Tocopherols. Tocopherols are present in common vegetable oils such as soya and corn while tocotrienols are common in cereal grains such as rye (92mg/kg), oat (210mg/kg), rice bran (465mg/kg) and barley (910mg/kg). Tocotrienols are also in abundance in palm oil (940mg/kg). Palm oil also has the highest content of Vitamin E among oils and fats.  Several studies have shown shown that tocotrienols possess unique biological properties including higher antioxidant potency and provides greater health benefits than the α-tocopherol form of vitamin E.

During the recently concluded Palm International Nutra-Cosmeceutical Conference (PINC 2017), speakers highlighted recent breakthroughs in palm tocotrienols research and the current clinical practices of using palm tocotrienols for disease management. Some of the highlights are –

1. Tocotrienols for Hair Health

  • Studies show inducement of hair growth1

2. Tocotrienols for Neuro Health

  • Mixed tocotrienols reduces progression of white matter lesion1
  • Palm tocotrienols isoforms helps to reduce NO production by microglia2
  • Palm tocotrienols are neuroprotective2
  • Palm tocotrienols protect neurons not only via its antioxidative properties but also via anti-inflammatory action2

3. Tocotrienols for Heart Health

  • Aids plasma cholesterol reduction in humans’1
  • Helps to prevent the formation of atherosclerotic lesions1
  • Higher antioxidant potency than α-tocopherol by 40-60 times1

4. Tocotrienols for Peptic Ulcer Therapy

  • Reduces oxidative stress that contributes to formation of gastric lesions7
  • Tests in animal showed that the degree of peptic ulcer disease is reduced when palm tocotrienols are incorporated into the diet7
  • Tocotrienols protects against gastric ulcers disease7

5. Tocotrienols for Bone Health

  • Palm tocotrienols demonstrate protective effects against osteoporosis3
  • The γ- and δ-tcotrienols are the most effective isomers in maintaining bone structure and strength3
  • Improves bone volume and thickness and reduces bone porosity3

6. Tocotrienols for Muscle Health

  • Tocotrienols are beneficial for ameliorating muscle degeneration in aging or muscular disease5
  • Tocotrienols differ structurally from tocopherols which enables them to penetrate membranes easily and exert a more potent antioxidant effect than tocopherols5
  • Tocotrienols facilitate membrane repair by enabling the regenerative action of phospholipids, which are major components of cell membranes5

7. Tocotrienols for Prostate Health

  • Gamma tocotrienol demonstrated an ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation in prostate cancer6
  • Gamma tocotrienol inhibit growth of prostate cancer stem cells6

8. Tocotrienols for Liver Health

  • Showed significant improvement when used in treating Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)1

9. Tocotrienols for Skin Health

  • Reduces wrinkling and oxidative stress1
  • Provides protection against long wave ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation that causes skin aging1
  • Essential ingredient in cosmetics formulations for scar reduction and acceleration of wound healing1
  • Increases skin moisture and elasticity1
  • Reduces swelling under eyes1
  • Promotes radiant skin1
  • Induces lower “biological age” in consumers. The higher the Telomere score, the younger the cells are.1

10. Tocotrienols for Immune Health

  • Increases the concentration of anti-TT IgG antibody in patients prone to immune dysfunction and auto-immunity disorder1
  • Reduces inflammation caused by IL-6 production1

Many animal and human studies show that tocotrienols are useful against inflammation – associated diseases. Besides its function related to its antioxidant properties, tocotrienols also exhibits other biological properties including neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and cholesterol lowering effects. The potential of tocotrienols is vast and beneficial in many aspects; thus it could ideally be used as a first line therapy and clinical purposes.

References:

1. Bryce Wylde, Consumer Perception And Pick-up: Where We Are At And Where We Should Be. Paper presented at the Palm International Nutra-Cosmeceutical Conference (PINC 2017), 31st July – 1st August 2017, Le Meridien, Putrajaya. 

2. Dr. Sharmili Vidyadaran, Tocotrienols and their effects on microglia: implications for brain inflammatory conditions. Paper presented at the Palm International Nutra-Cosmeceutical Conference (PINC 2017), 31st July – 1st August 2017, Le Meridien, Putrajaya. 

3. Prof. Dr. Ima Nirwana Soelaiman, Effect of individual tocotrienol isomers on bone cells in a 3D cell culture system. Paper presented at the  Palm International Nutra-Cosmeceutical Conference (PINC 2017), 31st July – 1st August 2017, Le Meridien, Putrajaya. 

4. Dr. Nur Azlina Mohd. Fahami, Palm Vitamin E: A Potential Therapy for Peptic Ulcer Disease. Paper presented at the Palm International Nutra-Cosmeceutical Conference (PINC 2017), 31st July – 1st August 2017, Le Meridien, Putrajaya. 

5. Prof. Dr. Suzana Makpol, Tocotrienool Promotes Myogenic Differentiation in the Prevention of Replicative Senescence of Myoblasts. Paper presented at the Palm International Nutra-Cosmeceutical Conference (PINC 2017), 31st July – 1st August 2017, Le Meridien, Putrajaya. 

6. Dr. Patrick Ling , Dissecting the Mechanism Responsible for the Anti-Cancer Stem Cell Properties of Gamma-Tocotrienol. Paper presented at the Palm International Nutra-Cosmeceutical Conference (PINC 2017), 31st July – 1st August 2017, Le Meridien, Putrajaya. 

Source : MPOC

Disclaimer: The statements in the above article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.