A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study has shown that a statistically significant percentage decrease in retinal microhemorrhages and diabetic macular edema could be achieved upon supplementation of EVNol SupraBio™ (encapsulated in softgels branded Tocovid SupraBio™).

Prolonged diabetes could lead to complication such as diabetic retinopathy. This occurs when there is a damage of blood vessels in the retina, resulting in vision impairment. Diabetic retinopathy could be classified into two major categories which are (i) non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and (ii) proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). NPDR represents the early stage of diabetic retinopathy that is frequently asymptomatic and is further categorized into mild, moderate, and severe stage depending on the severity of the vascular lesions. Meanwhile, PDR represent the late stage of diabetic retinopathy.

In this study, thirty (30) Type II diabetes patients with NPDR were randomized into 2 groups, (i) Placebo, and (ii) Intervention group that received EVNol SupraBio™ 200mg twice daily. The ophthalmic parameters and analytes of the patients were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of supplementation, and further reassessed at week 36 for long term effect after treatment cessation.

The result of this study shows that there is a statistically significant 41.9% (IQR 60.2) overall decrease in retinal microhemorrhages in the intervention group receiving bioenhanced full spectrum palm tocotrienol complex, EVNol SupraBio™, compared to 18.4% (IQR 89.0) decrease in the placebo. A subgroup analysis revealed that significant percentage decrease in area of retinal microhemorrhages in both mild and moderate NPDR by 25.8% (p = 0.019) and 59.8% (p = 0.021) respectively was also observed, from baseline to week 36. However, subgroup analysis of severe NPDR was excluded due to small sample size.

Interestingly, this study also assessed the long term effects of EVNol SupraBio™ on retinal microhemorrhages and diabetic macular edema (DME) up to 24 weeks after treatment cessation.

DME occurs when the accumulated fluid in the eye cause the eye’s macula to swell, resulting in blurred vision. There was a statistically significant 48.9% (IQR 63.7) overall decrease in DME in the EVNol SupraBio™ group compared to an increase of 25.1% (IQR 299.3) in the placebo group (p = 0.045), from baseline to week 36.  After treatment cessation, DME in the placebo group increased whereas progression of DME in the EVNol SupraBio™ group was inhibited.

This study led by Emeritus Professor Dr. Khalid Kadir, an endocrinologist from the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, is the first study to reveal the legacy effect of tocotrienol (EVNol SupraBio™) in improving NPDR by decreasing the size of retinal microhemorrhages and DME.

“The study of EVNol SupraBio™ in managing diabetic complications started in 2018. Within 4 years, we have observed positive results where supplementation of EVNol SupraBio™ is associated with improved diabetic nephropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy. The efficacy of EVNol SupraBio™ is further substantiated by its legacy effect as demonstrated in this study – underscoring the importance of choosing EVNol SupraBio™, tocotrienol with 3Bs (Bioavailability, Bioefficiency, Bioefficacy),” says Derek Ng, Chief Operating Officer of ExcelVite.

Reference

Ng EY, Chiew Y, Phang SCW, Ng YT, Tan GCJ, et al. (2021) The Effects of Vitamin E on Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Int J Diabetes Clin Res 8:142. doi. org/10.23937/2377-3634/1410142

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.

Related : Pilot Phase II Clinical Trial Shows EVNol SupraBio Benefits Diabetic Retinopathy