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 tocotrineols 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.