Tocotrienols

Tocotrienols: Vitamin E’s Powerful Cousins

If your vitamin E supplement contains only tocopherol forms, you may not be getting all of the benefits this nutrient has to offer. While tocopherols are very important, they lack many of the synergistic benefits provided by their cousins, the tocotrienols.

Few people realize that vitamin E is composed of eight different compounds. Half of these are called tocopherols, which are the most common form of vitamin E. The other half are known as tocotrienols.

Scientists are discovering that tocotrienols offer valuable therapeutic and preventive options for diseases of aging that tocopherols alone may not provide.

Tocotrienols are actually chemicals found in the vitamin E family. While tocotrienols can be found in the oils of palm fruit, barley, wheat germ, and rice bran, they are also available in supplement form. There are plenty of health benefits that you can get from them. Below, we will review some of them.

The Little-Known Benefits Of Tocotrienols

1. Support for Bone Healing & Stronger Bone Remodeling

Multiple animal studies have demonstrated that tocotrienols help maintain bone health by influencing the processes of fracture healing. Studies with osteoporotic rats have shown that tocotrienol supplements enhance fracture callus development and strengthen bone structure, while shortening the time required for late-stage healing compared to standard vitamin E (α-tocopherol) treatment. Postmenopausal women who received annatto tocotrienols in early clinical trials showed improved bone formation markers and reduced bone resorption markers, indicating a positive effect on bone remodeling. The available research suggests that tocotrienols have potential as a bone health supplement for humans, although studies on human fracture healing are still incomplete.

2. Cardiovascular Protection & Healthier Arteries

Tocotrienols demonstrate powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which also regulate cholesterol production through HMG-CoA reductase inhibition similar to statin medications. Research with animals that develop cardiovascular disease suggests that tocotrienols effectively reduce atherosclerotic plaque development while improving their blood lipid profiles. Research conducted with humans has produced inconsistent yet encouraging findings, as multiple small studies have demonstrated better oxidative stress management, higher HDL levels, and slower progression of carotid intima-media thickening. The available evidence suggests that tocotrienols may help protect cardiovascular health, although further research is needed to establish their effectiveness in preventing heart attacks.

3. Neuroprotection & Slower Brain Aging

Research on tocotrienols has yielded the most promising results in the study of brain health. The blood-brain barrier allows tocotrienols to enter the brain, where they show strong neuroprotective properties through their ability to reduce inflammation, enhance mitochondrial function, and defend against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. A two-year randomized controlled trial involving adults with white-matter lesions demonstrated that tocotrienol supplementation resulted in a reduction in lesion growth, as indicated by MRI results. The research shows that tocotrienols could defend the brain from aging-related damage because lesion growth leads to cognitive deterioration and increased stroke vulnerability.

4. Anticancer Activity & Cellular Protection

Research studies demonstrate that γ- and δ-isomers of Tocotrienols show the most potential as anticancer agents. The laboratory studies demonstrate that tocotrienols inhibit cancer cell growth, induce cell death, and block blood vessel formation and cancer spread in various types of cancer. The initial human clinical research indicates that tocotrienols have the potential to boost the performance of standard cancer treatments for patients with breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. The scientific community investigates tocotrienols as a potential natural compound for cancer treatment support, but patients should not use supplements instead of medical care.

Tocotrienols, like vitamin E, have demonstrated unique benefits for maintaining overall health. There have been no reported side effects, making it generally considered safe to take. With that being said, it is always best to consult with a registered health professional before making changes to your diet and adding supplements like this one.

References:

1. Abdul-Majeed S, et al. Combination therapy of lovastatin and tocotrienol improves fracture healing in osteoporotic rats. PLoS One. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23405230/ Shows significant improvements in callus strength and fracture healing with tocotrienols.
2. Norazlina M, et al. Palm tocotrienols accelerate bone fracture healing in ovariectomized rats. Pharmacology & Toxicology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19138447/ Demonstrates improved fracture repair in a postmenopausal bone-loss model.
3. Chin KY, et al. Annatto tocotrienol improves bone biomarkers in postmenopausal women. Nutrients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30469363/ Human RCT showing improved bone-formation markers and reduced bone resorption.
4. Qureshi AA, et al. Suppression of atherosclerosis by tocotrienols. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12824009/ Animal model showing reduced plaque formation and improved lipids.
5. Mudhafar M, et al. Effects of tocotrienol supplementation on lipid profiles: Systematic review & meta-analysis. Nutrition Reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31630183/ Human data showing modest HDL improvements; LDL effects inconsistent.
6. Kuhad A, et al. Tocotrienols: Cardioprotective roles and mechanisms. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Cardiology. PDF link Review covering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and HMG-CoA reductase–modulating effects.
7. Shin HH, et al. Tocotrienol-rich fraction slows progression of carotid intima-media thickness. Atherosclerosis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18534657/ Small clinical study showing slowed arterial thickening (atherosclerosis marker).
8. Gopalan Y, et al. Tocotrienol slows progression of white-matter lesions: 2-year RCT. Stroke. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20616334/ Human MRI study demonstrating significant neuroprotection.
9. Sen CK, et al. Neuroprotective properties of tocotrienols. Molecular Aspects of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19815032/ Comprehensive mechanistic review of tocotrienol effects on the brain.
10. Nesaretnam K, et al. Tocotrienol adjunct therapy in breast cancer: clinical observations. Nutrition & Cancer. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12519986/ Small clinical trial suggesting improved outcomes when combined with tamoxifen.
11. Springett GM, et al. Phase I trial of delta-tocotrienol in pancreatic neoplasia. Cancer Chemotherapy & Pharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26065562/ Human safety and biomarker study showing anticancer biological activity.
12. Sylvester PW. Mechanisms of anticancer effects of tocotrienols. Nutrients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28902163/ In-depth review on apoptosis, autophagy, and anti-metastasis pathways.

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