Recommended Use

Take one (1) softgel capsule a day or as recommended by your healthcare professional.

Precaution

Not recommended for children, pregnant and lactating women.  

Important: Consult a medical professional before taking supplements containing tocotrienol.

What makes Vitamin E important to my health in the first place?
Information sourced from Medical News Today

Historically, Vitamin E has been used to help repair damaged cells across different parts of the body, as well as treat Vitamin E deficiency in order to promote overall physical health and maintain a youthful look. Besides its antioxidant properties, Vitamin E has also shown great potential in helping slow down the progression of cell deterioration due to aging.

Vitamin E is a substance necessary for proper body and brain function. Scientific studies suggest that there are several health benefits to taking tocotrienols. These include:

• Improving fracture healing. Research on postmenopausal rats with osteoporosis showed that tocotrienols helped strengthen and more quickly heal bone fractures than other vitamin-E based supplements.
• Neuro-protective effects. Research on humans suggests that tocotrienols quickly and easily reach the brain, where they may improve brain function and health.
• Anticancer effects, and increased overall health. Research suggests that tocotrienols have an overall positive effect on human health, and specifically carry with them anticancer properties.
• Reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and lowering cholesterol levels. Tocotrienols may help slow the buildup of plaque in the arteries and decrease cholesterol levels.

What happens if I don’t have enough Vitamin E in my body?

Individuals may face an increased risk of oxidative stress, which occurs when the levels of free radicals and antioxidants within our bodies are not proportional or balanced. Having high levels of free radicals, for example, can overwhelm our immune system’s repair processes. In turn, this may accelerate the aging process and other health conditions.

Low levels of Vitamin E are also associated with the following health conditions:

1. Numbness. A Vitamin E deficiency can manifest through muscle and nerve damage, leading to tingling or a loss of feeling in body parts such as the arms and legs.
   
   
2. Loss of control with body movement. Muscle and nerve damage can impair an individual’s ability to perform simple movements like walking. It can also hamper body coordination.
   
   
3. Weakness in the muscles. Vitamin E is vital to brain and spinal cord function. Without this, individuals may be susceptible to oxidative stress that causes muscle weakness or even pain.
   
   
4. Vision impairment or decline. Without sufficient levels of Vitamin E, individuals have less protection against age-related vision problems like cataracts and macular degeneration.

What are tocotrienols?

Tocotrienols are a form of natural Vitamin E.  Natural Vitamin E is composed of eight distinct molecules. Four of these molecules are known as “tocopherols” and the other four are known as “tocotrienols.”

The main difference between tocopherols and tocotrienols is their chemical structure.

These structural variances manifest in tremendous differences functionally for these two distinct Vitamin E sub families.  The functional distinction between the two is demonstrated in several different ways, one of which is tocotrienols’ far superior antioxidant activity. 

Is tocotrienol better than tocopherol?

Existing studies suggest that compared to tocopherols, tocotrienols may better protect individuals from inflammation, aging, neurological diseases, cardiovascular illnesses and cancer.  It is also said to possess more potent antioxidant properties compared to tocopherol.

Further clinical research is needed to fully verify whether the health benefits of tocotrienols far outweigh those offered by tocopherols, but the initial findings are promising.

If I have a health problem, will tocotrienol help me?

Antioxidants like tocotrienol may help combat or reduce the risk of developing chronic illnesses, but this does not mean that they have been proven to resolve or cure individuals’ health conditions.

Hair and skin health

If there is an abundance of free radicals in the body, these can wreak havoc on the cells that make hair growth and repair possible. A study conducted in 2010 found that among people suffering from hair loss, those who took tocotrienol supplements saw an increase in hair growth of about 34.5%. Meanwhile, the control group that took a placebo supplement only saw an increase in hair growth of 0.1%.

There is also evidence suggesting that tocotrienol is very promising in helping protect the skin from sun exposure. 

Aging

When oxidative stress is left unchecked, not only can it contribute to a variety of health conditions, it can also accelerate or speed up the aging process—even when an individual is still at a young age. When oxidative stress persists long-term, it may inflict damage on the body’s DNA, cells, and eventually, organs.

Since tocotrienol is emerging as a potent form of Vitamin E, it may be able to inhibit aging at the cellular level. For instance, a clinical trial found that middle-aged and older adults who took tocotrienol supplements saw reduced DNA damage three to six months after the study. If consumed long-term, tocotrienol may help ensure that healthy individuals face only a slowed progression of the aging process through time.

Neurological or brain diseases

The brain is highly vulnerable to oxidative stress due to the high energy and oxygen that it needs in order to function properly. Oxidative stress affects the brain’s cells—neurons—which can thereby give rise to neurological decline and impair the central nervous system’s functions.

Research suggests that tocotrienol’s antioxidant properties can help protect individuals from ischaemic stroke and similar cerebrovascular disorders.

Cardiovascular or heart illnesses

Cardiovascular diseases are typically associated with various risk factors such as high blood pressure (hypertension), plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis), and high cholesterol. When met with oxidative stress, these can worsen the inflammation of the heart and impair the organ’s ability to function and pump blood through the body correctly and efficiently.

There is existing evidence that tocotrienols may help lower cholesterol levels—in particular, fight bad cholesterols (low-density lipoproteins) that can aggravate heart attacks or heart failures. For instance, a study found that tocotrienol’s molecular mechanism includes potentially slowing the progression of atherosclerosis better than the other form of Vitamin E, tocopherol.

Inflammation

Chronic or persistent inflammation is one of the harmful effects that oxidative stress can bring about. If left unchecked, it can give rise to numerous health complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis—thereby accelerating the aging process. This persistent inflammation is called inflammaging. Tocotrienol intake may thus help combat these unwanted effects. Studies have shown promise in tocotrienol’s potential to exhibit anti-inflammatory activities in the human body. 

I am not familiar with the term inflammaging. What happens to my body?

Our cells are hard at work 24/7, even when we are resting and sleeping. Most cells are strong enough to withstand the stress of ensuring proper bodily function, while others grow weak or die—giving rise to constant cellular inflammation. Because of this, our bodies are constantly replenishing our cells.

Free radicals, in large part, also contribute to cell aging. When levels of free radicals in the body are left uncontrolled, this means that there are not enough antioxidants to neutralize or destroy them. Eventually, cell aging accelerates the onset of diseases that may lead to organ damage or failure. 

How can I absorb more tocotrienol now?
Information sourced from Medical News Today and the Journal of Chemical Biology

Listed below are the dietary sources of tocotrienol:

1. Oats
2. Olive oil
3. Sunflower oil
4. Hazelnuts
5. Maize or corn

It is worth noting, however, that these foods contain low amounts of tocotrienol compared to dietary supplements. If you have pre-existing health conditions or experience bodily limitations, eating food rich in tocotrienol alone may not be enough. Taking dietary supplements is another way to increase tocotrienol levels in the body

How much tocotrienol am I supposed to be taking?

Supplemental tocotrienol is available either as capsules or as pills. The typical recommended dosage ranges from 15 milligrams to 100 milligrams per day. However, the National Institute of Health advises individuals to avoid taking more than 1,000 milligrams (or 1 gram) of tocotrienol daily, as it may place them at a higher risk of internal bleeding.

Are there any side effects I should consider?

Studies have yet to confirm whether tocotrienols will give rise to serious adverse effects. However, people with a history of food allergies must be wary of their tocotrienol supplement dosage intake.

According to WebMD, if this form of Vitamin E is consumed in large doses, it may cause the following side effects:

1. Nausea
2. Diarrhea
3. Stomach cramping
4. Fatigue
5. Dizziness
6. Blurred vision
7. Headache

While side effects rarely present upon intake of Vitamin E supplements, caution must still be exercised. If possible, consult with a health physician.

Will tocotrienol interact with my medications?

Seek medical advice if you are taking any blood-thinning medications and iron supplements before starting your course of tocotrienol supplements.

Further consultation with health professionals is also advised if there are any pre-existing, moderate, or life-threatening conditions that must be taken into consideration.