Vitamin E Tocotrienols Benefits for Heart Health – Benefits and Sources

Heart disease is a significant health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. High cholesterol levels are a common risk factor associated with heart disease. While there are various approaches to managing cholesterol levels, one lesser-known but highly effective solution is tocotrienols.

In this blog, we’ll explore the remarkable benefits of tocotrienols for heart health, particularly their ability to address high cholesterol and related heart disease symptoms.

What are Tocotrienol Vitamin E?

Tocotrienols are members of the vitamin E family, consisting of four naturally occurring isomers: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocotrienol. They are distinguished by their chemical structure, which features a shorter, unsaturated tail with three double bonds, making them more flexible compared to tocopherols.

Key Highlights:

• Potent Antioxidants: Tocotrienols are known for their strong antioxidant properties, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
• Health Benefits: Research suggests natural vitamin E tocotrienols may offer several health benefits, including neuroprotective effects, support for cardiovascular health, potential anti-cancer properties, and skin health benefits.
• Bioavailability: They have higher bioavailability and are more efficiently utilized by the body than tocopherols. Their unique structure allows more effective penetration and distribution in the body’s tissues.
• Sources: Tocotrienols are less common in the average diet and are primarily found in certain oils like palm oil, rice bran oil, and annatto.
• Emerging Research: Although research on tocotrienols is not as extensive as tocopherols, emerging studies reveal their unique health potentials, making them a growing scientific interest.

Best Tocotrienols Vitamin E – Tocopherols vs Tocotrienols

Unlike tocopherols, tocotrienols have an unsaturated side chain, contributing to their different functional properties. While tocopherols are more commonly found and studied, tocotrienols are gaining recognition for their potentially superior antioxidant capacity and unique health benefits.

Additionally, tocopherols, especially alpha-tocopherol, can interfere with the function and absorption of tocotrienols, which is a key consideration when considering vitamin E supplementation.

The table below outlines the key differences between tocotrienols and tocopherols, highlighting the unique differences –

Benefits of Tocotrienols for Heart Health

Heart disease remains one of the most prevalent and concerning health issues worldwide, with high cholesterol levels being a significant risk factor. Emerging research sheds light on a potent ally in this fight, tocotrienols.

These lesser-known members of the vitamin E family possess remarkable cardiovascular benefits that extend beyond traditional antioxidants.

Let’s now look at how tocotrienols benefit heart health:

1. Maintenance of Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Tocotrienols, especially gamma- and delta-tocotrienols, have been extensively studied for their ability to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. They play a crucial role in managing LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.

Delta-tocotrienol, in particular, has shown impressive results in supporting cholesterol management.

Research from 2016 has revealed that it can help reduce LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, while also promoting HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol. [1]

2. Metabolic Health

Metabolic health is an essential aspect of overall cardiovascular well-being. It encompasses weight management, triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and glucose metabolism.

Tocotrienols, particularly gamma- and delta-tocotrienols, offer support for metabolic health. These compounds can enhance vascular and cardiometabolic integrity, crucial for maintaining healthy blood glucose and triglyceride levels.

Animal studies have shown that tocotrienol supplementation can promote healthy blood glucose levels and manage weight. These findings have been replicated in human clinical studies, demonstrating the potential for tocotrienols to support metabolic health. [2]

3. Blood Vessel Wall Function – Arterial Health

Tocotrienols significantly impact arterial health, playing a role in regulating cellular adhesion molecules and monocytic cell adherence.

Among the tocotrienol isomers, delta-tocotrienol has displayed the most profound effect in maintaining arterial health. It has been suggested that delta-tocotrienol achieves this by inhibiting the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1).

By supporting arterial health, tocotrienols help prevent plaque build-up in the arteries, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, and ultimately support overall cardiovascular health. [3]

4. Healthy Blood Pressure

Antioxidants are known for supporting healthy blood pressure levels and maintaining the integrity and tone of blood vessels. Vitamin E, including tocotrienols, is recognized for its antioxidant properties.

Studies in both animals and humans have shown that tocotrienols, especially gamma-tocotrienol, can support healthy blood pressure levels, maintain optimal levels of nitric oxide synthase activity, and contribute to total antioxidant status. [4]

Annatto Plant Tocotrienols: Why Annatto is the Superior Source?

Annatto is derived from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), a tropical plant native to South and Central America. It’s widely recognized for its vibrant red-orange pigment, traditionally used as a dye in food and textiles.

Beyond its color, Annatto is esteemed for its health benefits, particularly its rich source of tocotrienols, a form of Vitamin E. Annatto stands out as the best source of tocotrienols, contributing significantly to the vitamin E tocotrienols benefits.

Delineated are the reasons why Annatto is superior to other sources of Vitamin E –

• Pure Tocotrienols: Unlike other sources that mix tocotrienols with tocopherols, Annatto exclusively provides tocotrienols. This purity makes it the best tocotrienols vitamin E source, free from the interference of tocopherols, which can diminish the effectiveness of tocotrienols.
• High Delta-Tocotrienol Content: Annatto is unique in that it primarily contains delta and gamma tocotrienols, which are believed to be the most potent forms of Vitamin E.
• Absence of Alpha-Tocopherol: Alpha-tocopherol, found in many other Vitamin E sources, can interfere with the absorption and function of tocotrienols. Annatto’s lack of alpha-tocopherol enhances its efficacy.
• Potent Antioxidant Activity: Annatto-derived tocotrienols offer powerful antioxidant protection. They offer protection against oxidative stress, supporting cellular health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
• Cardiovascular Benefits: Studies have highlighted the potential of Annatto tocotrienols in supporting heart health, reducing cholesterol levels, and improving arterial compliance.
• Neuroprotective Effects: The tocotrienols from Annatto may offer protective benefits for brain health, including reducing the risk of stroke and aiding in the recovery of neural functions post-stroke.
• Cancer-Fighting Potential: Emerging research suggests that Annatto tocotrienols may have anti-cancer properties, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells without harming normal cells.

Tocotrienol Vitamin E in DeltaGold Technology

Dr. Barrie Tan is renowned as a pioneering scientist in the field of Vitamin E research. He is recognized for his extensive work on tocotrienols and tocopherols, the components of Vitamin E.

Dr. Tan’s groundbreaking research has led to significant advancements in understanding Vitamin E’s role in human health, particularly through the development of DeltaGold Technology.

What is DeltaGold Technology?

DeltaGold Technology is a patented process developed by Dr. Barrie Tan for extracting tocotrienols, particularly Delta and Gamma tocotrienols, from Annatto seeds.

This technology ensures a high concentration and pure vitamin E form – tocotrienols, free from tocopherols, which are commonly found in other Vitamin E sources and can interfere with the efficacy of tocotrienols.

How DeltaGold Technology Offer The Most Effective Vitamin Form – Tocotrienols?

• Purity: DeltaGold Technology offers tocotrienols in their purest form, devoid of alpha-tocopherol, which is known to hinder the absorption and effectiveness of tocotrienols.
• High Concentration of Delta-Tocotrienols: It focuses on extracting Delta-Tocotrienols, considered the most potent form of Vitamin E for their superior antioxidant properties.
• Enhanced Bioavailability: The unique extraction process ensures that the tocotrienols are easily absorbed and utilized by the body.
• Scientifically Validated: Dr. Barrie Tan’s research and clinical studies back the efficacy of DeltaGold tocotrienols, providing a credible foundation for their health benefits.

DeltaGold Technology stands out as the best tocotrienols vitamin E due to its purity, concentration of potent tocotrienols, and the credibility of Dr. Barrie Tan’s research.

The benefits of this technology in producing high-quality Vitamin E supplements are evident, contributing significantly to the vitamin E tocotrienols benefits.

Conclusion

Tocotrienols, particularly delta-tocotrienol, present a promising avenue for maintaining heart health and preventing heart disease symptoms. You can optimize the cardiovascular benefits of vitamin E tocotrienols by choosing supplements with high gamma- and delta-tocotrienol content and minimal alpha-tocopherol.

The research of Dr. Barrie Tan and others in this field continues to shed light on the vital role tocotrienols play in supporting heart health and overall well-being. Consider including tocotrienols in your daily health regimen to unlock their full potential in safeguarding cardiovascular health.

Best Tocotrienols Vitamin E – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Chin, Kok-Yong, Kok-Lun Pang, and Ima-Nirwana Soelaiman. “Tocotrienol and its role in chronic diseases.” Anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals and chronic diseases (2016): 97-130.
2. Wong, Sok Kuan, et al. “Effects of tocotrienol on osteocyte-mediated phosphate metabolism in high-carbohydrate high-fat diet-induced osteoporotic rats.” Journal of Functional Foods 96 (2022): 105213.
3. Musa, Ahmad Farouk, et al. “evaluation of a randomized controlled trial using Tocotrienol, an isomer of Vitamin E derived from palm oil, on the prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.” artery (2018): 215.
4. Wong, Weng-Yew, et al. “Tocotrienols reverse cardiovascular, metabolic and liver changes in high carbohydrate, high fat diet-fed rats.” Nutrients 4.10 (2012): 1527-1541.

Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides generic information only. It is not a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. Ingredient Fact does not claim responsibility for this information.