The majority of people are affected by this heart disease over the course of their lives. More than 50 years of age have already been affected by this disease - a common disease.
A common complication is the narrowing of the carotid artery - carotid stenosis. Here the blood flow to the brain is hindered.
The teaching is that existing deposits (atherosclerosis) can no longer be removed (or only through mechanical intervention).
However, there are two studies that report a reduction in deposits:
Once through a massive reduction in cholesterol levels with very high doses of statins to 75 md/dl over two years. This resulted in a reduction of only 1%.
And then we have a successful study with tocotrienolsn.Here the data:
50 patients with carotid stenosis (from 15% to 79%) received either tocotrienols or placebo for 18 months. Development was measured with Doppler ultrasound after 6 and 12 months, as well as annually.
Of the 25 patients in the tocotrienol group, seven had improvement and two had worsening. In the placebo control group there was no improvement and in 10 of 25 a worsening (P < 0.002).
In addition, the measured blood values in the tocotrienol group improved clearly and significantly from 1.08 +-0.7 to 0.8 +- 0.55 (uM/L thiobarbituric acid, P < 0.05), while in the control group the values worsened clearly but insignificantly.
A nice success.
What was used there?
Tocotrienols from palm fruit were used, which show the following characteristic composition of the isomers: 28% alpha-tocopherol, 72% tocotrienols (mainly gamma-tocotrienol).
The daily amount was 4 capsules each 40 mg tocotrienol (i.e 160 mg tocotrienol), after 6 months the amount was increased to 240 mg tocotrienol (6 capsules) daily.
From today's perspective (the study is from 1995) one can note the following:
240 mg tocotrienols/day is now known as the optimal dose for the heart and circulation -> the amount is good.
The proportion of 28% alpha-tocopherol seems a bit high, as several studies have already shown that alpha-tocopherol proportions of 33% already reduce the effect of the tocotrienols to only 17% of the original value. If materials with less alpha-tocopherol were used, the results would be even better. Preparations made from annatto (contains no alpha-tocopherol) or alternative materials made from palm fruit, which are also available with 24% alpha-tocopherol, are ideal here.
If some patients in the tocotrienol group also took conventional vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), one must assume that the effect was greatly hindered by this.
Ma conclusion: By taking 180 to 240 mg of tocotrienol/day for 18 months, one can even hope to reduce narrowings of the carotid artery (carotid stenosis) and possibly also of the sclerotic lesions.
Link to study:PMID 8614310