In the previous article we presented the most important natural sources for tocotrienols:
Palm oil, annatto seeds and rice bran.
Tocotrienols are currently commercially extracted from these natural products. They differ significantly in the type of isomers they contain. This affects the possible applications.
First here is a list of the isomers. There are four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta). Through research, the main areas of application of the different types emerge.
| isomer | Notes | Occurrence in |
|---|---|---|
| alpha-tocotrienol | has the most interesting studies in neuron protection brain and nerves | Palm, rice |
| beta-tocotrienol |
Hardly researched, rarely occurring, probably similar to gamma |
Palm, rice |
| gamma-tocotrienol | dmt3, many successful studies on cancer treatment and anti-inflammatory, heart/circulation |
Palm, annatto, rice |
| delta-tocotrienol | dmt3, many successful studies on cancer treatment and anti-inflammatory, heart/circulation |
Annatto, <10% also in Palm and Rice |
| alpha-tocopherol | conventional vitamin E In higher doses it has a pro-oxidative effect and against the tocotrienols. If it is taken as aziges, in doses from "400 IU" it worsens the cancer statistics dramatically (see SELECT study) and increases cholesterol levels. |
24% in palm, 50% in rice |
Use the sources
tocotrienols from palm fruit (TRF)
These have been with the Tocomin brand the longest and most common on the market. Most capsules contain palm tocotrienols.
Palm vitamin E contains the most gamma-tocotrienol with 37% (the isomers) and plenty of alpha-tocotrienol with 24% and therefore covers the most important areas of application.
The disadvantage is the lack of delta-tocotrienol and the high proportion of alpha-tocopherol (also 24%).
The dmT3 content is 46%, there are no signs that the alpha-T3 could influence the effect of the dmT3, but the alpha-tocopherol does. Many studies were carried out (probably because of this) with isolated gamma-tocotrienol. But there are also many successful studies with palm vitamin E (the mixture of palm fruits). There is evidence that a reduction in theses contributes to the success in the field of cancer treatment and cholesterol reduction.
tocotrienols from rice oil
They are similar in composition to palm vitamin E, but have a significantly higher proportion of alpha-tocopherol (approx. 50%). What was said above in Palm Vitamin E applies, where the warning about alpha-tocopherol becomes much clearer. It is probably not suitable for lowering cholesterol (see studies).
It is particularly recommended to be used in low doses and/or on the skin.
tocotrienols from annatto seeds
They have only been on the market for a few years. Annatto seeds come from Central America and have been used there as a spice and health food for centuries.
Annatto-tocotrienols contain up to 99% dmT3-tocotrienols and are therefore particularly suitable for cancer treatment and anti-inflammatory properties. With them you get up to 90% ra delta-tocotrienol (plus 9% gamma-tocotrienol).
The content of the unfavorable alpha-tocopherol is less than 1%. This also makes it possible to reduce the alpha-tocopherol content by mixing it with palm tocotrienols.
The advantages of this approach are through a (US and EU)patent protected and described from 2004.