Tocotrienols are occasionally offered on the market with “300% increased effectiveness”. What is to be thought of this?
This is the SEDDS process (self-emulsifying drug delivery systems). Here tocotrienols are mixed with emuglators. In fact, studies show a 3-fold better absorption of the tocotrienols in the intestine. But only after fasting for more than 14 hours, as the bile that is released after each meal has a comparably good effect.
The process is described by a Patent from 2000 (manufacturer HOVID with the name suprabio®). In the graphic You can clearly see the 3-fold increase in absorption through the emulsifiers. In the same study you can also see that the addition of oils had the same 300% effect (graphic).
After overnight fasting (10 days) without a breakfast, the test subjects received tocotrienols with othe without emulsifier; and for another 4 there was only water but no food until midday. It has been confirmed that fat-soluble vitamins require fat for absorption (which is already known) and that emulsifiers (phospholipids) can replace fats.
Risks:
In February 2015, a study was published that demonstrated the worrying effects of emulsifiers on the intestinal flora, the protective layer of the intestinal villi, intestinal inflammation (collitis) and weight gain (Article date,goal study). The same emulsifier that is currently used in most capsules was tested (TWEEN-80 or Polysorbate-80). This emulsifier, which was previously considered harmless, is also used in many other foods.
spread:
The tocotrienols currently available on the market in capsule form (see Market overview) consist in the majority ofTocomin®suprabio®, which are tocotrienols extracted from raw palm oil with emulsifiers.
Summary:
It is not an increased effectiveness, but rather an improved absorption during fasting periods from 14 hours forward. If the tocotrienols are taken in capsules, these emulsifiers actually have an advantage, since one does not know whether food or the oil are available in the near future.
When you take the tocotrienols together with some oil or food, emulsifiers make no difference. The emulsifiers used may pose a health risk to the intestinal wall.