Research - Overview

In research and literature over the last century, alpha-tocopherol was almost exclusively considered and the 7 other vitamin E molecules, including the tocotrienols, were largely ignored. This is probably due to the finding that only alpha-tocopherol has a storage mechanism in the body.

In recent years, however, there have been a number of studies and research results that suggest a particular role for tocotrienols in various areas.

  • Tocotrienols can reduce skin damage caused by UV light.[2]
  • In the area arteriosclerosis:
    • T3 can inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the body.[5][6]
    • In a study on humans, T3 was even able to cause the plaques to regress.[7][8]
  • In the area Cancer-Prevention and treatment:
    • T3 selectively cause the death (Apoptosis) of cancer cells.[9]
    • Tocotrienols but not RRR-alpha-tocopherol were able to selectively cause the apoptosis of various cancer cells without affecting normal cells. And they increased the effect of the drug Tamoxifen significant.[10]
    • Tocotrienols suppress angiogenesis factors in human colon cancer cells.[11]
  • Diabetes:
    • The development of type 2diabetes could be reduced by a higher intake of antioxidants.[12]
  • Anti-aging: tocotrienols can (in contrast to tocopherols) have various life-extending (or “rejuvenating”) properties. In this way, they also protect proteins from the dangerous oxidation (ROS formation). In gerontological studies they have extended the lifespan of "Caenorhabditis elegans" creatures.[13]

Scientific references

The following list of footnotes refers to the original sources of the scientific studies to which the above text refers.

  1. ^Packer L, Weber SU, Rinbach G.:Molecular aspects of alpha-tocotrienol antioxidant action and cell signaling.J Nutr. 2001 Feb;131(2):369S-373S.C;Full text (English);PMID 11160563.
  2. ^Yamada et al.:Dietary tocotrienol reduces UVB-induced skin damage and sesamin enhances tocotrienol effects in hairless mice.J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2008 Apr;54(2):117-123;Full text (English);PMID 18490840.
  3. ^Wu SJ,et al.:tocotrienol-rich fraction of palm oil exhibits anti-inflammatory property by suppressing the expression of inflammatory mediators in human monocytic cells. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Aug;52(8):921-929;PMID 18481320.
  4. ^ Khanna S, Roy S, Slivka A, Craft T, Chaki S, Rink C, Notestine M, DeVries A, Parinandi N, Sen C:Neuroprotective properties of the natural vitamin E alpha-tocotrienol. In:Stroke. 36, no. 10, 2005, pp. 2258–2264.doi:10.1161/01.STR.0000181082.70763.22.PMID 16166580
  5. ^Lowering of serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic humans by tocotrienols (palmvitee);PMID 2012010.
  6. ^Dietary tocotrienols reduce concentrations of plasma cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, thromboxane B2, and platelet factor 4 in pigs with inherited hyperlipidemias;PMID 2012015.
  7. ^Antioxidant effects of tocotrienols in patients with hyperlipidemia and carotid stenosis.PMID 8614310
  8. ^ Reversing Arteriosclerosis with tocotrienols: An interview with Marvin Bierenbaum, M.D. and Tom Watkins, Ph.D.
  9. ^Vitamin E and Breast Cancer J Nutr. 2004 Dec;134(12 Suppl):3458S-3462S.;PMID 15570054.
  10. ^Guthrie N, Gapor A, Chambers AF, Carroll KK:Inhibition of Proliferation of Oestrogen Receptor-Negative MDA-MB-435 and -Positive MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells by Palm Oil tocotrienols and Tamoxifen, Alone and in Combination1997 Mar;127(3):544S-548S;PMID 9082043.
  11. ^Shibata, et al.:tocotrienol inhibits secretion of angiogenic factors from human colourectal adenocarcinoma cells by suppressing hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha..J Nutr. 2008 Nov;138(11):2136-2142;PMID 18936210.
  12. ^ Montonen J, Knekt P, Jarvinen R, et al. (2004). Dietary antioxidant intake and risk of type 2 diabetes. DIABETES CARE 27(2):362-366.

  13. tocotrienols: Constitutional Effects in Aging and Disease Full text

Source: Wikipedia

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