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| Q1: What are
tocotrienols? |
A: Tocotrienols are
part of the Vitamin E family. Tocotrienols have
similar structure to tocopherols
(Alpha-Tocopherol as the most common Vitamin E in
the market), but contain three double bonds in
the carbon side chain of the molecule. The
Vitamin E family is comprised of eight different
compounds : alpha, beta, gamma and delta-
tocotrienols and tocopherols.
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| Q2: Where do
tocotrienols come from? |
A: Tocotrienols are
naturally present in most plants. They are found
mostly in palm oil extracted from palm fruits.
Other sources are rice, wheat germ, oat and
barley.
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| Q3: What are the
proven health benefits of tocotrienols? |
A: The proven
additional health benefits (by over 128 research
papers in human, animal models and in-vitro) are:
- Palm
based tocotrienols have been shown by the
Kenneth Jordan Heart Foundation (US) in a
double-blind human study to have the
ability to reverse arteriosclerosis. Palm
based tocotrienols have the ability to
reverse blockage of the carotid artery
and hence, reduce the risk of stroke and
arteriosclerosis.
- Tocotrienols
have been shown by human and animal
studies to have the ability to reduce the
production of total serum cholesterols.
They inhibit the enzyme HMG-Co A
Reductase in the liver that is
responsible for the production of
cholesterols. Tocopherols have no effect
on serum cholesterol.
- Tocotrienols
are very much more potent antioxidant
than tocopherols. It has been shown by
published research paper that
alpha-tocotrienol is 40-60 times more
potent than alpha-tocopherol in the
prevention of lipid peroxidation.
Delta-tocotrienol is the most potent of
all the commercially available
tocotrienols.
- In
a recent article published in Clin. Exp.
Hypertens. (1999), found that tocotrienol
is an effective natural agent to prevent
increased in blood pressure in
spontaneously hypertensive rats. It also
enhanced total antioxidant status in
plasma and blood vessels.
- Tocotrienols
especially delta and gamma-tocotrienols
have been shown to inhibit certain type
of cancers especially human breast cancer
cells. Palm based tocotrienols have been
shown by four different research centers
in the world to have the ability to
inhibit both the estrogen positive and
estrogen negative breast cancer cells. In
those studies, alpha tocopherol has no
effect at all on human breast cancer
cells.
- Palm
based tocotrienols have been proven to
inhibit platelet aggregation. Alpha
tocopherol does not.
- Tocotrienols,
with their unsaturated side chain, allow
them to pass through the membrane
bi-layer (mainly made up of unsaturated
fatty acid) in a more efficient manner
and faster rate compared to the all
saturated tocopherol. Hence facilitating
the absorption of tocotrienols.
- Palm
based tocotrienols have also been shown
by the University of California, Berkeley
to be effective in preventing protein
oxidation and lipid peroxidation after a
strenuous bout of exercise. Athletes
especially body builders and sprinters
generate tremendous amount of free
radicals in their body. Hence,
tocotrienols being a very potent
antioxidant and vitamin E, protects
athletes and body builders against
protein and lipid peroxidation.
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| Q4: Which of
the proven health benefits were carried out
clinically on human? |
A: The various
human studies and dosage used in these studies
specifically for a therapeutic condition are:
- Since
the early 1990s, there were hints that
antioxidants could have some effect in
showing regression of arteriosclerosis
(improvement of artery health and blood
flow). Dr Anthony Verlangieri of the
Atherosclerosis Laboratory at the
University of Mississippi published his
research in reversing atherosclerosis in
monkeys with antioxidant nutrients. A
report in JAMA in 1995 showed that
antioxidant vitamins slowed progression
of coronary atherosclerosis. In a
three-year, double-blind clinical study
at the Kenneth Jordan Heart Foundation,
New Jersey, on 50 patients with Carotid
Stenosis (blockage of the carotid artery,
the main artery that supplies blood to
the brain), patients were given a
supplementation of 240mg palm based
tocotrienols per day. Within 6 months,
92% of the patients had an improvement in
their blood flow through the carotid
artery, indicating the ability of palm
based tocotrienols to reverse artery
blockage and improve artery health.
- Palm
based tocotrienols have been proven by
numerous human and animal studies to have
the ability to inhibit cholesterol
production in the liver. Tocotrienols
especially the delta-tocotrienol are
potent and effective natural antioxidant
nutrients to have the ability to inhibit
the key enzyme that is responsible for
cholesterol production in the body: HMG
Co A Reductase. In human cholesterol
lowering human studies, mild
hypercholesterolemia patients were given
a supplementation of 200mg palm based
tocotrienols per day. Significant
reduction of total serum cholesterol was
observed within 6 to 8 weeks. The
reduction of total serum cholesterol was
between 15-33% whereas the HDL level was
no affected. In another cross-over human
study carried out at the Science
University of Malaysia, randomly picked
subjects with uncontrolled diet was given
supplementation of 100mg palm
tocotrienols per day. Within 8 to 10
weeks, there was a significant reduction
of 10-12% of total cholesterol level in
the group that received
tocotrienols.
- There
are four reputable research centers that
are currently furthering their research
on the ability of palm tocotrienols to
inhibit both the estrogen positive and
negative human breast cancer cells. The
research centers are University of
Reading, UK, University of Louisiana,
University of Western Ontario, and Palm
Oil Research Institute of Malaysia
(PORIM). At the moment, research is
focused on elucidating the mechanism of
inhibition of breast cancer cells by
tocotrienols, In addition, the University
of Wisconsin is currently carrying out
studies on the inhibitory effect of
tocotrienols on hepatocarcinogenesis.
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| Q5: Were the
studies mentioned above carried out with palm
based tocotrienols? This is because of the
significant different in ratio of tocotrienols to
tocopherol in palm based tocotrienols (3.5:1)
compared to rice based tocotrienols (1:1).
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A: Almost all of
the in-vitro, animal, human studies published so
far, on the health benefits of tocotrienols was
carried out with palm based tocotrienols. Palm
based tocotrienols have very different chemistry
and contents from rice based tocotrienols. The
ratio of tocotrienols to tocopherol in palm based
tocotrienols is very much higher at 3.5 to 1.0.
In rice base tocotrienols, it is approximately
1.0 to 1.0. In addition, palm based tocotrienols
contains additional phytonutrients such as
phytosterols (which have been shown to prevent
absorption of cholesterol in the intestine) and
plant squalene (strong antioxidant) that are
naturally extracted together with tocotrienols
from the fruits of oil palm.
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| Q6: The
above human studies were for therapeutic
conditions. Is there a RDA for tocotrienols? |
A: At the moment,
there is no RDA for tocotrienols. It was only in
the early 1980s that research scientist all over
the world, started to look seriously into this
new vitamin E. As the scientific evidence of
tocotrienols is relatively new, the US FDA and US
Pharmacopeia have not assigned vitamin E activity
to tocotrienols. All the human and animal studies
have been based on milligram of pure tocotrienols
per day basis.
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| Q7: What is
then the recommended daily dosage for people
(normal everyday people) without any therapeutic
condition but would like to have the benefits and
protection of this new super vitamin E, palm
phyto-tocotrienols? |
| A: So far, dosages
of palm tocotrienols in human studies were for a
specific therapeutic condition –
hypercholesterolemia, carotid stenosis and breast
cancer at high dosages of tocotrienols.
Individual who are interested in enhancing their
antioxidant status as part of a long term
nutritional plan should consider a moderate use
levels. For these people who want to maintain a
healthy level of cholesterol, a healthy heart and
cardio vascular condition and breast health, the
consensus among tocotrienol research scientists
was a dosage of 30-50mg/day. Commercial
dietary supplements currently offer daily
supplementation of tocotrienols from 20-60mg for
healthy adults. Dr Asaf Qureshi (University of
Wisconsin – the first research scientist to
show that tocotrienols found in barley have the
ability to lower total serum cholesterol), in his
article titled “The Mutitherapeutic
Properties of Palm Oil and its Novel Vitamin
E” quoted that daily intake of 34-42.5mg of
pure tocotrienols obtained from palm oil will
provide enough tocotrienols for all the health
benefits associated with them.
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| Q8: Why
should anyone take tocotrienols? I'm already
taking tocopherol Vitamin E. |
A: Individuals
interested in enhancing their antioxidant status
should take tocotrienols. Most Vitamin E
supplements contain only alpha-tocopherol whereas
palm based tocotrienols contain tocotrienols,
phytosterols (proven to prevent absorption of
cholesterol), squalene (a powerful antioxidant)
and carotenoids. A combination of all these
phytonutrients in which recent research have
suggested may be highly effective in the overall
maintenance of health.
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| Q9: What can
I expect from taking tocotrienols regularly? |
A: The effect of
antioxidants, and likewise tocotrienols, only
become apparent in the long term. Supplementing
daily with tocotrienols will result in the
reduction in cholesterol level and reduce the
risk of free-radical degenerative diseases.
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| Q10: How are
tocotrienols absorbed in the body? |
A: Tocotrienols are
fat soluble. It is absorbed in the same manner as
fat, just like other fat-soluble vitamins (A,D
and K) and phytonutrients like carotenoids. The
absorption of these compounds is dependent on the
physiological processes in the stomach and small
intestines, induced by food, especially fat
intake. Only when sufficient pancreatic juice and
bile are secreted to emulsify the fat and fat
soluble vitamins do we get satisfactory
absorption. Since factors such as foods and fat
intake tend to be variable, the absorption of
fat-soluble nutrients will also be variable.
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| Q11: Being a
vitamin E and since vitamin E is extensively used
in cosmetics and personal care products, what
proven benefits do tocotrienols have on
prevention of skin aging and skin damage by
ultra-violet rays? |
| A: The idea of
using tocotrienols in cosmetic and personal care
products is fairly new and recent. Being a more
potent vitamin E, research scientists especially
at the University of California, Berkeley, have
started to investigate the additional benefits of
tocotrienols over the alpha tocopherol vitamin E
in the prevention of skin aging and skin damage.
A
study conducted at the University of California,
Berkeley showed that diet-derived or topically
applied tocotrienols preferentially accumulate at
the strata corneum of defense against free
radicals generated by exposure to environment
agents such as sun ray (UV), ozone, chemicals,
etc.
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| Q12: Why is
delta-tocotrienol the most potent of all
commercially available tocotrienol ?
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| A: If you look at
the molecular structure of tocotrienol, it has a
chromanol ring as the head and an unsaturated
phytyl side chain as the tail. The number of
methyl groups attached to the carbon position 5,
7 and 8 on the head denotes the four isomers of
tocotrienols – alpha, beta, gamma and
delta. Alpha-tocotrienol has
three methyl groups attached to the chromanol
ring, beta and gamma-tocotrienols have two methyl
groups and last but not least delta-tocotrienol
with only one methyl group attached to the carbon
position 8.
The
antioxidant activity of tocotrienols depends on
the ease and availability of the hydroxyl group
(attached to carbon position 6 on the chromanol
ring) to donate its electron to neutralize the
highly reactive free radicals. Tocotrienols exert
its antioxidant capability by donating the
electron from the hydroxyl group on carbon
position 6. As such, the efficiency and
effectiveness of a particular tocotrienol in
neutralizing free radicals (antioxidant activity)
depends on the relative ease of the hydroxyl
group to donate its electron.
Now, if
you look at alpha-tocotrienol, it has three
methyl groups which are located very near to the
hydroxyl group. The “crowding effect”
of these three methyl groups creates steric
hindrance for the hydroxyl group to donate its
electron to neutralize the free radicals.
Crowding raises energy of the transition state
and slows down the reaction. In comparison, beta
and gamma-tocotrienol have two methyl groups,
hence the effect of the steric hindrance is lower
compared to alpha-tocotrienol – meaning a
higher antioxidant activity than
alpha-tocotrienol.
Delta-tocotrienol
with only one methyl group attached to the
chromanol ring has the least steric hindrance for
its hydroxyl group to donate electron to
neutralize free radicals. As such,
delta-tocotrienol has the highest antioxidant
potency compared to alpha, beta and
gamma-tocotrienols.
Due to
the least “crowding effect”, the
hydroxyl group on the delta-tocotrienol readily
donates its electron to neutralize free radicals,
making it the most potent antioxidant of all
commercially available tocotrienols.
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| Q13: Are
there any research papers to show us that
delta-tocotrienol is the most potent antioxidant?
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A: Published
research studies which showed delta-tocotrienol
is the most potent of the tocotrienol isomers:
- University
of Reading, UK (Lipids, 1998(33)) found
that delta-tocotrienol is the most potent
tocotrienol in inhibiting estrogen
negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer
cells.
- Dr
Charles Elson (Patent – WO
98/38993), found the anti-carcinogenic
activity of tocotrienols increase in the
order alpha-tocopeherol <
alpha-tocotrienol < gamma tocotrienol
< delta-tocotrienol.
- University
of Texas (Nutrition and Cancer, 1999
33(1)), found that delta-tocotrienol is
the most potent in inducing apoptosis
(cell deaths) of estrogen-responsive MCF7
and estrogen-nonresponsive MDA-MB-435
human breast cancer cells. In fact the
potency of delta-tocotrienol is twice
that of gamma-tocotrienol.
- University
of Hawaii (in a yet to be published
research paper / will be presented at the
American Association for Clinical
Chemistry, July 2000), found that
delta-tocotrienol is the most effective
vitamin E for reducing the endothelial
expression of adhesion modecules, hence
as a means to reduce the risk of
developing cardiovascular disease.
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| Q14: Why are
there not many research carried out with
delta-tocotrienol? |
A: The reason why
not many research was carried out with
delta-tocotrienol is due to the simple fact that
delta-tocotrienol is scarce and only available in
limited level and sources. Rice based tocotrienol
does not or have negligible level of
delta-tocotrienol.
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| Q15: What
about gamma-tocotrienol? |
A: As far as
cholesterol reduction is concerned (not
antioxidant activity), both the gamma-tocotrienol
and delta-tocotrienol are as effective (Dr A.
Qureshi – European Patent No. 0421419A3).
Both of these tocotrienols are as potent in
reducing total serum cholesterol level.
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| Q16: Are
Tocotrienols safe? |
A: Toxicological
and pharmacological studies showed that
supplementation with palm based tocotrienols up
to 2500mg per day per kilogram of body did not
produce any significant side effects.
Tocotrienols are natural compound found in
various food and oils such as palm olein, rice
bran oil, wheat germ, barley, etc. They are
vitamin E and one may be taking tocotrienols
through these normal foods without even realizing
it.
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| Q17: Can I
get enough of tocotrienols from my normal diet /
food? |
A: Most of the oils
and food contain tocopherols but virtually no
tocotrienols. Tocotrienols only occur at very low
level (below 800ppm) in nature with the highest
concentration found in palm oil. Other sources
are rice bran, barley, wheat germ, saw palmetto
and certain types of nuts and grains. Due to
their low level, it is practically impossible to
attain the amount of tocotrienols studies suggest
may have a beneficial effect, from diet alone.
For example, one has to take a cup of palm oil
per day to attain this level.
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| Q18: Can I
get tocotrienols simply from using palm oil in
cooking? |
A: Refined palm
olein (palm cooking oil) have some tocotrienols
as well as tocopherols but the levels found are
very low, approximately 0.08%. In order to get
the amount of tocotrienols (50 mg - 100 mg per
day) that medical studies suggest may have a
beneficial effect, one would have to consume
about 80g - 160g (about one to two tea cup) of
palm olein a day. Other cooking oils from corn,
soy-bean and sunflower contain virtually no
tocotrienols.
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| Q19: Who
should take tocotrienols? |
A: Everyone.
Research has shown tocotrienols to actively lower
cholesterol levels, prevent blood from clotting,
having anti-cancer activity and anti-tumour
qualities. People looking for an effective
antioxidant should take tocotrienols. It is wise
to begin tocotrienols supplementation in young
adulthood and continue throughout one's life.
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| Q20: What
should I look for when purchasing tocotrienols? |
| A: Look for a
natural, palm-oil derived tocotrienol product. If
minimally processed, it should also contain the
other phyto-nutrients found naturally in palm
oil. These include phytosterols, squalene and
mixed carotenoids, thus offering a
"platter" of a natural and wholesome
phyto-nutrient complex. Other rice-derived
tocotrienols are also available in the
market. Some formulas include
additional phyto-nutrients, such as soy
isoflavones, Ginkgo biloba, or beta sitosterol.
You can also look for a natural palm tocotrienol
product combined with a phyto-carotenoid complex.
In addition to the full range of tocotrienols,
such a product may contain carotene, lycopene,
natural palm squalene, and phytosterols commonly
found in fruits and vegetables. This type of
supplement contains a ratio of carotenes that
mirror the carotenoid content found in carrots. A
good mix!
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| Q21: What
about regulatory approval and registration of
tocotrienols? |
| A: Tocotrienols
have been approved as a food additive in Japan.
In France, finished products with palm based
tocotrienols have been approved in the dietary
supplement market. In Malaysia, the Health
Ministry has approved palm based
tocotrienols as a dietary supplement.
Due to
the recent nature of research work with
tocotrienols and that scientific evidence
supporting the benefits of tocotrienols is
relatively new, the FDA has not assigned vitamin
E activity to tocotrienols.
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| Q22: Will
tocotrienols be The Vitamin E for the New
Millennium? |
A: Yes! Many
research scientists and nutritionists, backed by
extensive published research papers, agree that
tocotrienols, being a natural more potent vitamin
E and have many additional biological benefits
over the normal tocopherols, will be the vitamin
E for the 21st century. There are researchers who
remarked that instead of focusing on tocopherols,
people should start taking tocotrienols as the
better vitamin E.
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| Q23: Why is
tocotrienols much more expensive than
tocopherols? |
| A: In nature, the
level of tocotrienols is at such a low level
(part per million level) that is it takes a huge
amount of the raw material to extract out 1kg of
tocotrienols. For example, for every 1000kg of
soy fatty acid distillate, one can extract out
about 70kg of the tocopherols. In comparison,
every 1000kg of palm oil, one can only
theoretically extract out 0.5kg of tocotrienols.
In addition, the process to extract tocotrienols
by molecular distillation is an expensive process
compared to the convention distillation
processes. |
