TheraPrimE® Palm-Rice-Annatto Tocotrienols
Health Benefits:
Anti-Fatigue, Anti-Oxidant, Heart Health
WHAT ARE TOCOTRIENOLS?
Tocotrienols are a form of natural Vitamin E. Natural Vitamin E is composed of eight distinct molecules. Four of these molecules are known as “tocopherols” and the other four are the subject of this paper: “tocotrienols.” Both the tocopherol and tocotrienol families consist of members which are named alpha, beta, delta and gamma. Each of the tocotrienol molecules, alpha-tocotrienol, beta-tocotrienol, delta-tocotrienol and gamma-tocotrienol, have proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity as well as potential health benefits which have been demonstrated in hundreds of published medical research studies.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOCOTRIENOLS AND TOCOPHEROLS?
Chemical Difference: The main difference between tocopherols and tocotrienols chemically is that the side chains of the tocotrienol molecules are unsaturated. Tocopherols do not have any double bonds within the molecules and have a long appendage on the end of the molecule. Tocotrienols, on the other hand, have a short appendage on the end of the molecule and three double bonds on each molecule [Figure 1]. These structural variances manifest in tremendous differences functionally for these two distinct Vitamin E sub-families. For example, scientists theorize that tocopherols’ long appendage and lack of double bonds are responsible for their poor functional effects in the body. The functional distinction between tocopherols and tocotrienols is demonstrated in several different ways, one of which is tocotrienols’ far superior antioxidant activity.
Health Benefit Difference: From a health benefit standpoint, there has been some controversy over the primary form of Vitamin E that has been marketed for many years, d-alpha tocopherol (and particularly with its synthetically produced cousin, dl-alpha tocopherol). Fortunately, in the case of tocotrienols, there has been no such controversy, and the studies have been extremely positive. In fact, as you’ll see below, hundreds and hundreds of medical research studies have consistently shown remarkable potential for tocotrienols’ clinical use in humans.
WHERE ARE TOCOTRIENOLS FOUND IN NATURE?
Tocotrienol Sources: Tocotrienols occur naturally in various vegetable sources, particularly in certain grains and oils such as wheat germ, soybean oil, barley, oats and palm oil. In general, tocotrienols are found in much lower concentrations than tocopherols in most foods. However, higher concentrations are found in a few distinct places such as rice bran oil, palm oil and in the annatto bean.
Tocotrienols in the Diet: Unfortunately, since tocotrienols are found in very low concentrations in most food sources, practically no one obtains efficacious doses of tocotrienols from their diet [Figure 2]. Human clinical research has settled on doses in the range of 50mg to 100mg per day. But unless you eat mega portions of concentrated sources of tocotrienols such as rice bran, palm oil or annatto beans every day, you’ll have to take a tocotrienol supplement to enjoy their diverse health benefits. For example, even though it’s one of nature’s richest sources, palm oil sold commercially has less than 1/10 of 1% of tocotrienol content by weight. So to obtain a therapeutic dose from this rich source, you’d have to drink down about a 4 ounce cup of palm oil every day!
BGG—The Ultimate Source for Tocotrienols: BGG’s tocotrienol products come under our industry-leading family of Vitamin E products called TheraPrimE®. We’re proud to point out that, unlike other tocotrienol suppliers, products derived from each of the three key sources of tocotrienols are available from BGG North America: BGG provides tocotrienols from palm oil, from rice bran oil, and also from annatto. While the different suppliers of tocotrienols fight amongst themselves saying “our tocotrienols from palm are the best” or “our tocotrienols from rice bran are the best,” BGG takes the high road and leaves this decision up to our customers. We are happy to recommend a specific tocotrienol for a specific application, or we can also provide all three sources for the “Ultimate Tocotrienol” product—a mixture of all the commercially produced sources.
And it’s not just this comprehensive offering allowing our customers to choose their source that separates BGG’s tocotrienol offerings from other companies; we also are capable of providing industry-leading concentrations of tocotrienols. We offer tocotrienol oleoresin up to 90% pure while our competitors only provide their tocotrienols in the 50% – 70% pure range. Have space issues with your formula? Want to limit the number of caps in your formula’s daily dose to one versus having to go to two or three caps per day? Want to provide your customers with the purest, most concentrated tocotrienol on the market? The solution to all these issues is the same: BGG’s Super Concentrated Tocotrienols!
WHAT ARE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE THREE MAJOR SOURCES OF TOCOTRIENOLS?
Tocotrienols are currently sourced from Palm Oil, Rice Bran Oil, and Annatto. Palm oil tocotrienols have been offered commercially for the longest time.
- Palm oil is high in gamma-tocotrienol and alpha-tocotrienol, has a lower level of delta-tocotrienol and very little beta-tocotrienol.
• Rice bran has high levels of gamma-tocotrienol and has a good amount of alpha-tocotrienol, but does not contain delta- or beta-tocotrienol.
• Both of these products come naturally complexed with tocopherols, in both cases primarily alpha- and gamma-tocopherol.
• Tocotrienols sourced from annatto are very different; they have extremely low levels of sup porting tocopherols, and contain approximately 90% delta-tocotrienol and 10% gamma-tocotrienol.
While some people think the lack of tocopherols is a benefit for annatto tocotrienols, we must point out that there is very limited research on the annatto variety. A review of all of the human clinical studies on tocotrienols did not find any study that specified that the tocotrienols were sourced from annatto. So we cannot say with certainty that the unique breakdown of primarily delta-tocotrienol from annatto will have excellent health benefits in humans.
The majority of the positive human research was done on palm oil tocotrienols, most likely because they have been available commercially the longest. There is also positive research in humans on rice bran tocotrienols, a great example of which is a very positive study on their cholesterol-lowering effects at a daily dose of 100mg. And while each product has great potential as a health-giving supplement, there are also some small issues with each as well:
- Manufacturers have reported that palm oil tocotrienols can be difficult to encapsulate without the addition of other oils to enhance fluidity.
• Rice bran tocotrienols are available in the lowest concentrations, which may lead to space issues in certain formulas.
• Annatto tocotrienols cannot be used in worldwide formulas since they are not accepted by regulators in Europe.
Even though we pointed out above that there are no published human clinical studies that specify annatto as the source, there is a positive study for neuroprotection that was done with delta-tocotrienols (which represent 90% of the contents of the annatto-sourced tocotrienols). However, in this study, the delta form was derived from palm. This example shows us that it’s very difficult to come to firm conclusions at this juncture in the history of tocotrienols regarding which source or form to use. One important point did become apparent when reviewing the human research—the vast majority of the positive human studies featured a mixture of the different forms (primarily alpha, delta and gamma) rather than a single form. BGG’s position is that all the different forms are very good products and should have benefits in human health. We offer each of these forms in our TheraPrimE® family of Vitamin E products and allow our customers to decide which form they’d like to use for their particular application.
BGG’S TOCOTRIENOL OFFERINGS
We want to once again point out that BGG has some excellent technology which allows us to offer tocotrienols that have industry-leading concentrations. So it’s not just that we can offer tocotrienols from every commercial source that separates us from competitors, it’s also the potency of our products that is a huge point of distinction. Here are some key specifications from our four best-selling tocotrienol products:
WHAT DOSAGE IS RECOMMENDED?
The range of dosages in the published human clinical research is wide. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that at a low dose of only 60mg per day, positive results in improving blood lipid levels were found. In only 30 days, the decrease in LDL cholesterol ranged to 37% and the decrease in total cholesterol ranged to 36% (Tan, et al, 1991). However, in one study on neuroprotection, the only dose given was at 7mg/kg of body weight each day. The results were very good, but heavier subjects were taking over 500mg of tocotrienols per day (Abruzzo, et al, 2013). Unfortunately, there was no dose dependence element in this study, so we may have seen similar results at much lower dosages.
A very positive study on rice-bran tocotrienols’ effect on blood lipids did analyze dose dependence. They tested various dosages from 25mg up to 200mg per day. They found an excellent effect at 100mg per day; in fact, the effect was better at 100mg than at 200mg (Qureshi, et al, 2002).
Based on all the human studies we reviewed, we feel that a basic dose of 100mg per day for general health is reasonable. A logical range of dosages would start at 100mg per day leading up to 200mg per day. Broken down by condition, following are our recommendations:
- Cardiovascular Health 60mg – 100mg per day
• Neuroprotection 100mg – 200mg per day
• Liver Protection 200mg per day
• Kidney Protection 200mg per day
• Diabetes 200mg per day
• Systemic Inflammation 200mg per day
• Immunity 200mg – 400mg per day
• Anti-Aging 100mg – 200mg per day
• Hair Growth 100mg per day
OVERVIEW OF EXISTING RESEARCH ON TOCOTRIENOLS – CLOSE TO 500 POSITIVE STUDIES!
There are close to 500 medical research studies showing a variety of potential health benefits for tocotrienols. This is such a phenomenal quantity of positive research that’s it’s hard to imagine that tocotrienols are not a household word and aren’t being sold at every major retailer and pharmacy chain. But this will undoubtedly change in the not-too-distant future: As the plethora of research becomes better known in the supplement industry and by consumers, we’re sure to see much wider distribution of these healthy superstars.
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HISTORY OF VITAMIN E RESEARCH
VITAMIN E RESEARCH
The early research on Vitamin E was mainly focused on tocopherols. Yet the research on tocotrienols shows a much more potent molecule with a more diverse and consistently positive body of medical research. In the last several years, tocotrienols have enjoyed much more focused investigation as evidenced by the volume of studies (which has greatly escalated due to the extremely promising early results). In fact, in just the last five years since 2010, there have been about 250 positive studies published! It will be very interesting to see how much more is found out about tocotrienols’ health benefits in the future; with the current trajectory of research, we should be up over 1000 positive studies early in the next decade, and with a few new health benefits found. With this single fact alone—that scientists are vigorously mining the benefits of tocotrienols in their laboratories and clinics around the world—all serious supplement brands should take a hard look at adding a pure tocotrienol product to their portfolio as well as including tocotrienols in condition-specific formulas.
Several of the published studies were conducted as state-of-the-art, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical studies; meanwhile, in the case of certain areas of research such as cancer prevention, there have been scores of positive pre-clinical animal research trials as well as in-vitro experiments, but no human studies. Nevertheless, the human research has clinically validated a variety of health benefits that tocotrienols can imbue on consumers (all of which have been further corroborated by myriad pre-clinical experiments).
AREAS OF HUMAN RESEARCH: THE CLINICALLY-VALIDATED BENEFITS
Tocotrienols have been the subject of many human clinical trials demonstrating diverse potential in preventative as well as therapeutic applications. In total, there have been more than ten distinct areas of human research. Following is a complete list of these different areas along with a brief synopsis of the existing human research in each area:
Cardiovascular Health: Extensive research has been completed showing tocotrienols’ positive effects on blood lipid profiles in various groups including hypercholesterolemic patients; people with type-2 diabetes; patients undergoing dialysis; as well as healthy, older adults with no health concerns.
Neuroprotection: In two excellent human clinical trials, tocotrienols protected brain white matter and showed potential to prevent a neurodegenerative disease. Additionally, cohort studies and case-control studies have further established the case for tocotrienols’ strong neuroprotective effects.
Kidney Protection: Protection against inflammation in the kidneys as well as nitrosative stress of the kidneys have been demonstrated in diabetic patients.
Liver Protection: Tocotrienols showed the potential to delay the progression of end-stage liver disease; they also were shown capable of protecting the liver of patients with high cholesterol.
Diabetes: Diabetic patients supplementing with tocotrienols had lower blood glucose levels. And two separate clinical trials showed that diabetics had improved blood lipid profiles after supplementing with tocotrienols.
Immune System Modulation: Tocotrienols improved the immune response to tetanus vaccination in healthy volunteers.
Anti-Aging: Tocotrienols showed an extremely statistically significant reduction in DNA damage in healthy, older adults.
Hair Growth: Tocotrienols taken internally significantly increased hair growth versus placebo in a randomized human clinical trial.
Skin Health: Topically applied, tocotrienols prevented lipid peroxidation in humans. In a separate trial, tocotrienols combined with tocopherols and applied topically reduced photo-aging of human skin.
Antioxidant: Along with tocotrienols’ anti-inflammatory activity, their antioxidant action is at the heart of many of their condition-specific benefits. In a few human clinical trials, tocotrienols improved key antioxidant markers such as superoxide dismutase in the blood of human subjects; they have also been shown to circulate in lipoproteins where they are effective in neutralizing hydroxyl radicals.
Anti-Inflammatory: Tocotrienols prevented inflammation and reduced the key blood marker for inflammation, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, in diabetic patients.
PRE-CLINICAL RESEARCH: CANCER PREVENTION AND TUMOR REDUCTION
In addition to the clinically-validated health benefits listed above, there are several other potential health benefits that have been demonstrated in extensive pre-clinical animal trials and in-vitro experiments. In no other area has there been as much research as in the realm of cancer prevention and tumor reduction. In fact, there are close to 200 studies in this area alone showing preventive and also potential therapeutic benefits in the fight against breast cancer; leukemia; liver and pancreatic cancers; melanoma and other forms of skin cancer; gastric, bladder and colon cancers; mesothelioma; prostate cancer; lung cancer; lymphoma; oral cancer; brain cancer; and bone marrow cancer. In addition, tocotrienols have shown an ability to protect against the deleterious effects of radiation and radioactivity in various different models.
There is one published study in relation to cancer in humans: This was a very interesting case control study done on women with breast lumps. This study found that women with malignant breast lumps had much lower levels of tocotrienols than those with benign breast lumps. The researchers concluded: “The higher adipose tissue concentration of tocotrienols in benign patients provides support for the idea that tocotrienols may provide protection against breast cancer” (Nesaretnam, et al, 2007).
OTHER PRE-CLINICAL RESEARCH
There has been roughly an equal number of emerging health benefits defined in pre-clinical research (that have yet to be validated in human trials) as benefits that have been clinically validated (which we outlined above). As we just pointed out, the research in the area of cancer has been massive. After cancer, the most substantial pre-clinical work has been done on tocotrienols’ ability to support bone health. In total, there have been 24 pre-clinical trials, most of which were done on rodents. Results vary from enhancing bone formation to maintaining bone strength to preventing bone loss and preventing osteoporosis in rat models of aging. Additionally, tocotrienols showed potential for preventing bone diseases, healing fractures and even for protecting cells responsible for bone formation against oxidative stress.
After bone health, the highest number of pre-clinical studies (eight) were done on digestive health. Results include preventing gastric lesions, protecting gastric mucosa as well as possible benefits for people suffering from Crohn’s disease.
Another focus of pre-clinical research has been in the fight against obesity where seven positive studies have been published. Potential benefits include combatting metabolic disorder and suppressing adipogenesis.
The last area with multiple pre-clinical studies has been on tocotrienols’ potential against pancreatitis where four studies have been done.
In addition, there are several nascent areas of research where only one or two positive pre-clinical studies have been done. These include improving endurance; treating allergies; improving fertility and enhancing the health of embryos. There has also been a study showing that tocotrienols may have a hormone-like function.
And lastly, similar to such highly effective supplements as AstaZine® Natural Astaxanthin and ApplePhenon® polyphenols, tocotrienols have revealed in two different trials that they can extend the life of C. elegans worms, a model organism used in life extension research.
Health Benefits of Tocotrienols versus Tocopherols. It’s very interesting to note that in many of the studies we’ve introduced so far, comparisons were made between tocotrienols and tocopherols. On a comparative level, tocotrienols have consistently demonstrated far superior clinical potential than tocopherols.
Please Note: While this review is principally dedicated to an examination of tocotrienols’ potential health benefits that have been validated in human clinical research, we briefly mention these other potential benefits from pre-clinical research in order that the Reader may fully understand the wide range of possible applications. For a complete list of over 450 abstracts showing all of the research referenced throughout this review, please contact BGG at our North American headquarters by e-mail at support@ bggworld.com or by telephone at 949.748.7348.
For additional information, references and comprehensive details including:
- INTERNAL ORGAN PROTECTION BY TOCOTRIENOLS
• THE ANTI-AGING EFFECT OF TOCOTRIENOLS
• DIABETES AND METABOLIC SYNDROME: POTENTIAL BENEFITS FROM TOCOTRIENOLS
• IMMUNE SYSTEM MODULATION BY TOCOTRIENOLS
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