Our modern lifestyles lead to oxidative stress and low-grade chronic inflammation in the body. These are the underlying causes of non-communicable diseases. Vitamin E Tocotrienols from palm oil are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents and possess many health benefits that can potentially help to delay the onset of age-related diseases. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in numerous clinical studies. Dr. Yap Wei Ney, an expert in pharmacology, answers questions related to the clinical outcomes of palm-derived tocotrienols supplementation.
What is so special about palm tocotrienols?
What’s very special about it is that palm oil naturally contains the complete spectrum of Tocotrienols (Super Vitamin E). Each Tocotrienols isomer is functionally unique and having the complete spectrum present means that you could potentially maximise the health benefits that Tocotrienols have to offer.
How does palm tocotrienols modulate the mechanisms associated with the ageing process and its related diseases?
Oxidative stress and inflammation lie at the heart of the ageing process and its related diseases. Unfortunately, the body’s cells are continuously exposed to oxidative stress and inflammation as a result of our lifestyles. This results in age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the acceleration of skin ageing. Tocotrienols are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, and as such, supplementing with Tocotrienols could potentially help the body attenuate the oxidative stress and chronic inflammation that it is exposed to on a daily basis.
What are the current advancement in the formulation of palm tocotrienols supplement in correlation to its bioavailability for clinical application?
Tocotrienols are oil-soluble vitamins. As with all such oil-soluble vitamins, its natural bioavailability in the body is low. Its bioavailability can be enhanced using a self-emulsifying formulation, where the Tocotrienols are mixed with compounds that help it to form an emulsion upon release in the digestive system. The small droplet size of the emulsion improves absorption in the small intestine, thereby increasing the bioavailability. If you are looking to take Tocotrienols supplements, it is best to take self-emulsifying formulated Tocotrienols.
When should we start consuming palm tocotrienols to achieve healthy ageing?
The earlier the better! The body’s cells constantly experience oxidative stress and low-grade chronic inflammation. The sooner we begin protecting our cells from these stressors, the longer we may be able to potentially delay age-related diseases.
WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT PALM TOCOTRIENOLS IS THAT THERE ARE HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS TO SUPPORT THESE CLAIMS:
a) Skin Ageing
Exposure to UV rays is the primary cause of skin ageing, and skin that has been excessively exposed to UV rays suffers from erythema and pigmentation. A clinical study on 20 subjects has shown that topical application of Tocotrienols can protect skin from UV-induced erythema by up to 26% and pigmentation by up to 32%.
b) Cardiovascular Disease
Tocotrienols can help to lower triglyceride amounts by reducing the production and transport of triglycerides in cells. It also inhibits the production of a key enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis, and its role as an anti-inflammatory agent provides benefits to also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. A clinical study has reported that Tocotrienols supplementation could reduce total cholesterol and LDL by up to 20% and 25%, respectively) Another study reported that Tocotrienols supplementation could reduce total cholesterol, LDL, apolipoprotein B and triglycerides by 20%, 25%, 14% and 12%, respectively.
c) Neurodegenerative Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by the accumulation of a toxic peptide known as f-amyloid, which forms white matter lesions in the brain. Oxidative stress plays a key role in this process. A clinical study on 121 subjects showed that Tocotrienols supplementation could slow down the progression of white matter lesions.
d) Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Metabolic overload causes stress reactions in the body, including oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. 17e1 This can contribute to the development of NAFLD. Left untreated, this condition can eventually lead to inflammation (hepatitis) and scarring (cirrhosis) of the liver. A clinical study of 87 patients with NAFLD showed that NAFLD became negative in 50% of patients after a year of Tocotrienols supplementation twice daily, compared to only 23% in the placebo group. l1º) A more recent study showed that patients with NAFLD who were taking Tocotrienols benefited in terms of improvement in serum aminotransferase levels as well as inflammatory, oxidative stress and hepatic steatosis markers.
Prepared by Sarafhana
