From its potent antioxidant properties to its ability to protect your cells against damage, vitamin E can have a powerful effect when it comes to your health. Getting enough vitamin E foods in your diet may aid in the treatment of certain skin conditions, boost hair growth and even support healthy vision — in addition to the other vitamin E benefits these foods provide.
Gamma-tocopherol is a major form of vitamin E, which is abundant in nuts like walnuts and pecans and in the legume peanut, as well as seed oils such as corn, soybean and sesame. This type has drawn little attention compared with alpha-tocopherol, the form most commonly found in vitamin E supplements.
The easy accessibility of natural source vitamin E through an increasingly strengthening distribution network is additionally a key factor driving the market all over the world. Having successfully established a large consumer base through store-based retail channels, for example, supermarkets, health shops, hypermarkets, drugstores, mass merchandisers, and healthcare specialist retailers, the attention is currently on strengthening the e-commerce channel.
What is your favourite oil: coconut oil, groundnut oil, sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil? Regarding its health benefits, none of these oils can compare with Palm oil. Surprised? You are probably astonished because palm oil is everywhere and is cheaper than other oils. Remember that biblical saying: ‘A prophet is always respected except in his own country.’ Palm oil is a native of West Africa.
The body needs vitamin E to function, making it an essential vitamin. It is fat-soluble, meaning that it requires fat from the diet to be properly absorbed. Vitamin E is mainly stored in the liver before being released into the blood stream for use.
You know that vitamin C helps boost your immune system, and vitamin A supports your vision. What if there were a naturally occurring letter vitamin that supports your brain health? Further, what if the federal government was pouring millions of dollars into researching the benefits of this vitamin? The good news is that it’s already readily available. It’s a form of natural vitamin E called tocotrienols.
Research has shown vitamin E’s health benefits to the brain, heart, bones; but, brands need to take notice of the form, as natural vitamin E imparts more health benefits.
Vitamin E products have evolved from a product based on alpha-tocopherol to complete formulas that are bio-enhanced, non-GMO and derived from vegetable oils.
Researchers in Peru found that vitamin E deficiency in individuals was associated with an increased risk of contracting tuberculosis from household members with tuberculosis. As such, they recommend assessing the vitamin E status of these individuals and possibly providing vitamin E supplementation to help curb the spread of tuberculosis.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing public health problem worldwide and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is no definitive treatment for this disease. δ-Tocotrienol has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may reduce liver injury in NAFLD. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of δ-tocotrienol in the treatment of NAFLD.
The present study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study conducted in patients aged > 20 years, belonging to both sexes, having ultrasound-proven fatty liver disease, having a fatty liver index (FLI) of ≥ 60, and persistent elevation of alanine transaminase. A total of 71 patients were assigned to receive either oral δ-tocotrienol (n=35, 300 mg twice daily) or placebo (n=36) for 12 weeks. At the baseline and at the end of the study, clinical and biochemical parameters, including lipid profile, liver function tests, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Body mass index and FLI were calculated, and ultrasound grading of hepatic steatosis was performed.
Out of 71 enrolled patients, 64 patients, 31 in the δ-tocotrienol group and 33 in the placebo group, completed the study. After 12 weeks of supplementation, δ-tocotrienol showed greater efficacy than placebo by decreasing serum aminotransferases, hs-CRP, MDA, and FLI score (p<0.001). However, it did not improve hepatic steatosis on ultrasound examination. No adverse effects were reported.
δ-Tocotrienol was safe, and it effectively improved aminotransferase levels and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in patients with NAFLD. Large-scale randomized clinical trials are warranted to further support these findings.