Tocotrienols: the vitamin that’s making headlines. Here’s why.

You may be reading and hearing more about tocotrienols. This less-common form of vitamin E has earned the attention of researchers, health experts and the media because it’s a potent antioxidant. Studies have shown that premium tocotrienol supplements, derived from Malaysian certified sustainable palm oil, may help protect your brain from stroke damage, promote younger skin, support liver health and even reduce cancer risk.

Vitamin C & E supplements may protect against age-related brain declines: Study

Supplements of vitamin C and E may reduce the risk of cognitive decline, according to data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging.

Data collected over the period 1991-2002 for 5,269 people aged over 65 indicated that users of vitamin C and/or E supplements had a 23% reduced risk cognitive impairment, not dementia (CIND), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), or all-cause dementia.

“This study supports a protective role of vitamin E and C supplements in the risk for AD and all-cause dementia. In addition, these supplements may contribute to a reduced risk of CIND,” wrote researchers from the Center of Excellence for the Aging of Québec and the Center for Health Social Services of Chicoutimi in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy .

Brain Health, Oxidative Stress & Vitamin E

The brain acts as a control center that regulates the human body’s biological events such as respiration and metabolism processes. When compared to other organs, the brain requires higher amount of oxygen to meet metabolic demands¹ but it possesses lower antioxidant capacity. Since the brain contains a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), it is very susceptible to free radical-mediated oxidative stress that affects brain health negatively.² Therefore, lipid soluble antioxidants such as vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols) are crucial to minimize oxidative stress.

Good for the Brain

Our brain is a complex organ, and we still have much to learn about how it works. What we do know, however, is that our brain undergoes changes as we age, changes that can affect its ability to function normally.

While some of these changes are due to the natural consequences of ageing, we may develop conditions that can also affect our brain. According to Prof Yuen Kah Hay, our brain consumes more energy than any other organ in the body, roughly 20% of our total energy requirements. Our brain is nourished by a massive network of blood vessels. “Therefore, any damage to the blood vessels can lead to degeneration of brain tissues, possibly leading to neurodegenerative disorders such as cognitive dysfunction, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,” he says. He adds that hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes are just some of the conditions that can damage the fine blood vessels in our brain.

Controlling the risk factors of such conditions would be very helpful to maintain our brain health, and thus, Prof Yuen recommends living a healthy lifestyle comprising a balanced diet and regular physical activity. If we need a little extra help, neuroprotective supplements such as tocotrienols can be helpful.

Human clinical study linking tocotrienols and brain health begins

Malaysia’s GMP-certified palm tocotrienol complex producer, has proudly announced the commencement of its latest human clinical trial “NUTRITION” Phase IIB using a patented and bioenhanced full spectrum palm tocotrienol complex.

The NUTRITION Phase I human clinical trial (Natural Tocotrienol Against Ischemic Stroke Event) began in 2012. It aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a patented and bio-enhanced natural full spectrum tocotrienols in platelet function and blood lipid profile in ischemic stroke event.

A pill for Parkinson’s?

The National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) is testing the substance, which is currently already available in a pill form. NNI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Malaysian pharmaceutical company Hovid Berhad to test whether palm tocotrienol – extracted from crude palm oil – works in experimental models of Parkinson’s disease. Clinical studies will be carried out subsequently.

“Our short- to mid-term plan is to come up with a drug to delay the onset of Parkinson’s for those at risk of the disease,” said Professor Tan Eng King, NNI’s Director of Research.

This Vitamin Can Save Your Brain

vitamin-repair-brain-damage

Your brain has amazing abilities. And it can heal itself.

That’s not something you’re likely to hear from mainstream medicine — especially if you or a loved one suffer from the effects of stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or another form of dementia.

Here at the Sears Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine, I’ve seen many people with brain damage. And, sadly, most have been deemed “hopeless” by so-called medical experts.

But I can tell you there is nothing hopeless about dementia — no matter what its cause. With the right nutrients, there are times when brain damage can be reversed.

And now recent research from a university in Malaysia backs up what I’ve observed for years in my own clinic.

These new studies show that one, special vitamin not only prevents brain damage, but it can help repair it.

I’m talking about an overlooked form of vitamin E called tocotrienols.

Slide Show: Tocotrienols as Natural Neuroprotective Vitamins

Vitamin E is essential for normal neurological function, and antioxidant defenses are crucial to the brain to protect neural tissues from oxidative damage. Therefore, the majority of available research on the role of antioxidants has drawn much interest. This slide show, adapted from chapter 26 of CRC Press’ e-book, “Tocotrienols,” will explore the various forms of vitamin E, and its role in maintaining neurological structure and function.

Want to lower your risk of having another stroke? Protect your brain with Vitamin E.

Studies reveal that Vitamin E tocotrienol, a little known type of Vitamin E found naturally in palm oil, helps to support white brain matter and lower stroke risk.

Why White Matter Matters

Fifty percent of your brain is white matter and the health of your brain’s white matter affects how well your brain functions and learns. Your brain’s white matter is also the area of the brain most affected by a stroke.

Concerned about stroke? A two-year study finds that vitamin E from Malaysian palm oil helps to protect brain’s white matter

hile you may know about your brain’s gray matter, did you also know that about 50 percent of your brain is made of white matter? The health of your brain’s white matter affects how well it learns and functions. This is also the area of the brain most often affected by stroke. Now results of a two-year human clinical study published in the American Heart Association journal, Stroke, show that vitamin E tocotrienols derived from Malaysian palm oil supports white matter health by weakening the progression of white matter lesions.

This human study is exciting because it is the first that provides solid evidence of tocotrienols’ neuroprotective benefits in humans. It complements previous research in cell cultures and animal models funded by the National Institutes of Health that has shown that alpha tocotrienols may lessen stroke damage, and may help to accelerate recovery of functional loss.