Our product ProLife belongs among bestsellers of the Trime portfolio. Most customers know that ProLife contains organic astaxanthin, a natural carotenoid derived from the algae Haematococcus pluvialis. A number of studies [1] [2] [3] discuss the fact that astaxanthin is one of nature's most powerful antioxidants protecting us from ubiquitous oxidative stress. But not everyone knows that ProLife contains also full-spectrum natural vitamin E - a blend of tocotrienols and tocopherols with antioxidant properties.
In today's article, we will take a closer look at the lesser-known tocotrienols and their unique health benefits.
Article at a glanc:
- Healthy cells = the foundation of our overall health
- Vitamin E = tocopherols and tocotrienols
- The difference between tocopherols and tocotrienols
- Tocotrienols and their health benefits
- ProLife and its tocotrienols sources
- Conclusion
Healthy cells = the foundation of our overall health
Cells form the basic units of the body's tissues and organs. When cells are healthy, tissues and organs will also function efficiently, helping to minimize the potential onset of health complications. In order for cells to function optimally and contribute to our overall health, it is essential to provide them with the necessary nutrients. These include primarily protein and healthy fats, which help maintain cell structure and cell membrane integrity. But we shouldn't forget the antioxidants protecting cells from free radical attacks.
Vitamin E is one of the important antioxidants that effectively penetrate the cell membrane to protect the cell from oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
Vitamin E = tocopherols and tocotrienols
Vitamin E is not a single compound, as some may still think. In fact, vitamin E is the term for a group of 8 fat-soluble compounds with antioxidant effects. They include 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols (α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherol and α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocotrienol).
Tocotrienols represent the lesser-known form of these two vitamin E groups, yet they are gaining significant attention among scientists and consumers mainly due to their unique health benefits not commonly associated with tocopherols. There is also growing evidence that individual members of the vitamin E family are functionally unique.
The difference between tocopherols and tocotrienols
Sometimes referred to as polyunsaturated vitamin E, tocotrienols exhibit unique health benefits compared to tocopherols. The structure of tocopherols and tocotrienols is very similar, but the difference is found in their side chain. Tocopherols have a saturated side chain, while tocotrienols have an unsaturated chain (with three double bonds).
The altered molecular structure provides tocotrienols with greater flexibility and the ability to penetrate cell membranes effectively, especially in tissues such as the brain or liver. Tocotrienols effectively protect the structure and integrity not only of the cytoplasmic cell membrane, but also of the membranes of intracellular organelles - i.e. the cell nucleus, lysosomes or mitochondria.
Experimental research investigating the antioxidant effects of tocopherols and tocotrienols has shown that tocotrienols have better antioxidant capacity due to their easier distribution in the fatty layers of the cell membrane. [4]
Tocotrienols and their health benefits
In relation to tocotrienols and their biological properties, a growing number of studies have pointed to their benefits due to their ability to provide protection against a range of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and fatty liver.
- Brain protection and cognitive support
Cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease are on the rise among older people. Even normal brain cell activity is associated with oxidation, inflammation and toxicity that contribute to cognitive decline. This is one of the reasons why there is a growing interest in the antioxidant effects of vitamin E, particularly tocotrienols, related to brain protection.
Current evidence points to the fact that alpha-tocotrienol represents the most potent neuroprotective form of natural vitamin E.[5] Alpha-tocotrienols are many times more effective than alpha-tocopherols in protecting neurons from various toxins - even low concentrations of alpha-tocotrienols (in nanomolar amounts) can prevent brain cell death caused by prolonged excitatory stimulation of the neurotransmitter glutamate. [6]
Low tocotrienols concentrations administered prior to exposure to neurotoxins resulted in reduced brain cell damage, restoration of normal growth and prolonged brain cell lifespan under laboratory conditions. Importantly, tocotrienols were found to be able to inhibit the degeneration of axons (nerve cell processes). Tocotrienols treatment of brain cells damaged by oxidative stress lead to restoration of axons that provide normal communication between neurons. [7] [8] [9]
- Healthy liver
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic steatosis) is a condition in which fat accumulates in the liver and makes up 5 to 10 percent of the liver's weight. This disease is often asymptomatic and can ultimately lead to liver cirrhosis. Hepatic steatosis is related to lipid peroxidation and increased oxidative stress. That is why the increased intake of antioxidants may help prevent the development of this disease.
Tocotrienols accumulate in higher amounts in the liver. A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrated the protective effect of tocotrienols in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Patients who supplemented with tocotrienols for a year experienced normalization of liver tissue on ultrasound compared to the control group. The remission rate was also significantly higher in the treated patients than in the control group. [11]
- Healthy cardiovascular system = support of healthy cholesterol levels
Cholesterol occurs naturally in our bodies and is vital to us. However, too high a concentration of cholesterol in the blood increases the risk of cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis or heart attack. Tocotrienols block the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase in the liver and so inhibit the body's production of cholesterol. [12] A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 19 patients with type 2 diabetes suffering from dyslipidemia showed that 60 days of tocotrienol supplementation led to a reduction in total cholesterol of up to 30% and a reduction in LDL cholesterol of up to 42% [13].
- Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which a person has several concurrent diseases or symptoms that are considered risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. These factors include obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (high cholesterol) and impaired glucose tolerance (elevated blood glucose, insulin resistance).
Interventions for metabolic syndrome primarily include lifestyle modifications such as incorporating regular physical activity and a healthy diet. However, nutraceuticals can also represent a very effective aid. Research has shown that tocotrienols can improve lipid profiles, reduce atherosclerotic lesions, lower blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels, normalize blood pressure and inhibit adipogenesis [14] [15].
- Tocotrienols as contributors to greater bone density and healthy bones
Osteoporosis affects a large part of the elderly population and represents a growing global problem. Tocotrienols may help to combat this disease. Tocotrienols upregulate genes that are responsible for bone formation while suppressing inflammatory signaling that contributes to bone destruction. This activity is not shared by tocopherols. [16]
- Skin health and hair growth promotion
Due to the unique properties of tocotrienols and the presence of a polyunsaturated side chain in their structure, tocotrienols have the ability to penetrate cell membranes more efficiently compared to tocopherols. Tocotrienols are evenly distributed over the skin surface and preferentially accumulate in the upper layer of the skin (stratum corneum). Tocotrienols are gaining more attention in the context of promoting healthy skin and protecting it from harmful UV radiation [17].
A 2010 study aimed to investigate the effects of tocotrienols on hair growth in people with alopecia. Study volunteers who supplemented with 100 mg for 8 months experienced a 34.5% increase in hair growth. [18]
Tocotrienols can help regenerate hair follicles, promote microcirculation of hair follicles and thus reduce hair loss. This is probably due to tocopherols antioxidant activity which leads to reduced oxidative stress in the scalp.
ProLife and its tocotrienols sources
Tocotrienols cannot be synthesized by our body and their intake can only be provided by diet or supplements. In the plant kingdom, tocotrienols can only be found in certain sources such as rice, barley, wheat or rye. In nature, the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is the most abundant source, containing up to 800 mg/kg of tocotrienols.
"Recommended daily intake of tocotrienols to support overall health is between 10-20 mg/day under Western lifestyle conditions. In situations of early onset of certain types of diseases, the daily recommended intake is increased to 30-50 mg/day. To reach this recommended level through normal diet alone, a person would need to consume about 80 g of palm oil or 1.5 to 4.0 kg of wheat germ, barley or oats per day, which is impossible. Therefore, in certain circumstances, it is recommended that tocotrienol intake should be targeted and increased by consuming good quality dietary supplement" adds Jakub Pribyl, Trime recipes author and Trime products developer.
The source of the tocotrienols in ProLife product is virgin palm oil gently extracted by a patented process from the fruit of the red palm tree (Elaeis guineensis), which contains the full spectrum of individual tocotrienols (α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocotrienols).
Conclusion
Both tocopherols and tocotrienols are antioxidants, but the antioxidant activity of tocotrienols is several times higher than that of tocopherols. Tocotrienols have been shown to have unique functions compared to tocopherols. Tocotrienols are increasingly recognised for their role in protecting against neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, metabolic syndrome and even osteoporosis.