Discover The Most Optimal Form OF Tocotrienols
Tocotrienols are molecules classified as belonging to the Vitamin E family. Tocopherols are also part of the Vitamin E family.
Recent research is indicating that the tocotrienols form may offer a broad range of health benefits — perhaps greatly superior to tocopherols.
The latter, tocopherols are the type of Vitamin E found in such sources as corn and soybeans.
Most of the vitamin E that can be purchased in your local pharmacy, grocery store, or even health store, are often made using a cheap, synthetic version of alpha-tocopherol.
By contrast, tocotrienols are found in abundance in such sources as rice bran, wheat germ, and barley oils.
The Benefits of Tocotrienols
First, tocotrienol is a potent antioxidant against lipid peroxidation…antioxidants also serve to neutralize free radicals (highly reactive chemical substances) that may otherwise cause damage to bodily cells.
Studies conducted with humans have shown that tocotrienols may help cardiovascular system health and functioning.
For example, it may help prevent atherosclerosis, which is a hardening of the arteries that may eventually lead to greater plaque buildup, possibly triggering heart attacks and heart disease
Some studies have also shown that tocotrienol can lower total cholesterol (by 8% in one such double blind study) and specifically reduce LDL levels (known as the “bad cholesterol”).
Tocotrienols are also important in maintaining the health of cellular membranes, may help prevent blood clotting, protect the lungs against pollutants, and boosting immune function.
There are also more speculative benefits of tocotrienol, such as helping protect against cancer, in particular breast cancer. It has also shown itself to be effective at preventing blood pressure increases (thereby possibly having benefits for those with hypertension).
These are more speculative because only animal, not human, subjects have been used…and some of them were only test tube studies.
It will be interesting to see what future research reveals with respect to their possible health implications for cancer.
Precautions
Because tocotrienol has anti-clotting properties, those people taking anti-clotting medications or blood thinners should talk to their doctor before taking a supplement containing it.
Pregnant and nursing women are advised to always consult with a physician before taking supplements of any kind.
Tips On Choosing And Using A Tocotrienols Natural Supplement
1. Tocotrienol, as all Vitamin E, is fat-soluble. Avoid taking it on an empty stomach, otherwise absorption will be extremely poor. A perfect complement to it would be fish oil supplements, which contains fatty acids that will greatly boost its absorption.
2. There is no RDA (Recommended daily allowance) yet set for this nutrient. Some experts beleive a dosage anywhere from 10mg to 50mg per day would confer benefits. However, it’s important to remember to take it with a meal or some fats that will allow it to be absorbed. 10mgs absorbed are better than 30mgs that are excreted.
3. Only purchase your Tocotrienol from pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities. Both private and Government bodies have shown that consumers often only have a 1 in 5 chance of buying supplements that contain what it is claimed on their label — or do not harbor contaminants.
Pharmaceutical GMP facilities adhere to the most rigorous manufacturing standards possible, thereby giving you the peace of mind you’re getting what you paid for.
Why not buy the best? Your health depends on it.
Featured Tocotrienols Natural Supplement…
One company that produces a tocotrienols natural supplement that meets the above requirements — and much more — is Xtend-Life Natural Products from New Zealand, which has one of the strictest regulatory environments in the world for the manufacture of dietary supplements, far exceeding U.S. FDA standards.
Their flagship product, Total Balance, not only contains tocotrienols but many of the most sophisticated speciality health nutrients, herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and much more. In fact, Total Balance contains most of the nutrients we cover on this entire site!
We here at Nutritional Supplement Info have personally been taking Xtend-Life’s Total Balance with tocotrienols for the past 2 years with excellent results: we have noticed in increase in our energy levels, mental acuity, and general feeling of well-being.
We also take their Xtend-Life Fish Oil Omega Ester product along with Total Balance to help with absorption of the tocotrienol.