The vitamin E family consists of many chemicals among which tocotrienols are some of the important members that make the substance (vitamin E) useful to our body. From lowering cholesterol levels to providing benefits to heart health, tocotrienols are believed to have different effects on the human body.
These chemicals are also thought to benefit those having familial dysautonomia, a genetic disorder that occurs in humans upon the increase of certain protein in our blood. So, one might easily get to believe that foods and/ or supplements containing these chemicals are generally safe and conducive to health.
However, reaching a conclusion requires further research and understanding of the chemicals, especially when it comes to our precious health. In this article, you’ll learn the types of tocotrienols, their uses, health benefits, and side effects.
Types of Tocotrienols
As other chemicals in the vitamin family have different types. Tocotrienols do have their variations. Four types are available — alpha tocotrienols, beta tocotrienols, gamma tocotrienols, and delta tocotrienols.
A large portion of these chemicals don’t usually occur in natural sources. But a low level of the chemicals occurs in different food items, such as oils of barley, rice bran, wheat germs, palm fruits, and other sources.
An alternative to the natural sources of these substances can be different supplements that are sold as pills or capsules. You might have heard tocotrienols are similar to another group of chemicals known as tocopherols. Yes, they are but only structurally. Their health properties are slightly different.
According to experts, tocotrienols provide us with several health benefits including increase in the overall functionality of the brain and its overall health. Some experts believe that the substances might increase anticancer activity in the body.
How Are Tocotrienols Used?
Among all other natural sources where tocotrienols occur, the most concentrated one is palm oil. However, for someone to benefit from these chemicals as experts suggest, the right amount should be one cup of palm oil per day if natural sources are to be chosen.
Does that sound okay to you? Here comes the talk about the different supplements that contain the chemicals in as much of a concentration required. AC Grace Unique E Tocotrienols from HM Herbal can be an ideal choice. However, you shouldn’t proceed without a doctor’s consultation.
Some synthetic supplements contain tocotrienols in higher levels, and those products are commonly available in pharmacies and health food shops. Many people choose to take vitamin E supplements believing that they’re only ingesting tocotrienols. Truth is most of those supplements contain the alpha type of tocopherol.
A good number of scientific studies reveal that tocotrienols can be linked to health benefits and wellbeing if they’re particularly taken with carotenoids,phytosterols, and squalene. Tocotrienols of this category may help people with lowering their bad cholesterol levels and certain risks of deadly cancers.
Potential Health Benefits
Some of these benefits might sound like mere hypotheses while others are scientifically evidenced. So, you should ask an expert before taking the following points into consideration.
Neuro-Protective Effects
Extensive research has been conducted to find if tocotrienols are good for humans, especially in terms of neurological benefits. Studies reveal that the chemicals reach the brain quickly and bring a significant change in the rate the brain functions.
Anticancer Effects
There have been many reliable results to suggest that tocotrienols bring an overall healthy effect on the body. Some researchers believe that people who are vulnerable to cancers might benefit from the chemicals’ anticancer properties.
Prevention of Cholesterol Buildup
Perhaps, it’s the most attractive benefit of tocotrienols which help prevent the accumulation of bad cholesterol and thus help people with risks of some cardiovascular and cholesterol issues.
Fracture Healing
A scientific trial was taken on postmenopausal rats that had osteoporosis. Tocotrienols helped those creatures heal their bone fractures quickly. However, more rigorous efforts are required to confirm that humans may benefit the same way.
Potential Side effects
Tocotrienols have been found by many scientific research institutes to have little to no adverse effects on the human body. However, those studies used around 200mg of these chemicals on a daily basis during the research.
With everything considered carefully, you might want to take supplements containing tocotrienols as a safe substance. But still, you need to consult your physicians to know about the safety, correct dosage, and other important factors.
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