One Form of Vitamin E Better Than Others for Heart Health

by Irfan Qureshi, ND

Tocotrienols are unique forms of vitamin E that have powerful cardiovascular benefits. While “vitamin E” is known for its antioxidant properties, recent research suggests that tocotrienols may possess more potent antioxidant benefits than the form of vitamin E known as tocopherols. And because of their difference in chemical structure, tocotrienols may be able to more efficiently penetrate cell membranes. Additionally, the tocotrienols within vitamin E work to provide a number of unique cardiovascular benefits. Aside from their potent inflammatory-balancing and antioxidant effects, tocotrienols also have the ability to act on enzymes responsible for cholesterol and lipid metabolism.

Several studies conducted since the early 1990s show that tocotrienols are effective “chain-breaking” antioxidants, which break the chain reaction of events that leads to lipid peroxidation. Damage from free radicals is a huge contributor to poor health and can play a significant role in cardiovascular function. Additional studies have shown how tocotrienols can reduce such damage. For example, in an 8-week study of the effects of tocotrienol-rich palm oil fed to diabetic rats, the induction of diabetes led to a decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and vitamin C levels in the plasma and in the aorta of rats. The tocotrienol-rich palm oil-fed rats showed significantly higher plasma SOD activity and levels of vitamin C. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE)—important measures of oxidative stress—were increased in diabetic rats. However, the tocotrienol-rich palm oil was found to normalize both MDA and HNE levels, indicating a significant reduction in oxidative stress.

Inflammatory processes are intimately involved in our ability to maintain healthy cardiovascular function. Inflammation is an important contributor to circulatory health issues, blood pressure imbalances, and other cardiovascular health outcomes. Through interactions with multiple inflammatory pathways, tocotrienols likely play important roles in managing and regulating the body’s inflammatory response.

Tocotrienols also possess direct lipid-balancing capabilities. Researchers investigating the cardioprotective effects of tocotrienols believe that the greatest potential benefits of these vitamin E compounds lie in their ability to moderate the activity of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis. In fact, this action of tocotrienols contrasts with that of tocopherols. Research has shown that tocopherol forms of vitamin E, when administered concurrently, may interfere with the moderating effect of tocotrienols on this important enzyme.

Tocotrienols are unique forms of vitamin E conferring significant heart-supporting benefits. While the tocopherols also contribute to many crucial metabolic functions, it’s increasingly clear that incorporating the other forms of vitamin E—i.e. tocotrienols—is something that can significantly enhance our ability to maintain cardiovascular health and wellness.