Tocotrienol: The Superior Vitamin E for Cardiovascular Health

July 22^nd, 2024 – New York, USA. Today, atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) are a leading cause of death, affecting millions of people worldwide. Among the key risk factors for ASCVD, dyslipidemia stands out as a major contributor. This condition is marked by elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, along with reduced levels of HDL cholesterol. Known as hypercholesterolemia, it affects people of all ages, from young children to the elderly. With the prevalence of ASCVD on the rise, finding safe and effective preventive action has become important.

Amid this pressing health crisis, a team of researchers from the National University of Medical Sciences in Pakistan has conducted a systematic review, comparing the efficacy of two forms of vitamin E – tocopherol and tocotrienol in the management of ASCVD. Although both compounds are structurally similar, they differ in terms of their side chains. Tocotrienol can be defined as the ‘Unsaturated Form of Vitamin E’ whereas tocopherol is the saturated form. The review reveals that compared to the regular tocopherol, tocotrienol is by far more potent in improving cardiovascular health through superior antioxidant capabilities and without any reported mortality risk in managing ASCVD patients.  

This comparative study recently published in the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association¹, follows the rigorous guidelines set by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines 2020. The review covers literature from 2002 to January 5, 2023, across multiple databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library. The study included human clinical trials on tocotrienol or tocopherol for comparisons of their efficacy in patients with atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia leading to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Out of 516 articles, 26 met the stringent eligibility criteria, and 5 were subjected to detailed analysis.

The study highlights that tocotrienol significantly reduces cholesterol and serum inflammatory biomarkers. Specifically, at a dose of 250 mg per day, tocotrienol decreased C-reactive protein by 40%, malondialdehyde by 34%, and gamma-glutamyl transferase by 22% (p<0.001). Additionally, total antioxidant status (TAS) levels increased by 22% (p<0.001), while inflammatory cytokines such as resistin, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-12, and Interferon-gamma were reduced by 15-17% (p<0.05-0.01). Furthermore, tocotrienol aids in modulating several microRNA expressions related to cardiovascular health, including miRNA-133a, miRNA-223, miRNA-214, and miRNA-155.

To date, there is no systematic review that compares the efficacy of tocopherol and tocotrienol supplements in the management of CVDs. This comparative study reveals that tocotrienol outperforms tocopherol in enhancing cardiovascular health.

“Like Omega-3 DHA and EPA, which are superior to saturated fatty acids in promoting a healthy heart and mind, tocotrienols, the unsaturated form of Vitamin E is more potent and superior for cardiovascular and brain health, particularly the gamma-tocotrienol for heart health and alpha-tocotrienol for brain-protection^2,3. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of tocotrienol was reported to be 40 to 60 times more potent than the regular vitamin E tocopherol⁴”, said Dr. Ariati Aris, Scientific Affairs Specialist at PhytoGaia.

“The reported superior efficacy and safety of tocotrienol over tocopherol suggest that tocotrienol could play a pivotal role in managing and potentially reducing the global burden of cardiovascular disease. This breakthrough brings new hope for millions affected by these conditions”, added Dr. Ariati Aris.

“Although tocotrienols are naturally present in our diet, relying solely on food sources is often insufficient. At PhytoGaia, we have harnessed the power of tocotrienols in our sustainably sourced product, TocoGaia™. Brands and formulators can easily incorporate TocoGaia™ with other cardioprotective ingredients, such as Omega-3, CoQ10 and Phytosterols, to support a healthy heart and mind. We look forward to partnering with brand owners to create innovative, science-driven products using TocoGaia™,” stated Mr. Bryan See, Vice President of PhytoGaia.

References:

1. Rafique, S. et al. Comparative efficacy of tocotrienol and tocopherol (vitamin E) on atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in humans. J Pak Med Assoc. 2024 Jun;74(6):1124-1129. 
2. Zaiden, N. et al. Gamma delta tocotrienols reduce hepatic triglyceride synthesis and VLDL secretion.J Atheroscler Thromb. 2010; 17:1019–1032.
3. Khanna, S. et al. Neuroprotective Properties of the Natural Vitamin E alpha Tocotrienol. Stroke, 2005, 36, e144-e152.
4. Serbinova, E. et al. Free radical recycling and intramembrane mobility in the antioxidant properties of alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol. Free Radic Biol Med, 1991. 10(5), 263-275.