Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsSide EffectsDosageWhat to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Side Effects
Dosage
What to Look For
Unlike other forms of vitamin E, tocotrienols are less commonly found in nature. Most of the food we eat contains tocopherols instead of tocotrienols. However, several types of vegetable oils, like palm oil, contain high amounts of tocotrienols.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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Benefits of Tocotrienols
Research suggests that tocotrienols are powerful antioxidants that can combat inflammation in the body.This anti-inflammatory effect may have several potential benefits, including:
Brain Cell Protection
Some studies suggest that tocotrienols have a neuroprotective effects against Alzheimer’s disease.Tocotrienol may also play a role in combatingParkinson’s disease.However, this research was conducted in mice, not humans.
Decreased Cancer Risk
There’s evidence that tocotrienols can suppress the growth of different malignancies, including those of breast, lung, ovary, prostate, liver, brain, colon, myeloma, and pancreas.The majority of these studies were performed in vitro or in mice, though, not in humans.
Better Heart Health
Tocotrienols may prevent heart-damaging inflammation and help reduce cholesterol levels.There is also research to suggest that tocotrienol supplementation may reduce the risk of aging-related heart disease due to their high antioxidant activity.
Antioxidant therapy has been proposed as a means to prevent heart disease. Although tocotrienols have not specifically been investigated for this purpose, tocotrienols are known to have 40 to 60 times more antioxidant activity than tocopherols.
Immune-Boosting Effects
Animal studies suggest a possible link between tocotrienols and improved immune function. Some research also shows that tocotrienol may enhance the body’s immune response to vaccinations for the flu and tetanus. Overall, it appears that the immune-boosting effects of tocotrienols is more pronounced in older people.
Anti-Aging Benefits
A 2022 review of studies found tocotrienols protect the skin from inflammation, UV radiation, and melanin accumulation (patches of skin that become darker than the surrounding skin). Furthermore, tocotrienols may provide even more protection for aging skin than tocopherols and vitamin C, the latter of which is frequently used in skincare.
Hair Growth
Only one study has shown that a mixture of tocotrienols, taken orally every day for four to eight weeks, may effectively increase hair growth in people withalopecia areata. The study took place in 2010, however, and no updated studies have been done since.
More ResearchOverall, the research into tocotrienols is promising, but more research is needed to fully understand the potential health benefits of this form of vitamin E.
More Research
Overall, the research into tocotrienols is promising, but more research is needed to fully understand the potential health benefits of this form of vitamin E.
Possible Side Effects
Researchers haven’t found any notable side effects related to using tocotrienols. That said, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid taking too much. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re considering supplementing with tocotrienols.
There’s little research on the topical application of tocotrienols, but what researchers know so far suggests it’s safe to apply tocotrienol-infused products to the skin. However, like with any skincare product, there’s a potential for skin irritation. If you are using a skincare product for the first time, test it against a small area of skin before applying it to more widespread areas.
At normal doses, there’s no evidence that tocotrienols interact with any drugs. However, you should still talk to your healthcare provider before trying this supplement. High amounts of tocotrienols may interfere with medications like warfarin, aspirin, cyclosporine, and tamoxifen.
Dosage and Preparation
The recommended average daily intake of vitamin E for adults is 15 milligrams (mg) per day.Taking higher amounts in supplement form may cause adverse effects. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), too much vitamin E can increase your internal bleeding risk. The NIH cautions against taking more than 1,000 mg per day.
For most people, eating vitamin E from foods shouldn’t cause any problems. If you take a supplement and get plenty of vitamin E in your diet, you may be taking too much, even if you’re taking the recommended dose on the supplement bottle.
You can get tocotrienols through your diet. However, they’re in fewer widely available foods than tocopherols. You can also take tocotrienol in supplement form.
When you’re shopping for a vitamin E supplement or a multivitamin that contains vitamin E, always check the dosage. Avoid products that provide very high doses of vitamin E.
Naturally sourced vitamin E will usually be labeled as d-alpha-tocopherol. Laboratory-made vitamin E will show up asdl-alpha-tocopherol.
Food Sources of Tocotrienols
Like with most vitamins, your best bet is to get them through food sources. Tocotrienols are a bit harder to get through your diet than tocopherols because they’re primarily found in plant oils and also in a few whole grains and nuts. Plant oil sources of tocotrienols include:
Other foods containing tocotrienols include:
Summary
Tocotrienols are a type of vitamin E. They are less commonly found in foods and supplements. Studies suggest tocotrienols are a more potent form of vitamin E than tocopherol and may have several health benefits, but more research is needed and other forms of vitamin E should not be discounted as they too have health benefits when consumed in moderate amounts.
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking supplements like vitamin E. They can advise you on potential interactions with medications you’re taking and let you know the right dose for your needs. They may even recommend not supplementing if you get enough vitamin E through your diet or have certain health conditions.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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