WHAT FOODS ARE HIGH IN TOCOTRIENOLS?

WHAT FOODS ARE HIGH IN TOCOTRIENOLS?

11 Feb 2022
WHAT FOODS ARE HIGH IN TOCOTRIENOLS?

Antioxidants like Vitamin E tocotrienols are the neutralising and stabilising agents that act as scavengers to the reactive and unstable free radicals. These species trap and mask these damaging free radicals from making bonds with the phospholipids arranged at the cell membranes, thereby preventing cell wall damage or disruption. This action in turn enhances the lives and the health of the cells that form various body structures like skin, heart, brain, bones, blood vessels, muscles, etc.  These antioxidants provide the first line of defence against lipid peroxidation initiated by the reactive oxygen species/free radicals, thereby diminishing oxidative stress. The raised oxidative stress is responsible for various chronic and life threatening diseases like:

 

  • Chronic Inflammatory diseases especially in heart, blood vessels, and bones
  • Hyperlipidemia (Raised blood cholesterol levels)
  • Arthritis 
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular Diseases & Mets
  • Eye Diseases (Retinal Neurodegeneration Diseases/Diabetic Neuropathy)
  • Immuno-deficient diseases 
  • Weakened bones
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Asthma
  • Skin diseases
  • Radiation Damage
  • Diabetes with Hyperlipidemia
  • Bone Fractures
  • Osteoporosis
  • Post-menopausal Osteopnea 
  • NAFLD “Fatty Liver”

However, tocotrienols are known to alter the order of cell membrane’s lipid packaging into a tighter rearrangement providing better stability and protection to the cells from scavenging free radicals. Moreover, antioxidants act as protective shield against the damaging effects of peroxyl free radicals on the DNA strands. These natural vitamin E molecules also play a therapeutic role in controlling hyperlipidemia and carotid stenosis (cause behind stroke).

Following are some major natural Tocotrienol sources:

  • Annatto
  • Palm
  • Rice
  • Wheat germ
  • Coconut
  • Cocoa
  • Rye
  • Oats
  • Barley

Out of all the above, annatto is supposed to be the best tocotrienol source with the amazing natural anti-cancer capabilities.

Why is Annatto the best source of tocotrienol?

Annatto is the most potent source of the purest form of Vitamin E as it contains maximum concentration of Delta Tocotrienols. It has been proven that the Delta Tocotrienol has the maximum bioavailability among all the eight isoforms of the vitamin E. This led to the basis for the synthesis of 100% Natural Vitamin E Tocotrienols supplements from annatto beans. 

Annatto is the source of tocopherol free vitamin E with 90% Delta Gold Tocotrienol. It is the most advanced Vitamin E supplement as it contains zero tocopherols Figure 1. (Table). It is to be specified here that if an individual is consuming supplementary tocotrienols, he/she should not go for another vitamin E form containing alpha tocopherol as it renders the bioavailability of the supplement poorer and interferes with its key therapeutic effects. 

Source

Alpha-Tocotrienols

Beta-Tocotrienols

Gamma-Tocotrienols

Delta-Tocotrienols

Tocopherol

Annatto

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Palm

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Rice

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Wheat germ

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

Coconut

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Cocoa

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

Summary Note

Indian Nutrition markets are flooded with the Vitamin E supplements, each claiming the best therapeutic results. However, most of the Indian dietary supplements delivering Vitamin E are Tocopherol based, not Tocotrienol based. Being an unaware buyer/user, we do not know what Vitamin E form one must choose to avail maximum vitamin E benefits. So, one should look for natural vitamin E preparations, especially the ones which are annatto based for minimum side effects and amazing health credits.

 

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