Tocotrienol, the definitive antioxidant

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Tocotrienol Antioxidant

Source: efeeventos.com .

Tocotrienol, the definitive antioxidant

Bogota (EFE). C.C Pereira, Biochemist and Dean Emeritus of Simon Bolivar de Colombia University, highlighted the anticholesterolemic, dermoprotective, antioxidant andneuroprotective properties of Palm Tocotrienol, a group member of Vitamin E whilst speaking at the EFE Industry Forum, stating that it was “the definitive generation of antioxidants”.

Tocotrienol is an essential nutrient for the body which can only be obtained in very small quantities from certain vegetable oils such as palm, rice bran, barley, achiote or wheat germ. Just as in any other form of Vitamin E it is noted for its potent antioxidant properties. That is, it is highly effective in countering the free radicals which cause “oxidative” processes in the body.

According to the Forum organised by Agencia EFE, recent Scientific investigations identify Tocotrienol as the antioxidant with the greatest properties for health. This is due to its molecular structure which, when compared to Tocoferol or other common forms of Vitamin E, is more flexible with its three double links in its “molecular column”. It is this characteristic which converts Tocotrienol into a unique biocomponent which, in contrast to Tocoferol, means it is not susceptible to being produced chemically or synthetically.

Cardiovascular Health

With regards to Cardiovascular health, Tocotrienol also inhibits the production of cholesterol in the body by acting on the HMGCoA reductase , the rate limiting enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of cholesterol in the liver, which provides a safer alternative to address LDL in the blood than statins.
Furthermore, it reduces inflammation and the accumulation of Lipids in arteries thereby reducing the concentration of Lipoproteins and Apolipoprotein B thus enabling the flexibility and general good health of the arteries, making Tocotrienol an efficacious preventative treatment against arteriosclerosis and heart attacks.

Neuroprotection

It is for these reasons that Ohio State University’s Medical Centre has stated that repeated investigations show that this derivative of Vitamin E has the greatest known neuroprotective properties with regards to preventing cerebrovascular damage.

Diabetes, Alzheimers and certain types of cancer are also current fields of investigation.

Anti-aging

Alfa-Tocotrienol is between 40 and 60 times more active than Alfa-Tocoferol which means that, although its use in Anti-aging formulas is in its early stages, it is clear that within 5 years it will be prevalent throughout the Cosmetic Industry.

From a dermatological viewpoint, Tocotrienol accumulates in the first layer of the dermis, the Stratum Corneum, thus neutralising the effects of the free radicals in less time and with greater efficacy than Tocoferol. Clinical studies undertaken by Excelvite and Davos, the two largest Asian producers of Tocotrienol, show that, applied topically, Tocotrienol penetrates skin quickly with the greatest concentrations found in the first five microns of the skin. Furthermore, it prevents cellular raging by reversing the effects of oxidative stress in the Fibroblasts and increasing the length of the DNA structures of the skin known as Telomeres.

Skin pigmentation

One of the least known uses of Tocotrienol according to Hector Castro, Director General of Biosa, the first Latin American to use and commercialise Palm Tocotrienols, is found in its ability to reduce skin pigmentation through inhibiting the Tyrosinase in the synthesis of Melanin. One study shows that the production of Melanin is reduced by 45 % making the tocotrienol 100 times more potent than others used as a depigmentation agent, a factor to take into account considering how fast the skin-lightening market is growing with business reaching close to $ 10,000 million in 2015.