VITAMIN E

TOCOPHEROLS AND TOCOTRIENOLS

History

Two common forms: tocopherols and tocotrienols Tocopherols were discovered in 1922 by Herbert Evans and Katherine Bishop (1)
Performing

studies on the reproduction in rats Lard was the only source of fat from their food, creating Vitamin E deficiency

History (Continued)

Original name for vitamin E: anti-sterility factor

(2)

Nutrient renamed vitamin E in 1925 (2)

The

last vitamin discovered was D

Tocotrienols discovered in 1964 (3)

Eight different forms of vitamin E discovered:

Alpha-,

beta-, gamma-, and delta tocopherols Alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta tocotrienols

Tocotrienols

Beneficial properties:

Lipid-lowering, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antiatherogenic,and anti-inflammatory (4)

More powerful antioxidant and anticancer effects on the human body than tocopherols (4). In food, tocotrienols exist in lower concentration levels than tocopherols (3). Extraction of this form for disease prevention and health is becoming more prominent (3).

Structures

(4)

(4) Similar structures. Same basic chemical structure with single, extending side chain. Main difference is the double bonds and chiral centers.

Metabolic Pathway

Mouth (lingual lipase) stomach (churning, gastric lipase) small intestine (chylomicrons) liver peripheral tissues

(5)

Availability

Vitamin E can be consumed naturally or synthetically.

Also added to different foods/products.

Synthetic is not as efficient in absorption, making it a less effective alternative to the natural form (6).
The liver only recognizes the naturally occurring forms. Unrecognized forms of synthetic vitamin E are excreted (6).

Natural Form

Vegetable oils Nuts and nut oil Olives Seeds Egg yolk Leafy green vegetables

Cheese Margarine Oatmeal Soya beans Avocados

(7)

Natural Form (Continued)

(http://xueshe8.com/what-is-vitamin-e-what-does-vitamin-e-do/)

Synthetic Form

Food supplements
Tocopherols

and tocotrienols are usually combined into soft gel capsules (4).

Contain all eight vitamin E stereoisomers

Only

one stereoisomer is the naturally-occurring

form (6).

Higher amount of synthetic vitamin E (almost double) is needed to equal the amounts consumed naturally (6).

Recommended Amounts

Recommended: 15 mg for adults Does not need to be consumed every day to meet recommendations because it is fat-soluble

(8)

Deficiency

<500 mg/dL (7) Vitamin E deficiency is rare.

May

occur in people with mild anemia, ataxia, retina color changes, premature infants, or an inability to absorb fat readily (8).

Supplements can be helpful

Side effects: neurological degeneration, muscle weakness, retinal degeneration, or impairment of immune response (9).

Toxicity

No evidence of toxicity from natural food sources. Risk for hemorrhagic stroke if levels do exceed (10).

(8)

Benefits

Powerful antioxidant essential to human health

Reduces

oxidative stress damage

Oxidative

stress relates to atherosclerosis, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, Alzheimer disease, diabetes, and aging (11).

Conclusion

Fat-soluble vitamins are essential nutrients in the human diet.

Although the synthetic form can be beneficial, consuming the natural form of vitamin E is best. There are numerous benefits of vitamin E, mainly relating to its role as an antioxidant.

http://www.drdobbin.co.uk/vitamin-e

References
1. 2.

Niki E, Traber M. A history of vitamin E. Annals Of Nutrition & Metabolism. November 2012;61(3):207-212. http://www.discoveriesinmedicine.com/To-Z/Vitamin-E.html

3.

The History of Tocotrienols. Fitday website. http://www.fitday.com/fitness articles/nutrition/vitamins minerals/the-history-of-tocotrienols.html#b. Accessed March 12, 2013.
Wong R, Radhakrishnan A. Tocotrienol research: past into present. Nutrition Reviews. September 2012;70(9):483-490. Pablo Mardones, Attilio Rigotti. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry . May 2004 (Vol. 15, Issue 5, Pages 252-260, DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2004.02.006). Natural vs. Synthetic Here is the Difference. ADM website. http://www.adm.com/en US/products/Documents/ADM-Natural-vs-Synthetic-Vitamin-E.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2013. Colombo M. An update on vitamin E, tocopherol and tocotrienol - perspectives. Molecules. April 2010;15(4):2103-2113. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin E. Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health website. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE HealthProfessional/. Accessed March 13, 2013. Morton A. Why bother to take vitamins? Journal of the royal society of medicine (Supplement). July 2011;104(1):S19-S29. Schrks M, Glynn R, Rist P, Tzourio C, Kurth T. Effects of vitamin E on stroke subtypes:meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ: British Medical Journal (Overseas & Retired Doctors Edition). November 13, 2010;341(7781):1033. Limberaki E, Eleftheriou P, Vagdatli E, Kostoglou V, Petrou C. Serum antioxidant status among young, middleaged and elderly people before and after antioxidant rich diet. Hippokratia. April 2012;16(2):118-123.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.