Dear Friends,
You may have seen us mention the term "Super Vitamin E.” Some folks thought we were suggesting taking a “mega-dose” of regular vitamin E, but that’s not the case – and actually, that could be dangerous to ingest regularly.
Let me explain what we mean by Super Vitamin E…
Vitamin E isn't just a single molecule but a family of compounds. While most of us are familiar with alpha-tocopherol, the “regular” form found in most foods and supplements, there's another group called tocotrienols that's generating a lot of buzz in the scientific community because they may be more potent.
What’s the difference between tocopherols and tocotrienols?
It’s an ever-so-slight difference in the “tail” of their chemical structure. You know how there are saturated fats and unsaturated fats? It’s a similar story with these vitamin E molecules too.
Tocotrienols are more nimble because their unsaturated tail allows them to penetrate cell membranes more efficiently. This unique property is believed to be key to why they may be more potent and offer you greater health benefits.
The late Dr. Lester Packer, a renowned antioxidant researcher, found that tocotrienols' antioxidant activity was 40 to 60 times greater than regular vitamin E. This discovery sparked two decades of research, particularly in brain health.
Dr. Chandan Sen, building on Packer's work, conducted studies showing that tocotrienols could protect brain cells from glutamate-induced damage at concentrations 1,000 times lower than those required for tocopherols.
The amino acid glutamate is a neurotransmitter that brain cells use to send messages to each other. When some glutamate gets trapped outside cells (more common as we age), it can cause damage over time. Tocotrienols help protect against cell damage caused by glutamate.
This discovery led to extensive research at Ohio State University Medical Center, much of which was funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH). These researchers uncovered five different mechanisms by which tocotrienols may protect brain cells.
One of the largest human studies with tocotrienols looked at their effect on the vascular network in the brain. This network becomes more fragile as we age, and “leaking pipes” can hurt cognitive function over time. An indication of a deteriorating vascular network in the brain is the formation of white matter lesions (WML). After 2 years of taking tocotrienols, the progression of WML was slowed.
More generally, researchers from Stockholm, Sweden, led a series of studies with senior citizens from six European countries that showed higher blood levels of BOTH tocotrienols and tocopherols were associated with better cognitive function (not the case with just tocopherols).
Beyond brain health, tocotrienols have shown promise in supporting cardiovascular health, liver function, and even hair and skin health.
Given that tocotrienols are scarce in our diets, with red palm oil being the best food source, a high-quality supplement can be beneficial.
In our TrueE supplement, we use EVnol SupraBio, a sustainably sourced red palm oil extract that provides all four tocotrienols plus natural alpha-tocopherol. Better yet, it includes a patented delivery system that increases tocotrienol absorption by up to 250%.
By combining all forms of vitamin E, TrueE offers a more complete "E vitamin complex," much like a B vitamin complex.
That’s why we call it the Super Vitamin E and recommend it for you and our other clients.
Researchers are still in the early stages of discovering how tocotrienols can support wellness and healthy aging. Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting field of research develops!
For more health tips and updates, don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel or listen to our podcast on your favorite streaming service.
Yours for Good Health,
Carl Pradelli
