Benefit From the Whole Range of Tocopherols
D-alpha tocopherol is the best known of the four tocopherols making up the natural tocopherol portion of Vitamin E that is found in oils. While it may lack some of the stability of the acetate and succinate forms of Vitamin E, the d-alpha tocopherol found in mixed tocopherols retains the same benefits (it is also known as the best form of Vitamin E for external use). It can be used after sunburn and its antioxidant powers prevent scarring and aging of the skin. Similarly, on the surfaces of the stomach, it can assist the healing of gastric ulcers. Do the other tocopherols have value as well?
Although alpha tocopherol is still the most valuable tocopherol for human health and numerous studies show its benefits, recent research indicates that gamma tocopherol is also important to human health and that it possesses unique features that distinguish it from alpha tocopherol. Studies indicate that the other tocopherols, such as beta and delta tocopherol, may also play a minor but meaningful role.
What is Gamma Tocopherol and Where is it Found?
Gamma tocopherol is one of several Vitamin E compounds and it is the major form of Vitamin E in many plant seeds. Although gamma tocopherol is the most abundant form of Vitamin E in the diet, it is not maintained at the same concentrations as alpha tocopherol in the body. As noted in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition "alpha tocopherol is the predominant form of Vitamin E in most human and animal tissues, including blood plasma."
However evidence suggests that gamma tocopherol has properties that are important to human health and that are not shared by alpha tocopherol. In fact, supplementation with gamma tocopherol has been shown to increase plasma and tissue concentration of alpha tocopherol. What else have we learned about the lesser-known "poor cousin" of alpha tocopherol?
Gamma Tocopherol Protects Against Inflammatory Diseases
Although alpha tocopherol has been shown to be a better antioxidant than gamma tocopherol, gamma tocopherol is a superior anti-inflammatory. That is because gamma tocopherol is better able to trap reactive nitrogen oxide species (RNOS). Reactive nitrogen oxide species are associated with "chronic inflammation related to diseases such as cancer, CVD (cardiovascular disease), and neurodegenerative disorders." Mounting research shows that gamma tocopherol plays a role in controlling chronic inflammation-related diseases including arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Another important reason to make sure that we get enough gamma tocopherol is that it also works as a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor. "A plethora of recent studies have shown over expression of COX-2 in a variety of human malignancies, both gastrointestinal (colon, esophagus, stomach, pancreas), as well as outside the gastrointestinal tract (lung, breast, bladder, and cervix). Increased COX-2 levels have been shown to correlate with higher stage, larger tumor size, presence of lymphatic metastasis, risk of recurrence, and, most importantly, significantly poorer survival in colorectal cancers."
COX-2 over expression is also implicated in Type 1 diabetes. Again, gamma tocopherol shows benefit. Research indicates that "gamma tocopherol may play a role in preventing Type 1 diabetes, a devastating complication that affects millions..."
Its Role in Cancer Prevention
Recent evidence indicates that gamma tocopherol may be a more powerful chemo preventative than alpha tocopherol, and that it is better at inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Note the following:
The prostate cancer connection
A 1989 study that tested men living in Washington County, Maryland who developed prostate cancer found that men who had high levels of both alpha and gamma tocopherols had a five-fold reduction in prostate cancer when compared to the group that had high levels of only alpha tocopherol. "Selenium and alpha tocopherol, the major form of Vitamin E in supplements, appear to have a protective effect against prostate cancer.
However, little attention has been paid to the possible role of gamma tocopherol, a major component of Vitamin E in the U.S. diet and the second most common tocopherol in human serum. The association between selenium and prostate cancer risk was in the protective direction with individuals in the top four fifths of the distribution having a reduced risk of prostate cancer compared with individuals in the bottom fifth.
Statistically significant protective associations for high levels of selenium and alpha tocopherol were observed only when gamma tocopherol concentrations were high. The use of combined alpha and gamma tocopherol supplements should be considered in upcoming prostate cancer prevention trials, given the observed interaction between alpha tocopherol, gamma tocopherol, and selenium."
Tocopherols help prevent cardiovascular disease
A study that appeared in May 2002 edition of the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology
indicates that mixed tocopherols (gamma, delta and alpha) counteract the development of cardiovascular disease when compared to an intake of large amounts of pure alpha tocopherol. In the laboratory experiment, a mixture of tocopherols was found to have a stronger inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation in human red blood cells, than alpha tocopherol alone. "Both alpha tocopherol and the tocopherol mixture protected the cells from lipid peroxidation, the mixture being much more potent than alpha tocopherol alone. This study indicates that a mixture of tocopherols has a much stronger inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation induced in human erythrocytes than alpha tocopherol alone..."
Some animal studies have also shown that gamma tocopherol can decrease platelet aggregation (stickiness) and thrombosis as well as or better than alpha tocopherol. Source: Natural Factors
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Vitamin E 400 IU, Mixed, 100% Natural - 180 Softgels - Natural Factors
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Vitamin E 400 IU, Mixed (d-alpha tocopherol) by Natural Factors. 100% Natural source Vitamin E is a key nutrient for heart health, immune support and nerve and muscle function. This product contains additional tocopherols: beta, delta and gamma.
As a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin E is an essential ally against pollution, aging, toxins and other causes of free radical damage. This is a form which includes mixed tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) which may contribute to a greater health effect than alpha tocopherol alone.
Mixed Vitamin E is mainly d-alpha tocopherol but retains a natural balance of d-beta, d-delta and d-gamma tocopherols naturally found in vegetable oils. This natural form of vitamin E has been extracted by cold pressing methods that do not damage the tocopherols. No chemical solvents are used.
Vitamin E (D-alpha-tocopherol) is a fat-soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from pollution, toxins and free radicals. Vitamin E is the major antioxidant in lipid body tissues and the primary defense against lipid peroxidation, particularly in tissues that contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as the brain and central nervous system. As an antioxidant, vitamin E may help protect against cardiovascular disease, some cancers, cataracts, premature aging and other chronic degenerative diseases. It also protects other vitamins (such as vitamins A and C) from oxidation. Vitamin E's ability to protect cell membranes makes it valuable for people in polluted environments and those with active lifestyles, as physical exertion increases production of free radicals. Approximately 400 IU of vitamin E reduces exercise-induced free radical damage and helps with athletic performance. Experts agree that obtaining adequate vitamin E from the daily diet is difficult and therefore recommend daily supplementation.
Men and women who supplement with at least 100 IU of vitamin E per day have a 37-41% drop in the risk of heart disease.
CHAOS (Cambridge Heart Antioxidant Study) reported a 77% drop in nonfatal heart attacks when people were given 400-800 IU of vitamin E per day.
Natural source vitamin E, designated by the prefix D, (D-alpha-tocopherol), is twice as bioavailable as synthetic vitamin E, designated by the prefix DL (DL-alpha-tocopherol).
All Natural Factors products are manufactured according to Canadian Health Protection Branch Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), among the highest standards in the world.
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Scientific References
- [www.oncodx.com/markers/cox2.htm].
- Helzlsouer, Kathy J., Han-Yao Huang, et al. Association between alpha tocopherol, gamma tocopherol, selenium, and subsequent prostate cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol 92, No. 24, 2018-2023, December 20, 2000.
- Liu, Meilin; Wallin, Rolf et al. Mixed tocopherols have a stronger inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation than alpha tocopherol alone. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology.2002; 39: 714-721.
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