Top 5 Tocotrienol Sources You Can Add to Your Plate Today

Did you know? Vitamin E was first discovered 103 years ago, in 1922, by scientists
Herbert McLean Evans and Kathrine Julia Scott Bishop.

Vitamin E was initially discovered for reproduction and overall health. After further research, it was found that Vitamin E is a fat-soluble component that possesses potent antioxidant properties. It exists in two fat-soluble forms: Tocopherols and Tocotrienols. Both families include four members: alpha, beta, delta, and gamma. However, tocotrienol is considered much better because of its potent antioxidant properties.

Tocotrienol vs. Tocopherol: What's the Difference?

Vitamin E Tocotrienol is 50x more potent than tocopherol as an antioxidant. The main difference between tocopherols and tocotrienols are that the side chains of the tocotrienol molecule are unsaturated. They have double bonds within the molecule. On the other hand, tocopherols do not have double bonds and have a saturated side chain. Because of this difference, tocotrienol has more significant antioxidant activity.

Discovery of Tocotrienol

Dr. Barrie Tan first discovered Tocotrienol. He has made notable contributions in the
field of vitamin E, particularly plant-based tocotrienols. These discoveries include
tocotrienols from palm oil in the year 1992, then from rice bran oil in 1998, and then
from annatto seeds in the year 2002.

In this article, we will explore Vitamin E Tocotrienol, one of the top 5 natural sources of
tocotrienol, and how you can incorporate it into your diet.

Benefits of Vitamin E Tocotrienol

Many antioxidants exist in nature, including lycopene, CoQ10, and lutein. However, vitamin E Tocotrienol has proven to be highly effective and uniquely equipped to penetrate and reside within the cell membrane. Aside from being 50 times more effective than tocopherols at protecting cell membranes, tocotrienols can safeguard the composition of essential fats found in foods and supplements like omega-3. They also have anti-inflammatory effects and can support cardiovascular health, bone health, brain health, skin health, age support, and immune function. In addition to their antioxidant properties, tocotrienols have been studied for their potential anti-cancer effects.

5 Natural Sources of Vitamin E Tocotrienol

1. Annatto seeds:

Annatto is derived from the seeds of the plant known as Achiote. It is also known as Bixa Orellana. It is more commonly used as a natural food coloring agent that gives yellow or orange color to food products such as dairy products, baked goods, breakfast cereals, etc. It has also recently been the key to the greatest Vitamin E creation ever!

Dr. Barrie Tan discovered the purest and the most potent source of Vitamin E called tocotrienols from the Annatto seeds. He mentions Annatto as a 'One Plant Wonder' in his book, 'The truth about Vitamin E,'. Annatto contains 100% tocotrienols and it is entirely free of Tocopherols. It contains approximately 90% delta-tocotrienol and 10% gamma-tocotrienol that makes them highly potent.

Extraction process: A two-step procedure is used to extract tocotrienols from annatto seeds. First, the seeds are exposed to high pressure carbon dioxide via a process known as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Tocotrienol-containing oil is extracted using this method, while other chemicals are left behind. Bixin, a naturally occurring pigment, is then extracted from the leftover seed material using a low-pressure solvent extraction procedure.

How to Use: Incorporating Annatto, a natural source of tocotrienols, into your diet is simple and versatile. It is rich in tocotrienols and its mild nutty flavor enhances dishes while delivering health benefits.

2. Palm oil:

Palm oil contains 70% tocotrienol. Study shows that it may have significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to reduce inflammation and combat chronic diseases like cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Extraction process: Vitamin E Tocotrienol is extracted from palm fatty acid using a method called molecular distillation. It works by separating compounds based on their boiling points which helps isolate tocotrienols.

How to use: You can incorporate palm oil into your meals, which can quickly boost
your tocotrienol intake while enjoying its versatility and health benefits.

3. Rice Bran Oil

Rice bran oil is a cooking oil extracted from the outer layer of rice grains. It is rich in antioxidants and study indicates that it contains 61% tocotrienol.

Extraction process: The study conducted in 2018 focused on δ-(delta) tocotrienol, a form of vitamin E extracted from rice bran oil, which is derived from the outer layer of rice grains. The extraction process involves tocotrienols from rice bran oil using molecular distillation or chromatography, which ensure a high-purity yield.

How to Use: You can easily use it in your meals and it may help in reducing inflammation by targeting specific pathways in cells that regulate the body's inflammatory response.

4. Wheat germ oil:

Wheat germ oil is a nutrient-rich oil extracted from the germ, the innermost part of the wheat kernel. According to research, wheat germ oil contains around 0.5 to 1% tocotrienol.

Extraction process: It is extracted from the germ of wheat kernels including tocopherols and tocotrienols. The study found that wheat germ oil may help protect liver cells by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

How to use: Wheat germ oil is an antioxidant and nutrient-packed oil. It can be used as a substitute for other cooking oils and enjoy its health benefits.

5. Barley oil:

Barley oil contains 75% tocotrienol, it is a nutrient-rich oil extracted from barley grains, containing tocotrienols and healthy fatty acids. It is also well known for its possible benefits in cholesterol management and heart health support.

Extraction process: It is extracted from barley grains using solvent extraction, which helps preserve its nutrients.

How to use: It can be added to your diet as a finishing oil for cooked dishes. Avoid cooking with it at high heat to preserve its nutrients.

Conclusion

As we can see, there are many natural sources of tocotrienols. It includes annatto seeds, palm oil, rice bran oil, barley, and wheat germ oil. However, because of the higher concentration of potent gamma and delta tocotrienol in annatto, it is considered as the best source. These natural sources of tocotrienol provide various health benefits including supporting heart health, reducing inflammation, and overall well-being. For best effects, you can also add a tocotrienol supplement to your diet.