Tocotrienols Clinical Evidence

Nutrition

Chin S, et al. Reduction of DNA damage in older healthy adults by Tri E Tocotrienol supplementation. 2008 Jan;24(1):1-10.

Topic:
Can supplementation with tocotrienols reduce DNA damage?

Background:
Tocotrienols are a form of vitamin E, one of the body’s primary antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body against the physiological deterioration associated with aging by scavenging free radicals. Are tocotrienols effective for this purpose?

Study Type:
Human clinical intervention trial

Study Design:
Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind. Subjects took tocotrienols (as Tri E Tocotrienol) or a placebo and their blood was analyzed for DNA damage. Urine samples were also analyzed.

Subjects:
64 subjects, aged 37-78

Dosage:
160 mg/day for 6 months

Results:
DNA damage was significantly reduced at 3 months and maintained that level at 6 months. Sister chromatid exchanges (a kind of genetic mutation) were reduced at 6 months, especially in the subjects aged 50 and older. Urinary 8-OHdG (a marker of oxidative stress excreted in urine) levels were also significantly reduced.

Conclusion:
In subjects taking the higher dose, lemon balm alleviated the negative mood induced by the test. These subjects’ self-ratings of calmness were significantly higher than other subjects’. Additionally, subjects taking the lower dose were significantly faster at the test, with no loss of accuracy. Tri E Tocotrienol supplementation may be beneficial by reducing DNA damage as indicated by a reduction in DNA damage, SCE frequency, and urinary 8-OHdG.

Tocotrienols Mechanism of Action

As a form of vitamin E, tocotrienols are antioxidants that reduce damage caused by free radicals, which are missing an electron, by stabilizing them through the donation of an electron. As a result, they reduce DNA damage, sister chromatid exchanges (a genetic mutation in which parts of a chromosome exchange similar genetic material with each other), and levels of 8-OHdg, a marker of oxidative stress in urine.