Tocotrienols protect the brain

Tocotrienols protect the brain

Prof. Chandan Sen: "A large proportion of the population has already had a mini-brain stroke and is therefore at high risk for a major stroke. If I had a mini-brain stroke, why wouldn't I take something that minimizes the damage of a stroke? This is not a drug, it is a nutritional countermeasure. There are no concerns about side effects, so I see it as having prophylactic value." read more...

Our brain consists of 100 billion brain cells, each of which is connected to up to 10,000 cells. A wandering work of nature.inager

We all know what happens when the complex biological structure shows signs of failure: dementia, Altzheiner's, Parkinson's...

This is where the tocotrienols come into play. Tocotrienols are forms of natural vitamin E that are characterized by their ability to penetrate biological structures much better than the usual tocopherols. They penetrate the blood/brain barrier and protect the brain cells particularly effectively. The neuroprotective properties have been precisely documented by studies at the Ohio State University (USA). The result:tocotrienols(but not tocopherols = conventional vitamin E) protect brain cells from neurodegeneration (For the study in the original text: Neuroprotective Properties of the Natural Vitamin E-tocotrienol).

tocotrienols (vitamin E3) are proven to be 40 to 60 times more efficient against the dreaded lipid peroxidation on cell membranes than "normal" vitamin E and protect the highly complex long-chain fatty acids in the brain. In addition, current studies show how the Toco has special protective mechanismstrienole for brain cells.

Here are some studies

Sep 2005 Neuroprotective Properties of the Natural Vitamin E α-tocotrienol

Results—Subattomole quantity of TCT, but not TCP, protects neurons from glutamate challenge. ..Conclusion—The natural vitamin E, TCT, acts on key molecular checkpoints to protect against glutamate- and stroke-induced neurodegeneration.

Very small amounts (subattomol) tocotrienol (but not tocopherol) protects neurons from glutamate. Tocotrienols, a natural form of vitamin E, are active at key molecular positions and protect against neurodegeneration caused by glutamate or stroke.

June 2010: Review by Prof Chandan Sen et al on alpha-tocotrienol in health and disease in brain(Palm oil-derived natural vitamin E alpha-tocotrienol in brain health and disease,full text)

"More and more new research shows that the different types of vitamin E are not interchangeable in their biological function. The oil of the palm species Elaeis guineensis represents the richest source of the type of vitamin E studied: alpha-tocotrienol. Of the 8 naturally occurring types of vitamin E, alpha-tocotrienol has a unique biological activity that is independent of a strong antioxidant effect. The current development in the research time neuron-protective properties of these fat-soluble vitamin in brain tissue, which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Arachidonic acid (AA), one of the most common PUFA fatty acids in the central nervous system, is highly susceptible to oxidative damage in diseases. After it has been released from the phospholipid layer of the cell membranes by phospholipase A(2), the arachidonic acid is further processed with and without enzyme activity. A number of neurodegenerative diseases in the human brain are related to impaired metabolism of the AA, including acute stroke due to vascular occlusion. It has been shown that alpha-tocotrienol as palm oil in concentrations of nanomol can improve the pathway of arachidonic acid and neurogeneration. In terms of concentration, it is the most potent of all biological functions of all vitamin E molecules. Despite this therapeutic potential, only approximately 1% of the literature on vitamin E addresses tocotrienols, suggesting further investment and research.

"A growing body of research supports that members of the vitamin E family are not redundant with respect to their biological function. Palm oil derived from Elaeis guineensis represents the richest source of the lesser characterized vitamin E, alpha-tocotrienol. One of 8 naturally occurring and chemically distinct vitamin E analogs, alpha-tocotrienol possesses unique biological activity that is independent of its potent antioxidant capacity. Current developments in alpha-tocotrienol research demonstrate neuroprotective properties for the Lipid-soluble vitamin in brain tissue rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), one of the most abundant PUFAs of the central nervous system, is highly susceptible to oxidative metabolism and pathologic conditions. Cleaved from the membrane phospholipid bilayer by cytosolic phospholipase A(2), AA is metabolized by both enzymatic and nonenzymatic pathways PUFA metabolism of AA, including acute ischemic stroke Palm oil-derived alpha-tocotrienol at nanomolar concentrations "Been shown to attenuate both enzymatic and nonenzymatic mediators of AA metabolism and neurodegeneration. On a concentration basis, this represents the most potent of all biological functions exhibited by any natural vitamin E molecule investigation."

March 2016:tocotrienolinproves learning and memory deficit of aged rats.

In older rats, tocotrienol was found to improve cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Underneath it was proven that the cell death of neurons was reduced. The age-related lowering of various transport molecules in the blood/brain barrier was prevented.

Aug 2015:Dietary tocotrienol/γ-Cyclodextrin Complex Increases Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and ATP Concentrations in the Brains of Aged Mice
In animal experiments it was proven that annatto-tocotrienols (in cyclodextrins, i.e. as a powder) could significantly increase the performance of brain cells. In particular, the membrane potential of the mitochindria was improved and the ATP concentration was increased.

Oct 2012: Tocopherols and tocotrienols plasma levels are associated with cognitive impairment.

The connection between Alzheiner's disease and MCI (mild cognitive impairment) with the levels of tocopyrolene and tocotrienolsn was examined. A clear connection was found."In addition, both diseases were associated with increased damage to vitamin E molecules. Low levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols are related to increased likelihood of Alzheimer's disease and MCI."

May 2012: Neurochem Int. 2012 May 18. [Epub ahead of print] Attenuation of NF-kappa-beta mediated apoptotic signaling by tocotrienol ameliorates cognitive deficits in rats postnatally exposed to ethanol.

The study showed in rats that alcohol-induced brain damage, inflammation of brain cells (oxidative-nitrosative stress, TNF-α, IL-1β and TGF-β1) and neuronal cell death (NF-κβ and caspase-3) could be improved by treatment with tocotrienolsn. This was tested using a cognitive performance test (maze).

April 2009:Suppression of NF-kappabeta signaling pathway bytocotrienolcan prevent diabetes associated cognitive deficits. Diabetes leads to neurological damage. This study determined that the activation of NFkappaB is involved. This indicates a therapeutic potential for tocotrienols in encephalopathy due to diabetes.

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