Diabetes
The "Step-1 Diet" recommended by the American Heart Association demonstrated significant improvements in blood sugar control for both type 1 and type 2 Diabetes with a diet enriched in Vitamin E Tocotrienols over 60 days. This supplementation led to notable reductions in HbA1c (a 3-month blood sugar level indicator) and fasting blood glucose levels, along with improvements in lipid profiles. In type 2 Diabetes, reductions of up to 15% in HbA1c and 33% in fasting glucose were observed.
Tocotrienols have been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity by activating Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR), a group of proteins regulating energy production, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. Unfortunately, health issues linked to elevated blood sugar levels are becoming increasingly prevalent, with over 10% of the U.S. population diagnosed with Diabetes. Equally concerning is the prevalence of Pre-Diabetic Metabolic Syndrome, affecting approximately 35% of U.S. adults. This syndrome aligns with the obesity epidemic and encompasses five markers: elevated triglycerides, high blood pressure, elevated serum glucose, reduced HDL cholesterol, and increased waist circumference. Clinical trials have revealed that Tocotrienols, particularly those from Annatto, effectively address these markers by lowering triglycerides, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and improving glucose metabolism.
References
Journal of Indian Medicine Association (2023) - Effect of tocotrienol on liver enzymes, fatty liver and liver stiffness in people with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD: a pilot study based on biochemical and transient elastography parameters
Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association (2022) - Effects of delta-tocotrienol supplementation on glycaemic control in individuals with prediabetes — a randomized controlled study
Nutrients (2021) - A Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Effects of Tocotrienol-Rich Vitamin E on Diabetic Kidney Disease
Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (2021) - Comparative Efficacy of Tocotrienol and Tocopherol for their Anti Diabetic Effects
Phototherapy Research (2021) - Effects of delta-tocotrienol supplementation on Glycemic Control, oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers and miRNA expression in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized control trial
International Journal of Molecular Science (2019) - Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Metabolic Properties of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols: Clinical Implications for Vitamin E Supplementation in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Scientific Reports (2018) - Annatto-extracted tocotrienols improve glucose homeostasis and bone properties in high-fat diet-induced type 2 diabetic mice by decreasing the inflammatory response