Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome encompasses a constellation of conditions that collectively elevate the risk of Heart Disease, Stroke, Type 2 Diabetes, and mortality. It reflects the widespread obesity epidemic, affecting two out of three U.S. adults. As defined by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Metabolic Syndrome comprises elevated blood pressure (above 130/85 mm Hg), elevated serum glucose (above 100mg/dl), increased waist circumference (above 40 inches or 102 cm for men, and above 35 inches or 88 cm for women), decreased "good" HDL (under 40 mg/dl for men and under 50 mg/dl for women), and increased serum triglycerides (above 150mg/dl).
Clinical trials have demonstrated that Tocotrienols can effectively improve many of these markers, offering potential benefits for the one in three Americans affected by Metabolic Syndrome. Tocotrienols have been shown to enhance aminotransferase levels and reduce several inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). They inhibit adipogenesis, the formation of adipocytes (fat cells from stem cells), leading to reduced body weight and fat mass in animal studies by regulating lipid metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis pathways. Additionally, Tocotrienols decrease the expression of transcription factors, molecules that inhibit adipogenesis and promote apoptosis (cell death) of adipocytes (fat cells). In diabetic models, Tocotrienols enhance glucose homeostasis by suppressing cellular and tissue inflammation and oxidative stress.
References
Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2023) - Role of δ-tocotrienol and resveratrol supplementation in the regulation of micro RNAs in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial
Frontiers (2021) - Possible Hepatoprotective Effect of Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction Vitamin E in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children and Adolescents
Nutrition Research (2020) - Metabolic benefits of annatto-extracted tocotrienol on glucose homeostasis, inflammation, and gut microbiome
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2019) - The Effects of Tocotrienol on Bone Peptides in a Rat Model of Osteoporosis Induced by Metabolic Syndrome: The Possible Communication between Bone Cells
Integrative Medicine (2019) - Using Tocotrienols to Address Lifestyle and Metabolic Disease
Molecules (2019) - The Role of Tocotrienol in Protecting Against Metabolic Diseases
Bone (2018) - Exploring the potential of tocotrienol from Bixa orellana as a single agent targeting metabolic syndrome and bone loss