Metabolic Syndrome


Tocotrienols can improve several core components of Metabolic Syndrome—Lipids, Glucose Control, inflammation, and Liver health—making them a promising adjunctive therapy.

  •  Tocotrienols reduce LDL (bad) Cholesterol and Triglycerides while sometimes increasing HDL (good) Cholesterol. 

  • Delta- and Gamma- Tocotrienols inhibit HMG-CoA reductase (the same enzyme targeted by Statins), helping regulate Cholesterol Synthesis. 

  • Animal and some human studies show reduced Fat and Lipid Accumulation in the Liver (helps against Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease), by Delta- and Gamma- Tocotrienols.

  • Tocotrienols improve Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Sensitivity in preclinical and small human trials. 

  • Tocotrienols  decrease Oxidative Stress in pancreatic β-cells and improve Insulin Signaling Pathways (e.g., AKT pathway).

  • Tocotrienols reduce fasting Blood Glucose and HbA1c in some studies.

  • Tocotrienols downregulates NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, and other Pro-inflammatory Cytokines that drive Metabolic Syndrome.

  • Tocotrienols reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) and other Systemic Inflammatory markers.

  • Tocotrienols support healthier Adipose tissue signaling (reduces harmful Adipokines, improves Adiponectin levels).

  • Tocotrienols penetrate cell membranes more efficiently due to their unsaturated (three double bonds) side chains.

  • Tocotrienols reduce Oxidative Stress, which contributes to Insulin Resistance, Endothelial Dysfunction, and Vascular complications in Metabolic Syndrome. 

  • Tocotrienols improve Arterial Compliance and Endothelial Function, lowering the risk of Hypertension and Atherosclerosis.

  • Tocotrienols reduce Plaque formation and Vascular (blood vessel) inflammation.

  • Tocotrienols reduces blood pressure in some clinical studies. 

  • Tocotrienols have shown Hepatoprotective effects: reducing Fat Accumulation, Fibrosis, and iInflammatory damage. 

  • Clinical trials with Delta- and Gamma- Tocotrienols reported improvements in Liver enzymes (ALT, AST) & Liver ultrasound findings. 

  • Preclinical studies suggest Tocotrienols can decrease Visceral Fat accumulation and regulate genes related to Adipogenesis and Lipid Metabolism.

References

Delta-Tocotrienol in Combination with Resveratrol Improves the Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Biomarkers in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial (2022)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36125447/

Effects of Delta- Tocotrienol supplementation on Glycemic Control, oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers and miRNA expression in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized control trial (2021) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33899292/ 

Delta-tocotrienol supplementation improves biochemical markers of hepatocellular injury and steatosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial (2020) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229920300777?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Pilot study finds evidence that annatto-based tocotrienols support liver-related biomarkers (2020) https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/pilot-study-finds-evidence-that-annatto-based-tocotrienols-support-liver-related-biomarkers?utm_source=chatgpt.com

A 12-week evaluation of aAnnatto Tocotrienol supplementation for postmenopausal women: safety, quality of life, body composition, physical activity, and nutrient intake (2018)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6022510/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Acute Effects of Tocotrienols on Insulin Sensitivity and Metabolic Risk Markers in Individuals at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome (2015)

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01626430?utm_source=chatgpt.com&tab=history

Lowering of serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic humans by tocotrienols (1991) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2012010/