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/