Vitamin E: Tocotrienols
As part of the vitamin E family, tocotrienols consists of 4 isomers, alpha, beta, gamma, delta. These are found in high concentrations the seeds of rice, palm and annatto. With the highest quantities occurring in the annatto seed native to tropical America. Annatto seeds are unique as they don’t contain any tocopherol.
Tocotrienols differ to tocopherols in its structure, bioavailability and function in the human body. Compared to tocopherols, tocotrienols have a lower molecular weight, a smaller polar head, and shorter tail, making it easier to move with the cell and be incorporate into cells. This unique advantage may provide tocotrienols greater benefits in regards to cholesterol support, cellular inflammation and antioxidant protection than do tocopherols.

Cardiovascular
Tocotrienols have been shown to help decrease inflammation in the cardiovascular system by helping to improve parameters of oxidative stress, such as nitric oxide, MDA and CRP. The small molecular structure and lack of saturated side bonds means that tocotrienols are able to down regulate HMG-CoA reductase activity in the mevalonate pathway that contributes to cholesterol synthesis.

Antioxidant
The antioxidant activity of tocotrienols is believed to be attributed to the phenolic group in the chromanol ring (head) which contributes to an even distribution of tocotrienols in the lipid bilayer. In addition, the tocotrienols have improved surface location at the top of the lipid membrane which leads to better free radical quenching and protection for cells. Tocopherols have been shown to block absorption, increase the degradation and dilute the effects of tocotrienols.