The Neuroprotective Potential Of Natural Vitamin E Tocotrienols
NOT ALL VITAMIN E IS CREATED EQUAL: THE AMAZING TOCOTRIENOLS
In nature, vitamin E exists in 8 different chemical forms. There are 4 tocopherol isomers (alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols) and 4 tocotrienol isomers (alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocotrienols). Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant that protects the cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Besides that, it is also involved in immune function, cell signalling, regulation of gene expression and other metabolic processes (Traber, 2006). Tocotrienols are one of the most fascinating members of the vitamin E family. Unlike tocopherols, tocotrienols have unsaturated side chain, which allows efficient penetration into tissues that have saturated fatty layers such as the brain and liver (Suzuki et al., 1993).