Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: What are tocotrienols?
A: Tocotrienols are the superior members of the vitamin E family. The vitamin E family is comprised of eight different compounds: alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocotrienols, as well as tocopherols.
Q2: Where do tocotrienols come from?
A: Tocotrienols are present naturally in most plants. They are found mostly in palm oil extracted from palm fruits. Other sources are rice bran, wheat germ, oat and barley.
Q3: What are the proven health benefits of tocotrienols?
A: The proven health benefits by research papers are:
– reverse blockage of the arteries, thus reduce the risk of stroke and arteriosclerosis
– reduce the production of total serum cholesterol
– more potent than tocopherols (40-60 times more potent than alpha-tocopherol in preventing lipid peroxidation)
– prevent increase in blood pressure and enhance total antioxidant status in plasma and blood vessels
– inhibit platelet aggregation
– pass through the membrane bi-layer more efficiently and rapidly, hence easy to be absorbed
– effective in preventing protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation after a strenuous bout of exercise/activities
Q4: What is the recommended daily dosage for people without any illnesses but would like to have the benefits and protection of this new super vitamin E, palm phyto-tocotrienols?
A: For people who wish to maintain a healthy level of cholesterol, a healthy heart and cardiovascular condition and breast health, the consensus among tocotrienol research scientists was a dosage of 30-50mg/day. However, commercial dietary supplements currently offer daily supplementation of tocotrienols from 20-60mg for healthy adults.
Q5: Why should anyone take tocotrienols? I’m already taking tocopherol Vitamin E.
A: Most vitamin E supplements contain only alpha-tocopherol whereas palm based tocotrienols contain tocotrienols, phytosterols (proven to prevent absorption of cholesterol), squalene (a powerful antioxidant) and carotenoids.
Recent researches have suggested that a combination of all phytonutrients may be highly effective in the overall maintenance of health.
Q6: What can I expect from taking tocotrienols regularly?
A: The effect of antioxidants, and likewise tocotrienols, only become apparent in the long term. Supplementing daily with tocotrienols will result in the reduction in cholesterol level and reduce the risk of free-radical degenerative diseases.
Q7: How are tocotrienols absorbed in the body?
A: Tocotrienols are fat soluble vitamins. They are absorbed in the same manner as fat, just like other fat-soluble vitamins (A, D and K) and phytonutrients. Only when sufficient pancreatic juice and bile are secreted to emulsify the fat and fat soluble vitamins do we get satisfactory absorption. However, with Hovid’s patented self-emulsifying delivery system (Bio-Optima system), absorption is maximised even by taking it in empty stomach.
Tocotrienols
Q8: As vitamin E is extensively used in cosmetics and personal care products, what proven benefits do tocotrienols have on prevention of skin aging and skin damage by ultra-violet rays?
A: Being a more potent vitamin E, research scientists have started to investigate the additional benefits of tocotrienols over the alpha tocopherol vitamin E in the prevention of skin aging and skin damage. A study conducted at the University of California, Berkeley showed that tocotrienols preferentially accumulate at the strata corneum of defence against free radicals generated by exposure to environment agents such as sun ray (UV), ozone, chemicals, etc.
Q9: Are Tocotrienols safe?
A: Toxicological and pharmacological studies showed that supplementation with palm based tocotrienols up to 2500mg per day per kilogram of body did not produce any significant side effects. Tocotrienols are natural compound found in various food and oils such as palm olein, rice bran oil, wheat germ, barley, etc. They are vitamin E and one may be taking tocotrienols through these normal foods without even realizing it.
Q10: Can I get enough of tocotrienols from my normal diet / food?
A: Most of the oils and food contain tocopherols but virtually no tocotrienols. Tocotrienols only occur at very low level in nature with the highest concentration found in palm oil. Other sources are rice bran, barley, wheat germ, saw palmetto and certain types of nuts and grains. Due to their low level, it is practically impossible to attain the amount of tocotrienols studies suggest may have a beneficial effect, from diet alone. For example, one has to take a cup of palm oil per day to attain this level.
Q11: Can I get tocotrienols simply from using palm oil in cooking?
A: Refined palm olein (palm cooking oil) have some tocotrienols as well as tocopherols but the levels found are verylow, approximately 0.08%. In order to get the amount of tocotrienols (50 mg – 100 mg per day) that medical studies suggest may have a beneficial effect, one would have to consume about 80g – 160g (about one to two tea cup) of palm olein a day. Other cooking oils from corn, soy-bean and sunflower contain virtually no tocotrienols.
Q12: Who should take tocotrienols?
A: Everyone. Research has shown tocotrienols to actively lower cholesterol levels, prevent blood from clotting, having anti-cancer activity and anti-tumour qualities. People looking for an effective antioxidant should take tocotrienols. It is wise to begin tocotrienols supplementation in young adulthood and continue throughout one’s life.
Q13: What should I look for when purchasing tocotrienols?
A: Look for a natural, palm-oil derived tocotrienol product. If minimally processed, it should also contain the other phyto-nutrients found naturally in palm oil, including phytosterols, squalene and mixed carotenoids.
Q14: Why are tocotrienols much more expensive than tocopherols?
A: In nature, the amount of tocotrienols is at such a low level (part per million level) that it takes a huge amount of the raw material to extract out 1kg of tocotrienols. In addition, the process to extract tocotrienols by molecular distillation is an expensive process compared to the convention distillation processes.
For more information, please contact us at 05-2412028/ 2413028 or visit website at
www.hovidpure.com
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64 & 64B, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel: 605-2412028/ 2413028 Facsimile: 605-2419028
Website: http://www.hovidpure.com Email: info@hovidpure.com
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