Bioactive Alpha-Tocopherol
Vitamin E is a group of eight different compounds: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols, each distinguished by the prefix alpha, beta, gamma or delta. Of all forms of vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol has the highest bioactivity. It is also the only form recognised as fulfilling vitamin E requirements in humans; all other forms of vitamin E are measured against alpha-tocopherol.
The molecule alpha-tocopherol occurs in several geometric variants. Natural alpha-tocopherol always takes the form of RRR-alpha-tocopherol (formerly referred to as D-alpha-tocopherol); only this form exhibits the desired biological effects on the body. Synthetic vitamin E, typically a combination of various isomers, is less bioavailable and bioactive. Our capsules contain only natural, bioactive RRR-alpha-tocopherol.
Just like natural foods, which contain a mixture of different tocopherols and tocotrienols, this natural vitamin E complex contains all seven other forms of vitamin E in addition to alpha-tocopherol. This is important because all forms of vitamin E have independent properties and are not interchangeable; even though alpha-tocopherol is the most important dietary form of vitamin E, recent developments in vitamin E research show that the other tocopherols and tocotrienols have many completely independent properties – each vitamin E compound fulfils its own special tasks. A supplement which supplies all forms of vitamin E thus best corresponds to the natural vitamin E intake of humans.
Health Benefits of Vitamin E
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), vitamin E contributes to:
- The protection of cells against oxidative stress
