Focus on Gamma-Tocopherol
What's all the fuss about? The October 16 edition of the Wall Street Journal focused on the vitamin E family and the role of gamma-tocopherol. It stated that: Most people purchase alpha-tocopherol as their vitamin E and do not purchase products that contain the whole family of vitamin E (eight different compounds- four tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols). Many scientists now believe that a less commonly available type -- one called gamma-tocopherol -- is far more beneficial. The focus on gamma-tocopherol is very welcome because of its potential role in reducing the risk of prostate cancer. In addition gamma-tocopherol fights the nitrogen free radicals which are culprits in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. It is important to keep in mind, however, that the other tocopherols and the tocotrienols may have important roles.
Here at YASOO, we have been promoting the whole family of vitamin E for years. We even developed a product called Maxi-Gamma with high levels of gamma-tocopherol over two years ago. Remember, it is important to read the label to see how many milligrams of the other tocopherols and tocotrienols are present in the product.
What does gamma-tocopherol do?
- Gamma-tocopherol, not alpha-tocopherol, is the effective form that fights nitrogen free radicals. These radicals are major culprits in arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS) and diseases of the brain (such as Alzheimer's).
- A metabolic product of gamma-tocopherol appears to help regulate the amount of fluid and electrolytes that pass through the kidney and end up in urine. Thus, it could play a major role in blood pressure control, congestive heart failure and cirrhosis of the liver. The corresponding metabolite of alpha-tocopherol is not active in this regard.
- US and Swedish researchers reported that gamma-tocopherol was more potent than alpha-tocopherol in several major effects:
1. Increasing the activity of the important antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the blood and the arteries.
2. Increasing the production of nitric oxide (NO) which plays a critical role in the normal function of our arteries (their elasticity and dilation) and has many other important functions; and increasing the activity of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, which produces NO. Only gamma-tocopherol increased the activity and the production of the enzyme.