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The term “vitamin E” refers to a family of eight related, lipid-soluble, antioxidant compounds widely distributed in plants. The tocopherol and tocotrienol subfamilies are each composed of alpha, beta, gamma, and delta fractions having unique biological effects. Different ratios of these compounds are found in anatomically different parts of a plant. For example, the green parts of a plant contain mostly alpha-tocopherol and the seed germ and bran contain mostly tocotrienols. Along with other nutrients tocopherols and tocotrienols are concentrated in the bran layers of the rye grain, and are only present at low levels in the flour endosperm. Tocopherols are also present in algae, mint teas, and other food stuff.83-90
When this family of compounds was first discovered and determined to be essential for health, a standardized test for its activity was devised for which the members of the family were rated for their biological activity. In one test, alpha tocopherol scored highest and was rated 100% with all others having lower ratings. In accordance with this rating, alpha-tocopherol was deemed to be the essential compound and was called vitamin E. One International Unit (IU) of vitamin E activity is the activity under this rating of one mg of the plant-derived form of alpha-tocopherol.91
Since the original rating method was established, many additional important biological effects of these compounds have been discovered and many nutritional scientists now consider that rating method to be incomplete. For example, by the original rating, gamma-tocopherol was only 10% to 30% as strong as alpha-tocopherol, yet more recent studies have shown it to be essential for maintaining the health of cell membranes, especially if alpha-tocopherol is being supplemented. New studies continue to elucidate the unique benefits of individual members of the vitamin E family. For these and other reasons, the original definition of vitamin E has been enhanced to include all eight family members and the related compounds that convert to them in the body.91
One or more members of the vitamin E family may:
- Maintain cell membrane integrity and reduce cellular aging96-99*
- Act as a free radical scavenger of lipid100,103*
- Maintain healthy platelet aggregation104-109*
- Protect nervous system and retina110-114*
- Maintain healthy cognitive function115-119*
- Enhance immune function120-126*
Scientific studies have identified the gamma-tocopherol form of vitamin E as being critical to human health.
Research shows that sesame lignans increase gamma-tocopherol levels in the body while reducing free radical damage.127 For example, a Swedish study showed participants who supplemented with sesame oil increased gamma-tocopherol levels 41.7% without any other sources of tocopherols.128
Sesame lignans have been shown to have the ability to lower a measure of oxidative cell membrane/DNA damage by 82%.129 The isoprostane marker measures the amount of cell membrane (also called lipid peroxidation) damage caused by free radicals.130,131 Life Extension conducted a study that showed a reduction in serum isoprostane levels after two weeks of supplementation of tocopherols with sesame. This same study also showed a 22% decrease of a marker (dityrosine) that measures deep tissue protein oxi-dation caused by the dangerous peroxynitrite radical.
In response to these findings, Life Extension formulated the popular Gamma E Tocopherol supplement with sesame lignans. This formula provides the potent free radical suppressing gamma-tocopherol fraction of vitamin E plus standardized sesame lignans to augment the antioxidant effects of gamma-tocopherol.* Life Extension’s research found that the addition of sesame to gamma tocopherol reduced blood indicators of free radical and inflammatory damage more effectively than the more expensive gamma tocopherol/tocotrienol formula.
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