Tocopherol – what it is, benefits and side effects!

The benefits of tocopherol are many, and it is a fat –  dissolving vitamin found in many foods, including vegetable oils. Cereals, meats, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables and wheat germ oil . It is also available as a supplement.

It is used to treat deficiency of this vitamin, which is rare but can occur in people with certain genetic disorders and in low birth weight preterm infants. Some people use tocopherol to treat and prevent diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including hardening of the arteries, heart attack, chest pain, leg pain due to blocked arteries, and high blood pressure .

What is tocopherol?

It is a specific form of vitamin E that is often found in skin care products and dietary supplements. It is also known as tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryl acetate or vitamin E acetate .

Tocopherol  is well known for its antioxidant properties . Antioxidants help protect your body from harmful compounds called free radicals. Normally, free radicals form when your body converts food into energy . However, free radicals can also come from UV light, cigarette smoke and air pollution.

In nature, vitamin E comes in the form of tocopheryl or tocotrienol. Both tocopheryl and tocotrienol have four forms, known as alpha, beta, gamma and delta. Alpha-tocopheryl (AT) is the most active form of vitamin E in humans.

Where is tocopherol found?

Cosmetics and Supplements:  You’ll find tocopherol in a variety of skin care products. The antioxidant properties  of vitamin E can help prevent skin damage caused by free radicals from UV exposure. Vitamin E may also have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin .

Due to its greater stability, it is also used in vitamin E dietary supplements . When taken orally, it is converted within the intestine. Vitamin E is found in most vitamins, so be sure to check how much is in your multivitamin if you take one, before adding a supplement.

Uses of Tocopherol?

Tocopherol works best when left on the skin, so look for day and night moisturizers. It also works well when combined with other antioxidants , such as vitamin C , for an increase in the fight against free radicals.

Vitamin E , however, is not for everyone. Tocopherol can be irritating and some people are allergic to it (although a 20-year study found it extremely rare). If you have sensitive skin or a skin condition like rosacea, it’s probably best to stop tocopherol as well . People with acne should skip vitamin E as it is known to cause acne to flare up.

However, a small 2016 study found that adding tocopherol to an acne -fighting skin care routine actually helped reduce flare-ups, so there’s a lot of room for debate here. But if you’re worried about making your skin react, try using a different antioxidant  (like a vitamin C serum ) instead of the same skin-protecting benefits.

Tocopherol sources:

In addition to dietary supplements and cosmetic products, you can find vitamin E in the following foods:

Tocopherol is also added to fortified foods such as cereal, fruit juices, and many other foods. You can check food labels to see if vitamin E has been added. If you want to increase your vitamin E intake , you should start by increasing your intake of these foods.

How tocopherol is produced:

Tocopherol production usually starts by drying the oilseeds to remove some of the water content. After removing the husks or shells, the seeds are usually ground, mixed with hot water and boiled to allow some of the oil to float.

The ground seed is then made into a paste and crushed or pressed to separate the oil. At this point, the oil can be refined to remove the taste or odor. Vitamin E activity is derived from at least eight naturally occurring tocopherols, making it the most potent supplement.

This is a form of vitamin E , although it is predominantly in food. This is the most common form of the vitamin used in sun protection and skin care products. It’s a synthetic form, but it’s just as potent as the natural version.

Potential risks of tocopherol:

Most people do not experience side effects when taking the recommended daily dose of tocopherol , which is 15 milligrams (mg). Too much of this vitamin can cause problems. The maximum tolerable dose for adults is 1000 mg. High doses above 1000 mg of tocopherol have been associated with the following side effects:

• dizziness;
• fatigue ;
• headaches;
• weakness ;
• blurry vision;
• abdominal pain;
• diarrhea ;
• nausea.

If you take high doses of this supplement for more than a year, your risk of bleeding may increase. Talk to your doctor before taking these compounds if you take anticoagulant medication.

You’re unlikely to get a lot of  tocopherol from food, but it can happen if you’re also taking supplements. One study also showed that men who took high doses of this supplement had a higher risk of developing prostate cancer .

It is important to remember that the FDA does not monitor supplements for purity or quality, so choosing a reputable brand is essential. Using skin care products containing tocopherol can also lead to an allergic reaction, skin redness, or a rash.

Health benefits of tocopherol:

Helps reduce or reverse inflammation and free radical damage that damage heart health . This compound may also reduce the power of other cardiovascular health risk factors, including the impact of high cholesterol on heart health .

Tocopherol may reduce the risk of cancer by fighting free radical damage. Some studies also suggest that this form of vitamin E may slow the growth of cancer cells.

Tocopherol can help prevent and reduce osteoporosis – related bone loss  in a number of ways. Nicotine use can cause osteoporosis , but research has found that tocopherol reduces the risk. Studies in rats have found that the compound can slow the course of free radical-related bone loss.

This can reduce acidity and prevent painful lesions from developing. It was especially effective in fighting the effects of stress on the gastrointestinal system.

Some cosmetics and skin care product manufacturers include tocopherol in their vitamin E products . As it is an antioxidant , it can help reverse or delay skin damage caused by free radicals.

Tocopherol side effects:

It is recommended to speak with a healthcare professional before using tocopheryl supplements . Furthermore, studies have not revealed any serious and consistent side effects associated with the use of this compound.

As with many other supplements, the main risk is getting too much. Also, people should talk to a doctor about the correct dose and not exceed the recommended daily allowance listed on the tocopherol supplement package .

People with a history of allergies , especially food allergies  . Also, they may want to start with a low-dose supplement and increase the dose slowly if they don’t experience any side effects.

However, it is worth noting that these supplements are not monitored. Also, that’s why it’s important to choose brands that are reliable in terms of purity and quality. You should speak with a doctor before using any tocopherol supplements , to ensure they are safe for you to use.