Life Extension Gamma E Mixed Tocopherols & Tocotrienols

Vitamin E· evidence: Limited

Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble compounds (tocopherols and tocotrienols); alpha-tocopherol is the form the body keeps and the one labels count. It is found in plant oils, nuts and seeds, and the NHS says you should be able to get all you need from your diet. Deficiency is very rare and usually linked to conditions that stop fat being absorbed.

Large, long trials of high-dose vitamin E have not shown benefits for heart disease, cancer or general health in well-nourished people. Some found possible harm: the SELECT trial found more prostate cancer in men taking 400 IU a day, and a meta-analysis linked very high doses to slightly higher overall mortality.

Natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol) is more potent per IU-labelled milligram than synthetic (dl-alpha). Mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols are marketed as closer to food, but there is little good human evidence that they make a difference.

Typical dose: UK guidance: about 4 mg a day for men and 3 mg for women (NRV on labels: 12 mg). Supplements often give 100 to 400 IU (roughly 67 to 268 mg natural vitamin E).

Safety: The FSA advises that 540 mg (800 IU) a day or less from supplements is unlikely to cause harm; EFSA's upper level for adults is 300 mg a day. High doses can increase bleeding risk, so speak to your GP if you take warfarin, other anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs, or before surgery. Long-term high-dose use is not advised for smokers or men concerned about prostate health.

Research we looked at:
NHS. Vitamin E. nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-e
EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for vitamin E as alpha-tocopherol. EFSA Journal 2015;13(7):4149.
Klein EA, Thompson IM, Tangen CM, et al. Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). JAMA 2011;306(14):1549-1556.
Miller ER, Pastor-Barriuso R, Dalal D, et al. Meta-analysis: high-dosage vitamin E supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Ann Intern Med 2005;142(1):37-46.

Tocotrienols· evidence: Insufficient

Tocotrienols are members of the vitamin E family, found in palm oil, rice bran and annatto. They differ slightly in structure from tocopherols, the more common forms. Only alpha-tocopherol counts towards the vitamin E requirement and the NRV.

Laboratory and animal studies on tocotrienols are plentiful, but human trials are few, small and inconsistent. There is no good evidence that tocotrienol supplements improve health in people who eat a normal diet.

Authorised vitamin E claims apply only where a product gives at least 15% of the NRV as vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol equivalents); tocotrienols themselves have no authorised claims.

Typical dose: Products usually give 50 to 200 mg of mixed tocotrienols a day.

Safety: Usually well tolerated. Vitamin E compounds may add to the effect of anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines, so speak to your GP or pharmacist if you take them or before surgery.

Research we looked at:
Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University. Micronutrient Information Center: Vitamin E. lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-E
EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for vitamin E as alpha-tocopherol. EFSA Journal 2015;13(7):4149.

Cost per daily dose lets you compare packs of different sizes fairly.Worked out from our current prices.