Tocotrienols Help to Boost Immune System

Posted on Nov. 8, 2010, 6 a.m. in Dietary Supplementation | Immune System | Vitamins |
Tocotrienols Help to Boost Immune System

Tocotrienols, a form of Vitamin E, an essential fat-soluble vitamin that has been shown to induce favorable effects on the human immune system, are found in rich amounts in cereal grains and rice bran.  A team of Malaysian scientists evaluated the effects of a tocotrienol compound on immune function, recruiting 108 healthy non-smoking women, ages 18 and 25 years, for a two-month long study. One group received 400 milligrams of tocotrienol compound per day, while the other group received placebo (400 mg per day of soy oil) for the study period.  Blood samples were analyzed at the start of the study, and again after 28 and 56 days. After 28 days of supplementation, all subjects received a single shot of tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine.   The team observed significant increases in levels of the anti-TT antibody, interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4 in the tocotrienol group, as compared with the placebo group.   The researchers write that:  “We conclude that [tocotrienols have] immunostimulatory effects and potential clinical benefits to enhance immune response.”

Continue reading…

D Mahalingam, A K Radhakrishnan, Z Amom, N Ibrahim, K Nesaretnam.  “Effects of supplementation with tocotrienol-rich fraction on immune response to tetanus toxoid immunization in normal healthy volunteers.”  European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 22 September 2010; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2010.184.

  

Health Headlines MORE »

Lifting less weight more times is just as effective at building muscle as training with heavy weights.
People with age-related macular degeneration may be at up to 50% increased risk for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
Carvacrol, a compound found in oregano, is shown to induce prostate cancer cell death.
People who live in city centers are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery calcification, a common precursor to heart disease.
The high acidity levels in sports and energy drinks erode tooth enamel.
Levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) fell by 26% among subjects who received supplementation with resveratrol-rich grape extract for one year.
Rich in antioxidants, blueberries and strawberries may delay memory decline in older women by 2.5 years.
Teens who consumed 35 grams of protein at breakfast reported greater feelings of fullness and showed improved hormone responses.
Eating pistachios may positively impact bacterial profile of the digestive tract.

ANTI-AGING TIP OF THE DAY

275. Sustainable Environment Supports Human Health
What’s good for the planet is good for people. Researchers from Arizona State University (Arizona, USA) completed a meta-analysis of 120 peer-reviewed publications on the health effects of plastics and plasticizers in lab animals and humans. This study reiterates the fact that the effects to the environment from plastic waste are acute. In the U.S., the average person produces a half-pound of plastic waste every day, and as such, adverse effects to human health are a potential area for grave concern...