Mixed tocotrienols support optimal cholesterol metabolism, study shows

Summary

This randomized, placebo-controlled study was designed to investigate the cholesterol-lowering activity of mixed tocotrienols in adults with high blood cholesterol.

For this study, researchers recruited 32 hypercholesterolemic, but otherwise healthy, participants (20 men and 12 women), aged between 31 and 53 years, who were not taking any drugs that affect blood lipid profiles. All participants had initial baseline serum total cholesterol levels of >6.2 mmol/L, LDL-cholesterol >4.0 mmol/L and triglycerides >3.8 mmol/L.

The participants were randomly assigned to take either mixed tocotrienols* (300 mg/day) or a placebo for 6 months. The participants were monitored before supplementation and monthly thereafter for their serum cholesterol, tocotrienol and tocopherol levels. All participants complete the study and no adverse events were reported

Supplementation resulted in a 22-fold increase in total tocotrienol levels from baseline, compared to placebo, but only a modest increase in alpha-tocopherol was reported.

Supplementation also significantly (P<.05) reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol after 4 months (-8.9±0.9% and -12.8±2.6%, respectively) and after 6 months (-10.8±1.0% and -17.3±1.8%, respectively). Conversely, placebo had no effect on the serum cholesterol, total tocotrienol and alpha-tocopherol levels.

No adverse events were reported, indicating supplementation was well tolerated.

These findings indicate that supplementation with mixed tocotrienols (300 mg/day) for at least 4 months significantly lowers elevated serum total and LDL cholesterol levels and is well tolerated.