Why is alpha-tocopherol different from other forms of Vitamin E?

Answer 1

Vitamin E is not one single molecule but a family of related molecules called tocopherols and tocotrienols.

There are several types of tocopherols and tocotrienols of which alpha-tocopherol is known to be the most biologically active.

Consequently, vitamin E in supplements generally refers to alpha-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol itself can exist in eight different forms, but only half of these forms are known to be useful in the body.

Natural vitamin E contains alpha-tocopherol exclusively in an active form, either as d-alpha tocopherol ( or, more correctly, RRR-alpha-tocopherol) or stabilized as d-alpha tocopheryl acid succinate or d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate).

Synthetic vitamin E (sometimes referred to as dl-alpha-tocopherol or, more correctly, all-rac-alpha tocopherol) contains both active and inactive forms of alpha-tocopherol.

Natural vitamin E may also contain other types of tocopherols, such as beta-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol.

Some manufacturers use the term "mixed" tocopherols when referring to these different types.

There are studies underway to determine whether gamma-tocopherol (which is more abundant in the diet than alpha-tocopherol) may be important for some of the beneficial effects associated with dietary vitamin E.

At present, though, there is no hard evidence for this hypothesis.

Note: Some evidence suggests that use of supplements containing high-dose alpha tocopherol alone may decrease body levels of gamma and delta tocopherol. The implications of this are unclear, but there are concerns that reduced levels of these natural tocopherols could be unhealthy.

There may also be a role to be played by the tocotrienol compounds in lowering cholesterol and decreasing arterial plaque.

P.S. well, Doctor J, is correct.

Answer 2

Naturally occurring vitamin E consists of 8 different vitamers - four forms of tocopherol and four forms of tocotrienol.
Each of the four forms are designated alpha, beta, gamma, and delta.

While most supplements contain only alpha-tocopherol, the other 7 vitamers are also needed for optimum health. For example, gamma-tocopherol is a much more powerful anti-inflammatory molecule than alpha-tocopherol. Additionally, high doses of the alpha form in supplements have been shown to actually reduce levels of the gamma form in the body - not a good thing.

So, when you take a vitamin E supplement, take a complete supplement. Look for a supplement with all 8 vitamers.

Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 3

The most common and cheapest form of vitamin E is dl alpha tocopherol which contains roughly 90% of l alpha tocopherol and 10% of d alpha tocopherol. The d isomer is known as natural vitamin E and has much greater health benefits than the l isomer. If you get natural vitamin E then it is 100% d alpha tocopherol.

Answer 4

Doctor J is incorrect. The difference is that naturally occuring vit. E. is the alpha-tocopherol. If it is made by organic chemists then the form is dl-alpha-tocopherol. This is because organic chemists are not as good as nature. It turns out that the natural form is far better absorbed then the stuff made in the lab and that is why the lab stuff is sooo much cheaper.