Understanding Vitamin E Chemistry & Physiology
Science Updates
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Benefits of Sunlight
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Functions of Vitamin E
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Tocotrienols with Vitamin E

Understanding Vitamin E Chemistry & Physiology

Types of Natural Vitamin E  Scientists define vitamin E as any tocol with vitamin E activity. For supplement labeling, however, only alpha tocopherol (or tocopheryl) can be labeled vitamin E. Therefore, only one of the 8 naturally occurring vitamin E’s (4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols as shown on the right) may be labeled as vitamin E. There are many more forms of synthetic vitamin E, commonly referred to as dl-alpha, which is a non-scientific terminology used to identify synthetic vitamin E. Natural alpha tocopherol is identified as d-alpha. The most natural form of commercially available vitamin E is the mixed tocopherols. However, all of the vitamin E content listed on the label of a mixed tocopherol product is from d-alpha tocopherol, with an additional amount of beta, delta, and gamma tocopherols. The additional tocopherols do have some vitamin E activity, though less than alpha tocopherol. However, the vitamin E activity from those tocopherols are in addition to the vitamin E activity listed on the label. This is confusing, because the label does not really reflect the total vitamin E activity, but, by law, only the alpha tocopherol may be considered vitamin E for labeling purposes. In products containing tocotrienols, none of the tocotrienol content can contribute to the vitamin E listed on the label. The figure below shows the amount of biological vitamin E activity for various forms of vitamin E per mg.

Natural Vitamin E: The above structural representations show the 8 forms of natural vitamin E. The circled region represents the difference between tocopherols and tocotrienols. “R” represents the common variable region on tocopherols and tocotrienols. For instance when both R groups are CH3, the top molecule is alpha-tocopherol and the bottom molecule is alpha-tocotrienol.

Tocopherols in Vitamin E Supplements
Using the chart to the left, it can be calculated that a 1000 IU capsule of either d-alpha tocopherol or mixed tocopherol contains 671.14 mg of d-alpha tocopherol. However, mixed tocopherols, contain additional d-beta, d-gamma, and d-delta tocopherols. The additional mixed tocopherols, above the d-alpha tocopherol, typically amount to about 5 mg in a 1000 mg capsule. Therefore the mixed tocopherol capsules and d-alpha tocopherol capsules have exactly the same d-alpha tocopherol content, but the mixed tocopherol products have a small amount of additional tocopherols.

As can be seen in the chart below, the tocopherols are the most common forms of vitamin E in the diet and gamma tocopherol is the most prevalent of the four tocopherols in most diets. Despite the fact that most diets contain twice the amount of gamma as alpha tocopherol, there is a many times greater concentration of alpha tocopherol in most tissues. The higher alpha concentration is the result of alpha tocopherol binding proteins that help conserve it, while the gamma tocopherol is excreted. Nevertheless, there are important functions for gamma tocopherol and it has been reported to be important for reducing the risk of several cancers as well as working as a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, an important anti-inflammatory property. Despite the presence of some beneficial effects of gamma tocopherol, a high ratio of gamma to alpha tocopherol is associated with an increased risk of arthritis, according to some prelimary research from the University of North Carolina. Fortunately, even mixed tocopherol supplements have about a hundred fold higher concentration of alpha to gamma tocopherol. Therefore, obtaining most of the dietary vitamin E from supplements greatly favors a high alpha to gamma tocopherol intake whereas obtaining vitamin E from a typical Western diet favors a high gamma tocopherol intake. Based on current knowledge, the high percentage of alpha tocopherol as found in supplements is ideal. The tocopheryl form of vitamin E is encountered in dry as opposed to oil based supplements. If you look at the pictures of vitamin E you will notice the OH— on the left side that is identified as the active region. In order to make a dry form of E, it is often esterified with a natural substance such as succinic acid. The OH group that was an alcohol (thus the ol on the end of tocopherol) becomes an ester and is designated as yl in the chemical nomenclature. The correct name after this has been done is d-alpha tocopheryl acid succinate. In the digestive tract the ester is hydrolyzed back to tocopherol and succinic acid, so that it is absorbed as a tocopherol. The esterification process has the advantage of making a vitamin E that does not need to be in a oil base, can be in a vegetarian two piece capsule, and does not oxidize as rapidly. On the other hand, it does require extra processing and is not quite as natural, although it is obtained from natural sources.

All of the forms of vitamin E mentioned above are natural vitamin E, as opposed to the dl-alpha form which is chemically synthesized vitamin E. Vitamin E is one of a few fat soluble anti-oxidants and is very important for that reason. Vitamin C is water soluble and may be found freely circulating in the blood. Vitamin E, on the other hand, is found circulating only as part of the lipoprotein molecules (LDL, HDL etc.). It is also incorporated into the lipid membranes of cells where it protects them from oxidative damage. Vitamin E is believed to be very important for protecting the heart and arteries from oxidation that can lead to coronary artery disease. It is also an important part of the cellular defense to protect against chemical and radiation induced mutations that lead to cancer. High quality natural vitamin E, as offered by Daily Manufacturing, is a vital part of any health program and is safe and effective for everyone.

VITAMIN E CONTENT OF COMMON FOOD OILS
(MG OF VITAMIN E PER KG OF OIL)

Science Updates

Vegetarians, B12, and Homocysteine: Vegetarians may not get enough vitamin B12 to keep homocysteine under control according to scientists at Tzu-Chi University in Taiwan. The study, reported in the February issue of the Journal of Nutrition, found that vegetarians had an average plasma homocysteine level of 11.2 umol/L as compared to 8.6 umol/L in non-vegetarians, and that homocysteine levels were highly predicted by vitamin B12 levels in the blood. We know that vitamin B12 is difficult to obtain in a vegetarian diet. However in many other respects a vegetarian diet is very healthful, and vegetarians have been repeatedly shown to have less heart disease, cancer, and a longer life-span than people who eat meat. However, high homocysteine is a very serious risk factor for heart disease and probably Alzheimer’s disease. To get the full benefit of their diet and lifestyle it is essential that vegetarians get adequate B12 in their diets or from supplements!

Processed Meat and Diabetes:A group from Harvard University reported in the journal, Diabetes Care that eating processed meats (hot dogs, bologna, bacon, etc.) 5 or more times per week increases the risk of diabetes by 46% in men. It is difficult to say whether the real risk is from processed meat or if that in an indicator of a poor quality diet. However, it clearly demonstrates that diet has a profound effect on the development of diabetes.

Calcium and Kidney Stones: Low calcium diets have frequently been recommended for patients with recurring kidney stones - we always knew this was wrong and now everyone else does too! The January 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine reported a study in which patients at risk for kidney stones were given diets low in calcium or with normal calcium levels. Subjects given the higher calcium diets had fewer kidney stones— not more! Incidence of stones was also lowered by low salt intake and reduced dietary protein. This study should finally lay-to-rest the issue of calcium restriction for stone prevention and the negative health effects that are the inevitable result.

New Product   *NatureLean*

We have recently re-formulated NatureLean to make an effective weight-loss product that is not a powerful stimulant, but a blend of healthful herbs with impressive research backing them up. Actually, we looked for the best researched herbs for weight-loss and combined them in one product with optimal dosages of each. Three capsules contain: garcinia cambogia (1,666.5mg), green tea extract (400 mg), and 111 mg of a blend of coleus forskoli, black pepper extract (Bioperine™), gotu kola, and ginger root. The ingredients in NatureLean are useful for both weight loss and optimal health!

At the recent meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Michael Holick of Boston University School of Medicine emphasized that sunlight is really not all bad. Much has been made of the harmful effects of sunlight, so it was refreshing to hear the beneficial effects mentioned.

As we all know, sunlight is very important for the synthesis of Vitamin D in the skin from cholesterol. However, Dr. Holick pointed out that the benefits of sunlight and vitamin D go well beyond just making bones. Vitamin D, he reported, activates genes that are important for the regulation of cell growth and help prevent out-of-control cellular proliferation as occurs in cancer. In other words, sunlight helps prevent cancer, not just cause it. It does not take a lot of sunlight to reap the benefits; 15 minutes of outdoor activity 3 times a week is probably enough for fair-skinned people. For people with very dark skin 10-20 times as much exposure is required. African-Americans, according to Dr, Holick, may be chronically deficient in Vitamin D and should especially be aware of the importance of sunlight.

To understand the importance of Min-Col, we first need to look at the role of phosphates in agriculture. A plant takes up minerals in the phosphate form, the mineral is then used in various ways and the phosphate helps to make sugars. This is why the more minerals a given plant has, the sweeter it will be. Sugars, phosphates, and minerals rise or fall together in the plant kingdom. We naturally prefer to eat the fruit that is sweetest. If we have two apples of the same variety, and one is sweeter than the other, our natural inclination is to eat the sweeter one. This is our body’s way of telling us to eat the one with the most minerals. A craving for sugars will usually be our body telling us it needs minerals. The human body also uses minerals in the phosphate form. We can take a lot of minerals and still be mineral deficient if we do not have the phosphates to utilize them. It’s not only the minerals we ingest, but the minerals we can utilize which is important. The most important reason to use Min-Col, is that it is a very rich source of the phosphate ion. Min-Col comes from soft rock phosphate, which comes from ancient fossil deposits. Chinese oriental medicine doctors call it dragon bones. Min-Col also contains a wide assortment of minerals. The fact that it provides many trace minerals is another reason to use it. However, the most important reason to use Min-Col, in my opinion, is the phosphate ion. The phosphate ion in Min-Col helps to make the minerals we obtain from food or supplements available for our body to use. Therefore the most important reason to use Min-Col is to improve the utilization of all minerals, including those in Min-Col. One other thing needs to be mentioned. Besides needing the phosphate ion to use minerals, the body also needs water. So, for proper utilization of the nutrients we take in, Min-Col and sufficient water are the two key elements.

In the mid 1970’s, when I first began studying RBTI with Dr. Carey Reams (“Doc”), he was making his own Min-Col from soft rock phosphate. He was using a laborious process with hand sifters to obtain the small charged particles that could form a colloidal suspension in water. However, he was unhappy with the product his people were producing. It had very large particles that were completely unacceptable to him. Other people were making Min-Col from pure chemical calcium phosphate, also unacceptable. As I studied with Doc, I learned why this product was important. I decided to use my experience in machinery and process design to develop a method that would produce a fine colloid forming particle; without destroying the ionic charges (zeta potential) that help it form a colloid and maximizes its absorption. By 1979 I had perfected a dry process that produced a Min-Col nearly identical to water processed Min-Col, and equally as effective—if not better! Doc was thrilled. He excitedly exclaimed in his next class “Thank God for Jim Daily”. He no longer had to devote his time and energy to producing his own Min-Col and could devote his energy to teaching and testing. Doc enthusiastically insisted that people who followed his program use the Daily Min-Col. Daily Min-Col® remains the only Min-Col type product in existence that was endorsed by Dr. Carey Reams.

Look for more information on Min-Col® in the next newsletter