Annatto-E 150

Source of AntioxidantsVitamin E research has made considerable progress in recent decades. Vitamin E is not just a simple organic substance; it is a complex of specific constituents: 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols. The difference in molecular weight and chemical structure between these components gives them distinct properties that influence their biochemical functions. Commercial supplements are generally rich in tocopherols, especially alpha-tocopherol, but tocotrienols exert unique effects on a variety of tissues, making their supplementation alone, without the addition of tocopherols, desirable. The richest natural sources of vitamin E are whole grains, such as wheat (primarily the germ), rice, barley, oats, and corn, as well as palm fruit and annatto. Most of these foods therefore have a higher concentration of tocopherols than tocotrienols (T3). The vitamin E found in rice, for example, is composed of 50% tocopherols, 35% delta and gamma-T3 and 15% alpha and beta-T3 (the latter two being, however, less potent forms of T3 than the delta and gamma forms). Palm, on the other hand, benefits from a greater richness in tocotrienols: 25% tocopherols, 25% alpha and beta-T3 and 50% delta and gamma-T3. However, the most concentrated known source of natural tocotrienols is annatto, which is virtually tocopherol-free and contains 100% tocotrienols (90% delta and 10% gamma). The tocotrienols in Annatto-E come from annatto, so they are pure and extracted from a natural source. Since research shows that tocopherols, particularly alpha-tocopherol, would interfere with the positive effects of tocotrienols, developing this product was a logical choice for Design For Health. It may be preferable to dose tocotrienols alone or to space tocotrienols and alpha-tocopherol-containing products 6 hours apart. The tocotrienols in this product are formulated as Delta Gold®, a proprietary tocotrienol formula from American River Nutrition. It is made in the USA and has FDA GRAS status.