Ingredient Information

Function

D-Alpha Tocopheryl is the natural vitamin compound we know as vitamin E found most commonly in vegetable oils, seeds, whole grains and nuts among other foods. D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate is used to naturally fortify foods and beverages with Vitamin E, most commonly found in cereals and baby formulas. D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetates are best consumed in supplements due to the lack of quantity of D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate found in most foods. It’s best to consume vitamin E supplements with a meal for maximum effect.

Other Use and Industries

D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate is also used in skin lotions and sun block lotions and is believed to be good for the hydration of skin and in healing of light scars. D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate is mixed with other Tocopheryl and used in pet foods to fortify and better preserve the food.

Health Effects

D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate helps protect cell membranes and other parts of the body that are fat-soluble from damage. When consumed with other antioxidants, D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate can help protect the body against Age-related mascular degeneration (AMD). Higher intakes of D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate have also shown to help protect the body against free radicals which can lead to the development of certain cancers such as prostate and breast cancers; but no conclusive evidence exists that relates cancer prevention and vitamin E intake.

Consuming 300-600mg of D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate per day can assist the retina from damage caused by glaucomatous effects. When combined with vitamin C, D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate can help protect against sunburn. Increase intake of D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate has been found to help Epileptic children control epileptic episodes. Consuming over 1000mg of D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate could lead to increases in bleeding problems, headaches, nausea, double vision, fatigue, muscle weakness, gastrointestinal distress and mild creatinuria. Too much Vitamin E can adversely affect vitamin A and K absorptions in the body leading to deficiencies in those vitamins. A lack of D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate can lead to nerve conduction problems including spinocerebellar ataxia, anemia and myopathies.

Origins

D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate was discovered in the early 1920s by scientist Herbert McLean Evans, who worked with vitamin compounds in experiments on rat fertility, and found wheat germ contained an unknown vitamin compound, and in 1936 he was able to further isolate the vitamin E compound and identify it as such. The Tocopheryl name came from the Greek words for birth and to bear or carry, aptly named so since discovered while performing fertility experiments on rats.