Ingredient Information

Function

Tocopherol is another term for vitamin E. It is used in food production as an antioxidant to prevent changes caused by reactions with oxygen. Tocopherol is also added to processed foods to fortify them with vitamin E, and is sold as a nutritional supplement.

Tocopherol actually refers to a group of tocopherols consisting of alph, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols. Some tocopherols are synthetic while some are partially synthetic. Synthetic tocopherols have the prefix, "dl," while partially synthetic tocopherols have the prefix, "d." Semi-synthetic vitamin E (often referred to as natural vitamin E) has twice the vitamin activity of synthetic vitamin E. Manufactured vitamin E is not identical in its vitamin activity to the natural vitamin E obtained from food.

Other Use and Industries

Alpha-tocopherol is sold as the nutritional supplement vitamin E for its antioxidant properties. Vitamin E has several applications in alternative medicine. It has been shown to protect against the onset of age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease, when used with zinc, and vitamin C. Vitamin E is recommended as a topical treatment for skin lesions and burns to promote healing and prevent scarring. It is also added to skin care products.

Health Effects

Alpha-tocopherol is the form of tocopherol used as a nutritional supplement (vitamin E) because it is well absorbed and utilized by the human body. Alpha-tocopherol is taken for its antioxidant properties. The many health benefits of antioxidants are well documented. Vitamin E has been shown to protect against the onset of age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease, when used with zinc, and vitamin C. Vitamin E is also recommended as a topcial treatment for skin lesions and burns to promote healing and prevent scarring.

Some tocopherol supplements are synthetic while some are partially synthetic. Synthetic tocpherol has the prefix, "dl", while semi-synthetic tocopherol has the prefix, "d". Semi-synthetic vitamin E (often referred to as natural vitamin E) has twice the vitamin activity of synthetic vitamin E. Manufactured vitamin E is not identical in its vitamin activity to the natural vitamin E obtained from food.

Origins

Synthetic tocopherols are chemically produced from petroleum. They are synthesized mixtures of all eight stereoisomers of alpha-tocopherol, which do not exist in nature. Semi-synthetic tocopherols are manufactured from chemically processed, vitamin E-containing fats and vegetable oils, primarily soybean oil.