The Role of Tocotrienols and Post COVID

Researchers are discovering that a significant number of people who recover from COVID-19 have heart damage caused by the virus due to inflammation. Even those whose illnesses were mild enough for them to avoid going to the hospital seemed to be impacted.

In one German study, 76% of people with COVID-19 showed evidence of biomarker damage to their hearts that was similar to damage caused by heart attacks. COVID-19 was also found to cause ongoing inflammation of the heart muscle in 60 percent of the people who recovered from the virus. Researchers believe that the inflammation may lead to heart failure in a portion of the population that was previously healthy. Outcomes of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients Recently Recovered from Coronavirus Disease 2019. JAMA Cardiol. 2020;5(11):1265-1273. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2020.3557

Additional research has shown that COVID-19 may increase the risk of blood clots, which may cause heart damage or heart attacks. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020 Jun 16; 75(23): 2950–2973. Published online 2020 Apr 17. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.04.031PMCID: PMC7164881 PMID: 32311448

Validation of the impact on the coagulation system has been verified by the increases in Factor V . . a protein of the coagulation system. It is able to bind to activated platelets and is activated by thrombin. Marked factor V activity in COVID-19 is associated with venous thromboembolism. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.25979

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT TOCOTRIENOLS MAY PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN REDUCING CARDIOVASCULAR RISK ASSOCIATED WITH COVID?

Research on tocotrienols indicate that they do in fact modulate platelet aggregation and thrombotic mechanisms in pre-clinical studies. PMID: 28912593 PMCID: PMC5599564 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11813-w

Tocotrienols, have also been verified to attenuate atherosclerosis lesions.

Shibata A, Kobayashi T, Asai A, Eitsuka T, Oikawa S, Miyazawa T, et al. High purity tocotrienols attenuate atherosclerotic lesion formation in apoE‐KO mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2017;48:44‐50. Epub 2017/08/02.

What exactly are tocotrienols?

Tocotrienols are part of the Vitamin E family. The primary sources are palm, rice, and annatto oil. Of these, annatto is the most important. Tocotrienols are divided into 4 Vitamers which include Alpha T3, Beta T3, Delta T3, and Gamma T3. Of these Delta T3 is the most active and thus the most beneficial at reducing inflammation and reducing adhesion molecules in atherosclerosis. Tocotrienols are not to be confused with another part of the Vitamin E family . . tocopherols. (Alpha T, Beta T, Delta T, and Gamma T). Tocopherols which are heavily used in the supplement industry can actually exacerbate stroke injury and increase cardiac risk by compromising cholesterol and triglyceride reduction. They do not provide any anti-angiogenic effects.

Most of the studies on Tocotrienols are dosed at approximately 200 mg. It would be almost impossible to attain this level through dietary consumption; therefore, supplementation makes sense. Dosages for adults of 200 mg daily for up to 5 years have shown no side effects as have dosages of up to 600 mg daily for up to 6 months. Tocopherols should be taken with food and due to its’ anti-coagulant” potential should be carefully evaluated with other medications that the individual may be taking.

It appears that there IS sufficient evidence to support the use of Tocotrienols for individuals who have had COVID-19.

Note: There appears to be a significant benefit of Tocotrienols for individuals post-COVID-19 vaccination who are experiencing extreme fatigue related to increased blood viscosity. We are seeing this daily in our clinics.