FAQ
People have lots of questions about how to get the most out of annatto tocotrienols. Here are some answers.
How much should a normal healthy person take?
100-200 mg of tocotrienol per day is adequate for lipid antioxidant protection for all cell membranes and lipoproteins.
The annatto tocotrienol known as DeltaGold® was granted FDA-affirmed GRAS in 2014 and has been proven safe in a variety of clinical trials up to 600 mg/day.
Studies estimate the safe dose of tocotrienols for humans may be as high as 1,000 mg/day.
Can I get enough tocotrienol from my diet?
Unfortunately, no. The average American diet only provides 2 mg of tocotrienol per day, a mere 1-2% of the expected daily amount. Therefore, supplementation is needed to obtain adequate antioxidant protection.
How much should a condition-specific person take?
The recommended dose for a person with a mild chronic condition is 300-450 mg per day, and for a person with an advanced chronic condition, 450-600 mg per day. Clinical trials indicate that the highest dose taken safely for 24 months is 900 mg per day. Most indications call for 300-600 mg per day dosages.
When should I take tocotrienol?
Tocotrienol is lipid soluble so it is best consumed with a meal. Up to 300 mg of tocotrienol can be taken at each meal to allow the ease of absorption. Higher doses should be taken apart at different meals. It should not be taken on an empty stomach.
Do I need to worry about dietary alpha-tocopherol?
If you are referring to the interference that alpha-tocopherol would have on tocotrienols, then tocopherols coming from a healthy diet will not show any interference to tocotrienols. It is only when tocopherols are 15% of total vitamin E amount that they start to interfere with the functions of the tocotrienols.
If you are concerned about getting enough alpha-tocopherol in your diet, adding a few ounces of nuts or sunflower seeds, and/or a few tablespoons of vegetable oil such as wheat germ oil, sunflower, or safflower, to your healthy diet should suffice.
Will supplementing alpha-tocopherol interfere?
Yes, supplementing alpha-tocopherol will interfere with tocotrienol benefits. But don’t worry, there is usually no need to supplement alpha-tocopherol as you likely obtain the recommended 15 mg/day through diet alone.
Can I take DeltaGold® while on my prescriptions?
There is usually no contraindication to tocotrienol usage with medicines, although it is wise to consult with your healthcare professional before starting any nutritional supplement plan.
Because tocotrienols have up to fifty times the antioxidant potential that tocopherols have, do I still need to eat antioxidant foods?
Tocotrienols are not meant to replace antioxidant foods. Tocotrienols enhance your diet for better health. Supplements are called “supplements” for a reason, they are not called “substitutions.” You should always try to eat a variety of healthy, whole foods.
Is DeltaGold® really that effective as an antioxidant?
In studies at Brunswick Laboratories, Dr. Boxin Ou compared the ORAC value of DeltaGold® to tocopherol and mixed tocotrienols, and found that the antioxidant potential from DeltaGold® is much higher than that of the other compounds studied.
In addition, Ohio State University found that delta- and gamma-tocotrienol (as in DeltaGold®) protect lard from oxidation at low levels of just 100 ppm. The USDA lab and University of Georgia both published articles stating that DeltaGold® is effective in protecting fats in deep frying and omega-3s in infant formulas.
Dr. Lester Packer of the University of California/Berkeley also showed that, as antioxidants, tocotrienols are 40-60 times more potent than tocopherols.
In clinical studies delta-tocotrienol increased other endogenous antioxidants.
Should tocotrienol softgels be refrigerated?
Tocotrienols are very stable and tocotrienol in softgels are even more stable. They remain at the same potency for at least three years at room temperature. Refrigeration is not necessary.
What other supplements can I take with DeltaGold®?
You want to think about antioxidants and anti-inflammatories — in addition to compounds for your immune and cardio system. A diet of fish, kale, carrots, oatmeal, other nutritious cereals, citrus fruits, and dairy can give you almost everything that you need. If you have further questions, please use the contact page to send a message.