Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that has eight naturally occurring forms: four tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, delta-, gamma-) and four tocotrienols (alpha-, beta-, delta-, gamma-). Alpha-tocopherol seems to be the most abundant in the human body, but gamma-tocopherol and gamma-tocotrienol are the most bioactive.

Tocotrienols are members of the Vitamin E family. Human studies indicate that, in addition to their antioxidant activity, tocotrienols have other important functions, especially in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.

As fat soluble antioxidants they are uniquely suited to combat certain types of free radicals (fat soluble or peroxyl radicals) and prevent a chain reaction of lipid destruction (cell membranes, low-density lipoproteins or LDLs). Once membranes are damaged they can loose their integrity and functionality. Lipoproteins are important for the transportation of fats through the blood stream. Once oxidized by free radicals, these LDLs can damage the walls of arteries and veins and cause the development of foam cells or plaque that can in time compromise cardiovascular health.

After a Tocopherol molecule neutralizes a free radical, it is altered in such a way that its antioxidant capacity is lost. However, other antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and ALA, are capable of regenerating the antioxidant capacity of Vitamin E. Fortunately, ALA and antioxidants Vitamin C are perfectly suited to accept the radical for disposal and the tocopherols are ready to go back into action