How an increased intake of alpha-tocopherol can suppress the bioavailability of gamma-tocopherol.
alpha-Tocopherol is the only form of vitamin E in vitamin supplements, whereas gamma-tocopherol is the predominant form of vitamin E in the US diet. gamma-Tocopherol has beneficial properties as an anti-inflammatory and possibly anti-atherogenic and anticancer agent. Excess a-tocopherol taken in supplements causes a reduction of gamma-tocopherol concentration in plasma. The biochemical mechanism of this effect, which is important to human nutrition, has recently been elucidated.
Wolf
George
G
Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, USA. ilsipress@ilsi.org
D001682:Biological Availability; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D014815:Vitamins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D014815:Vitamins; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol