An animal study with mice examined the influence of annatto-tocotrienolsn on the microbiome in the intestine and on inflammatory factors in white adipose tissue.
About the study:Metabolic Benefits of Annatto-Extracted tocotrienol on Glucose Homeostasis, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiome
The tocotrienols (from Annatto, with predominantly delta-tocotrienol) were administered together with a high-fat diet.
Results: The group with tocotrienolsn showed in comparison to the control groups
- following improvements in intestinal microbiome:Akkermansia muciniphila increased, Ruminococcus lactaris, Dorea longicatena and Lachnospiraceae decreased
- better glucose tolerance
- reduced levels of obesity hormones (e.g. resistin and leptin) and inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-6)
This study shows a positive influence of the tocotrienols against some factors that can trigger obesity, such as inflammatory processes in fatty tissue.
In particular, improvements in the intestinal microbiome would be desirable for various diseases in humans.Akkermansia muciniphila is a bacterium that protects the mucous layer on the intestinal villi and could help against food intolerances.
tocotrienols against overweight/obesity
A study with tocotrienolsn in overweight people is currently taking place (Actions of Annatto-Extracted tocotrienol Supplementation on Obese Postmenopausal Women: Study Protocol for a Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial )
It was found in animals that tocotrienols could reduce body weight as well as fat mass and body circumference (Links 18-20 in the document above, see full text). According to current findings to convert the animal dose to humans, 300 mg tocotrienol is now used daily.
We can't wait to see how obesity will develop in people in the new clinical study.
tocotrienols against colon cancer
The improvements in the gut microbiome were also confirmed in another study that looked at tocotrienolsn and curcumin in colon cancer (Natural Agents Inhibit Colon Cancer Cell Proliferation and Alter Microbial Diversity in Mice). Regarding colon cancer, there was a synergistic (anti-enhanced) effect of curcumin and TRF-tocotrienolsn.