ALL VITAMIN E IS NOT CREATED EQUAL!
There are six major types of Vitamin E supplements on the market.
They're NOT ALL ALIKE . . . Vitamin E activity doesn't come from one single molecule, but from a family of related molecules called tocopherols and tocotrienols. There are four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta), of which only alpha-tocopherol was recognized in the 1960s, by the government, to have Vitamin E activity, which is measured in International Units (I.U.s).
Consequently, because of that decision only the alpha-tocopherol portion of a Vitamin E product is considered "Vitamin E," so, the I.U. content of Vitamin E supplements generally refers to only alpha-tocopherol.
Following is a list of the major available types of Vitamin E supplements on the market today:
Synthetic Vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol, or more correctly, All-racemic-alpha tocopherol:
This chemically-produced type is the cheapest and the most widely sold. Unlike other vitamins, and their synthetic counterparts, synthetic Vitamin E is not identical to natural Vitamin E. It contains equal amounts of eight similar compounds, of which only one is identical to natural Vitamin E.
Natural Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol, or more correctly, RRR-alpha-tocopherol):
This source of Vitamin E is isolated from plant-source oils, primarily soy, and is further processed resulting in a Vitamin E supplement that is all d-alpha-tocopherol. Although more costly than synthetic, natural Vitamin E is now recognized to provide two times the I. U. value of an equal amount of synthetic Vitamin E.
Synthetic or Natural Vitamin E Esters (tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryl succinate or tocopheryl phosphate):
Since all tocopherols primarily function as antioxidants, their stability is inherently very poor. Therefore, tocopherols are chemically altered to form more stabilized molecules called esters. Once the esterified Vitamin E is consumed, enzymes in the small intestine remove the ester from the tocopherol molecule and the tocopherol is absorbed into the body. Vitamin E esters are much more stable in supplements that contain minerals, such as iron and copper.
Natural Tocopherol-Tocotrienol Combinations:
Supplements containing tocopherols and tocotrienols are mainly obtained from natural sources, such as palm, coconut or rice bran oil. They may contain various quantities of tocopherol molecules (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and tocotrienol molecules (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). Since natural sources may vary, the quantities of the tocopherols and tocotrienols may also vary. It has also been shown that alpha-tocopherol inhibits the absorption of tocotrienols.
Natural Mixed Tocopherols (Mixture of alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherols):
Natural Mixed-tocopherols are isolated, purified and concentrated from plant-source oils with no further processing to convert the non-alpha tocopherols to alpha-tocopherol. Since the alpha-form is generally recognized to provide the major Vitamin E activity, mixed tocopherols are typically converted to alpha-tocopherol.
UNIQUE E®:
This all-natural, pure mixed-tocopherol concentrate consists of a proprietary mixture of the four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) as obtained from plant-source oils. It is totally devoid of fillers, allergens, colorants, additives, soy protein, wheat or gluten. This concentrated formula provides all the benefits of the complete spectrum of the four tocopherols typically found in food. Each capsule contains a consistent amount of the four tocopherol molecules. Recent research has shown that gamma and delta tocopherol have other functions that are different and unique to alpha-tocopherol. Thus, current scientific literature would suggest that the consumption of a significant amount of all four Vitamin E isomers is of greater benefit than simply consuming alpha-tocopherol.
UNIQUE E® is a proprietary formula that has been specifically designed to provide optimum assimilation and maximum health benefits. We adhere to strict quality control measures, including third party independent assay, to ensure our products are made according to our strict, proprietary formula. A.C. Grace has been providing UNIQUE E® for almost half a century! The product has proven itself over that many years and has never changed.
SEE & TASTE the difference! Most Vitamin E on the market looks light in color — that’s because it may contain up to 50% vegetable oil as a filler. UNIQUE E® does not! Bite into one of those oil-diluted Vitamin E capsules and it will most likely taste bad — that’s because vegetable oil can turn rancid — UNIQUE E® has a mild taste!
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