The antioxidant tocotrienols continues the proud tradition of powerful antioxidants having really bizarre names.  Tocotrienols is a fat-soluble antioxidant typically combined with Vitamin E in supplements.  Tocotrienols is best known for its impact on cholesterol, primarily its ability to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) while leaving good cholesterol (HDH) unchanged. 

In a preliminary study, patients given 200 mg of tocotrienols showed a notable reduction in cholesterol levels.  After taking tocotrienols for four weeks, patients averaged a 13% reduction in cholesterol.  In a similar study, patients who consumed 200 mg of tocotrienols each day noticed a 15% drop in total cholesterol and an 8% reduction in bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. 

In the past few years, the focus of toctrienols has not been cholesterol.  Researchers have been primarily focused on using tocotrienols to help the cardiovascular system.  In 2005, there were two studies done which measured the influence of tocotrienols in stroke recovery and tocotrienols ability to combat tumors.   
 
In October 2005, researchers studied tocotrienols and its ability to defend the brain against degeneration (deterioration) after a stroke.  The study found that animals who consumed tocotrienols supplements were less susceptible to stroke-induced brain-damage than animals in the control group.  Another 2005 study measured the effect of tocotrienol supplements on mice with tumors.  After consuming tocotrienols, the mice showed significant suppression of tumors in the liver and lungs.  Both studies concluded that it is too early to establish the effectiveness of tocotrienols, but hope that these studies will lead to more research in the future regarding tocotrienols’ healing properties.