Tocotrienols & Bone Strength! What is the Hidden Link?

People are always on the go these days, multitasking and all at once, right? 

When it comes to health, the most common thing you care about is maintaining your physique or losing weight. But then, out of nowhere, you are struck with unexpected back or joint pain. Why does this happen? It could be because you have overlooked a crucial aspect of your well-being, the foundation of everything you do, “your bone health.”

"You’re not getting enough calcium!"- You’ve probably heard this before. Yes, it is a standard so-called response when someone is experiencing joint or back pain. But what is the truth? Calcium is not the only important factor in bone health. 

Here, we will break this myth and explore Tocotrienols to keep your bones strong and healthy.

First things first:

What are 5 signs that indicate your bone health needs attention?

Your body often sends subtle signals when your bones need extra care. Here are 5 common signs that might suggest it’s time to pay attention to your bone health.

1. Weak nails

Like bones, nails require essential nutrients. If bones become weakened, nails might become brittle and break more easily.

2. Difficulty in opening the mouth

If you feel stress when opening your mouth, it may mean your jawbone is losing strength, which can lead to loss of bone mineral density in your spine. Consult your dentist for guidance, especially if you have X-rays. 

3. Muscle cramps and joint pain

Experiencing unexplained aches, cramps, or joint pain might be a sign that your bones are weaker than they should be.

4. Skin sagging

Yes, “the elevens” on your foreheads indicate other tissues that are not visible to the naked eye. Since skin and bones share the same protein, collagen, changes that affect skin elasticity can also impact bone health.

5. Reduced lean body mass

It can be due to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can negatively affect the bone remodeling cycle, a continuous process in which new bone replaces old or damaged bone tissue. This leads to an increase in bone resorption, the process of breaking down bone, and a decrease in bone formation.

Now that you're aware of common signs of bone issues, you might have heard the typical advice to take calcium. While calcium is important, other natural nutrients, like tocotrienol (50 times more potent form of vitamin E), are also crucial—let's explore this in the next section.

While Calcium is Important, It’s Not the Only Hero!

You all know that calcium plays a crucial role in maintaining your body's bone health, and it's very important to include it in your diet.

But did you know that there's an “unsung hero” who can also play a crucial role in supporting strong, healthy bones?

Drumroll… “Tocotrienols”!! How? Let’s find out!

Here are the 4 top benefits of Tocotrienol for your bone health.

1. Acts as an Antioxidant - Like a Shield 

Did you know that harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause oxidative stress? 

Oxidative stress can lead to weakened bones and contribute to a condition called osteoporosis, which is the weakening of bones. When the body’s natural defense system struggles to fight these molecules,  bone loss increases.

How Tocotrienols help:

• In a study, researchers found that delta-tocotrienol can help keep bones healthy by reducing harmful reactive oxygen species and enhancing the body’s natural antioxidant defense mechanism. 

2. As an Anti-Inflammatory Agent- Fights Inflammation 

Harmful substances like nicotine and iron overload can trigger inflammation, leading to increased activity of bone-breaking cells (osteoclasts) and eventual bone loss.

How Tocotrienols help: 

• Tocotrienol can help lower inflammation by reducing the levels of inflammatory molecules such as interleukin-1 and interleukin-6. 

• Additionally, research has shown that alpha-tocotrienol specifically blocks the signals that instruct the body to produce more osteoclasts, which means it helps slow down bone loss by preventing excessive breakdown of bone tissue. 

3. Inhibitor of osteoclast activity - As a Halt 

Aging affects the proliferation and activity of osteoclasts, leading to increased bone destruction, which can result in weakened bones as you age.

How Tocotrienols help: 

• In a study, researchers found that a form of tocotrienol was effective in reducing bone loss by inhibiting the formation and activity of osteoclasts. 

• It was found to effectively block key signaling pathways, including RANKL, c-Fos, ERK, NF-κB, and NFATc1. These signals are essential for osteoclast formation, a process that involves breaking down bone tissue and resorbing it. 

• It means that signals leading to bone breakdown will be inhibited, while signals promoting bone formation will be enhanced.

4. Regulation of Collagen Synthesis– Like a Support Beam

Loss of collagen in skin and bones with aging contributes to decreased bone density in senile osteoporosis. Tocotrienols play a beneficial role in regulating collagen synthesis, which indirectly supports bone strength.

How Tocotrienols Help: 

• A study examined how annatto-derived tocotrienol (AnTT) affects bone formation in pre-osteoblastic cells, which are crucial for bone creation.

• Tocotrienol may enhance the expression of key bone formation-related genes (OSX, COL1α1, ALP, OCN) over time, particularly from day 3 to day 21.

• Tocotrienol-treated cells produced more collagen, with a significant increase in type 1 collagen from day 3 to day 15.
  

Overall, the study demonstrated that tocotrienols actively support bone formation by boosting collagen production and enhancing bone-building processes.

An Extra Benefit of Tocotrienols!

Telomere length is often used to track how quickly your cells, including those in your bones, are aging. A study found that low doses of gamma-tocotrienol can protect cells from aging caused by oxidative stress. It may also help maintain healthy telomere length—something that could support better bone health as you age.

Also read How Tocotrienol-Rich Vitamin E Revolutionizes Healthy Aging?

Note: Tocotrienols for bone health need a more conclusive study. Do not take it as a replacement for your treatment.

Conclusion : 

Many of you overlook your bone health until the pain emerges. Your bones do require continuous care, and there’s more to strengthening them than you might realize. While you often focus on external signs like joint pain or brittle nails, these are just surface indicators of deeper changes happening within. We have discussed tocotrienols, a potent form of Vitamin E, and how it can help improve bone health in some indirect ways, such as fighting oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and supporting bone remodeling. 

Taking a holistic approach to bone health means looking beyond conventional solutions and embracing nutrients that work at a deeper level. Incorporating tocotrienols into your diet could be a step toward stronger, healthier bones. However, it’s always important to consult a healthcare professional before adding any new supplement to your regimen. 

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The supplements mentioned above are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The results are based only on early research and preliminary studies.

FAQs 

Q1. Who should not take tocotrienols? 

People with conditions like diabetes, liver disease, or alcohol dependence should consult their doctor before taking tocotrienols.

Q2. What are the sources of tocotrienols for bone health? 

Sources of Tocotrienols for bone health include Rice bran oil, Palm oil, Barley, Oats, and Annatto seeds (rich in Delta-tocotrienol, the most bioactive form).

Q3. Can you take tocotrienols every day? 

Typically, tocotrienols can be taken by adults in doses ranging from 200 to 600 mg daily. It's essential to consult a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage for your specific needs or condition. 

Q4. What are people saying about the side effects of tocotrienols?

Tocotrienols are considered safe, but it’s always best to speak with your doctor before starting a new supplement.

Q5. Is it true that tocotrienols can protect against osteoporosis?

Research indicates that tocotrienol can help increase bone density and decrease bone loss, making it a potential protective agent against osteoporosis.

References 

1. Chin, K.-Y. and Ima-Nirwana, S. (2015) The biological effects of Tocotrienol on bone: A review on evidence fr: DDDT, Drug Design, Development and Therapy. Available at: https://www.dovepress.com/the-biological-effects-of-tocotrienol-on-bone-a-review-on-evidence-fro-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-DDDT (Accessed: 18 April 2025).

2. Zhang, L. et al. (2024) Consequences of aging on Bone, Aging and disease. Available at: https://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2023.1115 (Accessed: 18 April 2025). 

3. Wan Hasan, W.N. et al. (2018) Annatto-derived tocotrienol stimulates osteogenic activity in preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells: A temporal sequential study, Drug design, development and therapy. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6005313/ (Accessed: 18 April 2025). 

4. Makpol, S. et al. (2010) Gamma-tocotrienol prevents oxidative stress-induced telomere shortening in human fibroblasts derived from different aged individuals, Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2835887/ (Accessed: 18 April 2025).