Tocotrienol is a palm oil derived vitamin E.
There were also significant improvements in other metabolic health parameters, such as an increase in the good cholesterol high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C).
The clinical trial was conducted by Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Food Technology Program and Universiti Sains Malaysia Bertam Medical Center during 2022.
Findings of the study, which the authors claimed was the first of its kind, were published in the journal Food & Function in February 2025.
The trial involved 81 adult patients referred to the Universiti Sains Malaysia Bertam Medical Centre and were suffering from metabolic syndrome, such as a large waist circumference of more than 102 cm for men and over 88 mc for women.
They also had a fasting blood glucose of at least 5.6 mmol L, serum triglyceride level of more than 1.69 mmol L, and blood pressure of at least 130/85 mmHg.
The median age of the participants was 61 years old, with slightly more than half (53.1 per cent) men.
They were randomised into three groups, receiving either tocotrienol-enriched oat, oat with no tocotrienol, or no intervention at all.
The tocotrienol-enriched oat was sponsored by Malaysia’s Bioley Toco Oats, and the study also received financial support from Gold Choice Food Industries Sdn. Bhd.
The tocotrienol-enriched oat is a powder sachet each containing 50mg of tocotrienol, beta-glucan, oligofructose, soy lecithin, seaweed calcium, and lutein, according to the product’s website.
Both groups taking the oat products had to take two sachets each day - meaning the group taking tocotrienol-enriched oat was taking 100mg of tocotrienol each day.
Changes in the metabolic profile of individuals were considered as the primary endpoint.
Results showed significant improvements in blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterols among the group taking tocotrienol-enriched oat and oat, as compared to the control group.
For instance, fasting blood glucose in the tocotrienol-enriched oat and oat groups had dropped from 7.3 to 6.7 mmol L−1 and 7.5 to 7 mmol L−1 respectively post-intervention.
However, that of the control group went up from 7 to 8 mmol L−1 post-intervention.
Post-intervention, the group taking tocotrienol-enriched oat also had a significantly lower fasting blood glucose than the control group.
While the mechanism underlying the effect of tocotrienol on glycaemic control remains unclear, the researchers said that the most frequently discussed pathway was the anti-oxidative action of tocotrienol, in turn protecting pancreatic beta cells from oxidative damage.
On the other hand, the tocotrienol oat group also saw the level of their “good cholesterol” HDL-C increased from 1.3 to 1.6 mmol L−1 post-intervention, also significantly greater than the control group, where their HDL-C levels remained at 1.3 mmol L−1 throughout the trial.
The HDL-C levels for the group taking oat also increased, albeit to a lower extent - from 1.3 to 1.4 mmol L−1.
By the end of the study, the tocotrienol oat group also showed significant improvements in their blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
The researchers explained that tocotrienol could have improved blood pressure by enhancing nitric oxide production.
“Our data revealed an improvement in overall BP (blood pressure) among those who received tocotrienol-enriched oats or oats alone, further corroborating the earlier studies.
“Tocotrienol exerts its influence by bolstering the activity of NO (nitric oxide) synthase, thereby augmenting the production of NO. NO is a vasodilator that facilitates blood vessel relaxation and dilation, directly enhances blood circulation and reduces resistance to BP.”
However, there was no significant improvements in their waist circumference as compared to the control group.
Increase in muscle mass and reduced body fat
In addition, the tocotrienol oat group demonstrated a significant increase in muscle mass and reduced body fat by the end of the study.
Muscle mass went up from 24.7 per cent to 25 per cent, while that of the control group went down from 24.3 per cent to 24 per cent.
Their body fat composition also reduced from 35.1 per cent to 34.4 per cent, while that of the control group went up from 34.7 per cent to 35.5 per cent.
Higher remission rates
There was also a higher remission rate of metabolic syndrome among the tocotrienol group as compared to the other two groups.
For example, their remission rate was 37 per cent, approximately twice that of the control group which had a remission rate of 18.5 per cent. The remission rate of the group taking only oats was 33 per cent.
Metabolic syndrome is considered to have remitted when, according to the NCEP ATP-III, only up to two of the components were present upon the second assessment.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first human clinical trial to investigate the functionality of the combination of tocotrienol and oat consumption to ameliorate MetS.
“The strength of our study lies in its rigorous methodology, incorporating a double-blind randomized controlled design to ensure the robustness and reliability of the findings.
“This complementary dietary management approach may be more effective at alleviating MetS symptoms than the pharmacological approach alone and could be a safe dietary strategy for secondary prevention,” the researchers concluded.
Source: Food & Function
Effects of tocotrienol-enriched oat supplementation on metabolic profile, nutritional status and health-related quality of life among patients with metabolic syndrome
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO03307H
Authors: Camilla Wahida Norazman, Mastura Mohd Sopian and Lai Kuan Lee
