About this ingredient
Ingredients
Tocopherol is a group of fat-soluble compounds that includes several forms of vitamin E, particularly alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol is the form of vitamin E recognized as meeting human nutritional requirements. Tocopherols occur naturally in foods such as vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and green leafy vegetables. Supplement products may contain natural or synthetic tocopherol, mixed tocopherols, or esterified forms such as tocopheryl acetate.
Tocopherol refers to a family of fat-soluble compounds belonging to the vitamin E group. Naturally occurring vitamin E includes four tocopherols—alpha, beta, gamma, and delta—as well as four related tocotrienols. Alpha-tocopherol is the primary form maintained in the body and the form used to establish human vitamin E requirements.
Vitamin E functions as a fat-soluble antioxidant and also contributes to normal immune function and other biological processes. Tocopherols are naturally present in foods including nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and green leafy vegetables.
In dietary supplements, tocopherol may appear as d-alpha-tocopherol (natural RRR-alpha-tocopherol), dl-alpha-tocopherol (synthetic alpha-tocopherol), mixed tocopherols, or esterified forms such as alpha-tocopheryl acetate and succinate. These forms can differ in biological activity and labeling.
Tocopherols are commonly included in vitamin E supplements, antioxidant formulations, multivitamins, softgels, and nutritional products. Some tocopherols are also used as antioxidants in foods and help protect fats and oils from oxidation.