Tocotrienol-rich vitamin E supports nerve health in subjects with diabetic neuropathy, says recent study

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A recent study published in Nutrients¹ found that supplementation with tocotrienol-rich vitamin E (EVNol SupraBio from ExcelVite; Edison, NJ) supported nerve growth factor and nerve conduction velocities in the nerves of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) patients. DPN is the most common diabetic neuropathic syndrome, and has a ten-year prevalence of about 50% among patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Half of patients with DPN are asymptomatic while the other half may experience neuropathic pain or have foot ulceration due to diminished sensation. Diabetic foot ulceration increases the risk of limb amputation. The five-year survival rates following diabetic foot ulcers and amputation are 50% and 30%, respectively.

Chronic hyperglycemia may contribute to DPN because of the activation of various metabolic pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammatory pathways, and nerve growth factor (NGF) to name a few. In the multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 80 subjects were randomized to receive either 200 mg of EvNol SupraVio or placebo, twice per day. Nerve conduction velocity tests, which measure how fast the nerves send important signals, were carried out on three nerves: median, sural, and tibial.

After eight weeks, results showed that supplementation with EVNol SupraBio significantly improved nerve conduction velocities of all the nerves. One surprising result from the study was that supplementation with the tocotrienol-rich vitamin E significantly elevated serum NGF levels, which the researchers say may reflect the reversal of neuronal injuries as well as the restoration of nerve function as the product may act through the pathway involving NGF, and not the oxidative stress or chronic inflammatory pathogeneses—to improve DPN.

“Our clinical works on EVNol SupraBio in diabetic complications started in 2016. To date, a total of 4 clinical papers have been published and reported the efficacy of this patented bioenhanced natural full spectrum palm tocotrienol complex as a complementary therapy for diabetic nephropathy (reducing creatinine level), and DPN (reducing lancinating pain and improving nerve conduction velocities),” said Bryan See, business development manager of ExcelVite, in a press release. “My colleagues and I are extremely excited with this novel finding in DPN patients. We are now planning a new clinical trial – a dose-dependent study of EVNol SupraBio in diabetic complications. Together, it underscores the importance of EVNol SupraBio as a potential natural phytonutrient in managing diabetes complications for healthy kidney and nerve functions.”

Reference

1. Ng YT et al. “The Effects of Tocotrienol-Rich Vitamin E (Tocovid) on Diabetic Neuropathy: A Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial.” Nutrients, vol. 12, no. 5 (2020): 1522.