Tocopherols (TCP) are a class of organic chemical compounds (more precisely, various methylated phenols), many of which have vitamin E activity.
Contents
Uses
Benefits
Tocopheryl Nicotinate is a vitamin that dissolves in fat. It is found in many foods including vegetable oils, cereals, meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and wheat germ oil. It is also available as a supplement.
Tocopheryl Nicotinate is used for treating vitamin E deficiency, which is rare, but can occur in people with certain genetic disorders and in very low-weight premature infants.
Some people use Tocopheryl Nicotinate for treating and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels including hardening of the arteries, heart attack, chest pain, leg pain due to blocked arteries, and high blood pressure.
Tocopheryl Nicotinate is also used for treating diabetes and its complications. It is used for preventing cancer, particularly lung and oral cancer in smokers; colorectal cancer and polyps; and gastric, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.
Some people use Tocopheryl Nicotinate for diseases of the brain and nervous system including Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, Parkinson’s disease, night cramps, restless leg syndrome, and for epilepsy, along with other medications. Vitamin E is also used for Huntington’s chorea, and other disorders involving nerves and muscles.
Women use Tocopheryl Nicotinate for preventing complications in late pregnancy due to high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), painful periods, menopausal syndrome, hot flashes associated with breast cancer, and breast cysts.
Sometimes Tocopheryl Nicotinate is used to lessen the harmful effects of medical treatments such as dialysis and radiation. It is also used to reduce unwanted side effects of drugs such as hair loss in people taking doxorubicin and lung damage in people taking amiodarone.
Tocopheryl Nicotinate is sometimes used for improving physical endurance, increasing energy, reducing muscle damage after exercise, and improving muscle strength.
Caution
Tocopheryl Nicotinate is LIKELY SAFE for most healthy people when taken by mouth or applied to the skin. Most people do not experience any side effects when taking the recommended daily dose, which is 15 mg.
Tocopheryl Nicotinate is POSSIBLY UNSAFE if taken by mouth in high doses. If you have a condition such as heart disease or diabetes, do not take doses of 400 IU/day or more. Some research suggests that high doses might increase the chance of death and possibly cause other serious side effects. The higher the dose, the greater the risk of serious side effects.
There is some concern that Tocopheryl Nicotinate might increase the chance of having a serious stroke called hemorrhagic stroke, which is bleeding into the brain. Some research shows that taking Tocopheryl Nicotinate in doses of 300-800 IU each day might increase the chance of this kind of stroke by 22%. However, in contrast, Tocopheryl Nicotinate might decrease the chance of having a less severe stroke called an ischemic stroke.
There is contradictory information about the effect of Tocopheryl Nicotinate on the chance of developing prostate cancer. Some research suggests that taking large amounts of a multivitamin plus a separate Tocopheryl Nicotinate supplement might actually increase the chance of developing prostate cancer in some men.
High doses can also cause nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fatigue, weakness, headache, blurred vision, rash, and bruising and bleeding.
Interactions
Please consult your pharmacist.
Other names
Vitamin E
Reference
Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-954-vitamin%20e.aspx?activeingredientid=954&activeingredientname=vitamin%20e
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tocopherol