ExcelVite palm tocotrienol complex eases severe pain, diabetic patient study reveals

20 Feb 2018 --- Researchers at the University Science of Malaysia have found that daily doses of EVNol SupraBio – a bio-enhanced full spectrum palm tocotrienol complex – can help to relieve severe pain (lancinating pain) in diabetic neuropathy patients. Focusing on diabetic neuropathy patients (DPN), this Vitamin E Neuroprotection Study (VENUS) was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial carried out to discover how to better manage the challenging issue of painful neuropathy. It is the largest tocotrienol human clinical study of its kind. 

The trial involved 300 DPN patients who were initially assessed with Total Symptom Score (TSS) and Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS). 

One group of patients received capsules of 200 mg mixed tocotrienol (EVNol SupraBio), while another group received placebo capsules containing tocotrienol-free palm oil, twice daily. 

The mean differences in TSS change, as well as change in NIS after six months and 12 months supplementation, were measured. For clinically meaningful responses to the treatment, a minimum reduction of 1.83 in the TSS and 2 in the NIS has to be achieved. 

The groups with tocotrienol achieved clinically meaningful responses of reduction in the TSS with a reduction score of 3.30. There was also no apparent damage in sensory nerve conduction based on NIS test. 

These TSS and NIS scores for patients receiving tocotrienol, however, showed no significant differences with the placebo group. 

This neutral finding may due to the prominent placebo effects besides the variability in diabetes status and lifestyle management making it difficult to obtain significant observation.

However, one of the TSS components is the measurement of lancinating pain, which is a feeling of deep-seated, acute pain in DPN patients. A post hoc subgroup analysis observed that EVNol SupraBio tocotrienols could alleviate lancinating pain in DPN patients. 

Following the result, there is a new hypothesis on lancinating pain and, according to the innovators behind EVNol SupraBio, Excel Vite, this research no warrants a future study to elucidate the mechanism in which tocotrienols modulate this acute pain.

ExcelVite is the world’s largest producer of natural full spectrum tocotrienol complex (EVNol), mixed-carotene complex (EVTene), red palm oil concentrate (EVSpectra) and palm phytosterol complex (EVRol). These products are derived from non-GMO virgin red palm oil. 

Neuropathic pain 
A study published in Diabetes Care in 2003 reported that 27 percent of US$245 billion healthcare costs of diabetes in the US was attributed to DPN. 

“Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain caused by neuronal dysfunction and severe pain could affect quality of life. There are several mechanisms in which this pain could occur, which are – increased activity of 12/15-lipoxygenase and altered expression of voltage-gated sodium channels in the peripheral nerves,” says Diyanah Roslan, Nutritionist at ExcelVite.

“Tocotrienol has potential in reducing lancinating pain through modulation of these mechanisms. Further study on these mechanisms is essential for lancinating pain management using EVNol SupraBio bio-enhanced full spectrum tocotrienol complex.”

“Worldwide, 382 million people suffered diabetes, and DPN can affect almost half of the diabetic population. Each year, the US spent roughly US$66 billion on DPN patients. If EVNol SupraBio could help in reducing lancinating pain in DPN patients, it would be beneficial in terms of time and money invested on DPN, besides providing improved quality of life of the patients.”

Bryan See, Business Development Manager of ExcelVite, adds how even better, supplementary tocotrienol could also help in supporting healthy liver and metabolic health.

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