Tocopherols are a family of compounds that are fat-soluble vitamins and antioxidants. They are also known as vitamin E. The tocopherols include alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol. All of these forms have antioxidant properties, which can help protect cells from damage.
Tocopherols are found in vegetables, especially nuts and seeds. They play an important role in protecting the body against free radical damage, which occurs when molecules such as oxygen react with other molecules in the body, causing oxidation and cell damage. These antioxidants may be able to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases associated with aging by neutralizing free radicals before they cause damage to healthy cells.
The three major forms of vitamin E are alpha-tocopherol (synthetic), beta-tocotrienol (natural), and gamma-tocotrienol (natural).