Annatto tocotrienol (DeltaGold from American River Nutrition) targets bone loss associated with metabolic syndrome, as shown by two independent studies. Both studies, conducted by separate groups and recently published in Scientific Reports and Bone, respectively, showed that annatto tocotrienol was beneficial for management of metabolic syndrome parameters and had osteo-protective effects.
 
In the studies, tocotrienol improved glucose homeostasis and other metabolic syndrome parameters, while bone microstructure improved concurrently. Tocotrienol’s osteoprotective effect may be attributed to its regulation of glucose homeostasis and inflammation suppression.
 
Vitamin E is a family of eight separate but related molecules: four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). While alpha-tocopherol is found in most multivitamins and is supplemented in foods, a growing base of evidence suggests that this popular vitamin E interferes with the uptake and function of tocotrienols. Tocotrienols are derived from three major sources, including rice, palm, and annatto. The current study used annatto tocotrienols from DeltaGold, which is the only source that is free from tocopherol, and was supplied by U.S.-based manufacturer American River Nutrition.
 
According to the CDC, more than one third of U.S. adults meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome, while 1 in 10 Americans also have diabetes (90-95% of these suffer type 2 diabetes). The accompanying state of hyperglycemia, coupled with chronic inflammation and abnormal hormone functions, has been shown to negatively affect bone health in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Treatments to address both metabolic and bone health are generally absent, although the standard of care for high blood sugar—metformin—was shown to improve bone homeostasis.
 
Of the two similar but unrelated studies, one—conducted at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Lubbock, TX)—sought to compare the effect different doses of tocotrienol had on metabolic and bone parameters as compared to metformin. Similar to metformin, both tocotrienol doses given—corresponding to human doses of 160 mg and 640 mg/day—improved glucose homeostasis and suppressed markers of inflammation in mice. For osteo-protection, the higher tocotrienol dose outperformed metformin by increasing bone formation and trabecular volume, and decreasing bone resorption and trabecular separation. The lower tocotrienol dose was as effective as metformin for bone improvements. The authors of the study commented that “annatto tocotrienol has an equal … or even more favorable impact … suggesting tocotrienol supplementation may be an alternative to metformin for controlling hyperglycemia and providing bone benefits simultaneously.”
 
Researchers in the other independent study based at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia found comparable metabolic and bone health benefits. In this study, both tocotrienol doses—corresponding to human doses of 680 mg and 1,130 mg/day—improved metabolic syndrome parameters such as blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol in rats. Indicating simultaneous benefits for bone health, tocotrienol also improved the trabecular bone microstructure, bone strength, and normalized hormonal changes and inflammatory response. The authors noted their study showed that metabolic syndrome leads to skeletal deterioration, and that “annatto tocotrienol is a potential therapeutic agent for both metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis.”
 
Commenting on the research, Dr. Barrie Tan, president of American River Nutrition said, “These independent studies show for the first time that DeltaGold annatto tocotrienol as a single agent can target both metabolic and bone health. With more than a third of all Americans being pre-diabetic or diabetic and bearing an increased risk of osteoporosis, these results are welcome news to those battling both ailments, and support clinical data espousing DeltaGold benefits to metabolic health as we age and the aging bone.”