In nature, tocopherols and tocotrienols are found together as part of the E-complex. Tocopherols are present in much higher concentrations, which is why isolated tocotrienols are so expensive: there is little biomass to work with.

Since these substances naturally occur together, it seems strange that this conflict would exist. However, our biochemistry which determines how we process and absorb nutrients is ancient.  Modern diets generally contain much more saturated fats and other sources of cholesterol than the human diet did when our biochemistry was formed. So, it is only now that the cholesterol-lowering characteristics of tocotrienols are of great value whereas they would have been unnecessary to our ancient ancestors. Additionally, the richest sources of E-complex come from grains, which were not a substantial part of the human diet during the time period in question. This could help explain why such an anomaly in the way our bodies react to the two nutrients might exist.

With our livers working to convert saturated fats we consume into cholesterol, gamma tocotrienol might be quite useful. If tocopherols actually suppress the cholesterol-lowering benefits of tocotrienols, then taking the two together is unwise for those with elevated serum cholesterol. Of course, a better approach might simply be consuming less fatty meats, and a lot more fresh vegetables and fruits, keeping with our historical Paleolithic diet.

I accentuated the “If” in the previous paragraph because there is not yet a consensus on whether these effects are true. Years ago, it was noted that 75 mg per day of tocotrienols could reduce cholesterol in apes. However, the effects of supplemental doses of tocopherols on the apes were never tested.

Furthermore, the paper cited in support of the claim that tocopherol may suppress the effects of gamma tocotrienol reported on a study done with rats. Rats are indeed mammals, and we share most of our genes with them, BUT they metabolize lipids in a far different way than humans. Their lipid processing pathways are closer to our very ancient ancestors, tree shrews, than they are to Paleolithic humans. So we can’t immediately assume that suppression in rats by tocopherol confirms suppression in our bodies.