What is tocopherol acetate?
Alpha-tocopherol acetate (ATA) , also known as vitamin E acetate, is a form of vitamin E. Commonly found in skin care products and dietary supplements. DL-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate is a synthetic form. DL- indicates the synthetic form and D- indicates the natural form. It is an ester of acetic acid and alpha-tocopherol.
Vitamin E is known for its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help protect your body from harmful compounds called free radicals. Typically, free radicals are formed when your body converts food into energy. However, free radicals can also come from UV rays, cigarette smoke and air pollution.
In nature, vitamin E occurs in the form of tocopherols or tocotrienols. Tocopherols and tocotrienols both have four forms, namely alpha, beta, gamma and delta. Alpha-tocopherol (AT) is the most active form of vitamin E in the human body.
ATA is more stable than AT, which means it can better withstand environmental stresses such as heat, air, and light. This makes it ideal for use in supplements and fortified foods as it has a longer shelf life.
Where can I find tocopherol acetate?
E-cigarette liquid ingredients
On September 5, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) announced that 10 of 18 e-cigarette liquid samples submitted by states (or 56%) were related to the recent outbreak of e-cigarette related lung diseases in the United States. . The United States has tested positive for vitamin E acetate, a substance used as a thickening agent by manufacturers of illegal THC e-cigarette cartridges.
On November 8, 2019, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified vitamin E acetate as the culprit in e-cigarette-related illnesses, but did not rule out other chemicals or toxic substances as possible causes.
The CDC findings, based on lung fluid samples from 29 patients with vaping-related lung injury, provide direct evidence of vitamin E acetate as the primary site of injury in all 29 lung fluid samples tested.
Research shows that vitamin E acetate may interfere with normal lung function when inhaled.
A 2020 study found that vaporizing vitamin E acetate produces carcinogenic alkenes and benzene, as well as highly toxic ketene gas, which may be a factor in lung damage.
Cosmetics and supplements
You'll find ATA in a variety of skin care products. The antioxidant properties of vitamin E help prevent free radical damage to the skin caused by UV rays. Vitamin E may also have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.
Due to its high stability, ATA is also used in vitamin E dietary supplements. When taken orally, ATA is converted to AT in the intestine. Vitamin E is found in most multivitamins, so if you take a multivitamin, be sure to check the content in your multivitamin before adding a supplement.
food
In addition to dietary supplements and cosmetics, you can also find vitamin E in the following foods:
- Green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach
- Oils, such as sunflower oil, wheat germ oil, and corn oil
- sunflower seeds
- Nuts, such as almonds and peanuts
- whole grains
- Fruit, such as kiwi and mango
Vitamin E is also added to fortified foods such as cereals, juices, and many spreads. You can check food labels to see if vitamin E is added. If you want to increase your vitamin E intake, you should increase your intake of these foods first.
potential benefits
Using AT on the skin, especially in conjunction with vitamin C, can help protect against UV damage to the skin. A review of studies by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University found that using AT and vitamin C on the skin can reduce sunburned cells, DNA damage, and skin pigmentation after UV exposure. However, AT is not as stable in the environment as ATA, which makes it more difficult to store.
Although ATA is less sensitive to heat and light than AT, ATA is converted to the active AT form less frequently within the skin. This is because cells in the upper layers of skin are much less metabolically active. Therefore, using cosmetics containing ATA on the skin may not be very effective. One study found that although there was ATA in the upper layers of skin after using the product, there was no active AT.
While there is much research on the potential benefits of AT, there is limited research on the benefits of ATA. The results of these studies on ATA are mixed. ATA often needs to be used in conjunction with other vitamins and minerals to have beneficial effects.
In 2013, a study of more than 4,000 participants with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) found that a combination of high-dose antioxidants C, E and beta-carotene with zinc could delay the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The disease progresses to advanced AMD.
In another review of studies, the Linus Pauling Institute found that taking ATA with other antioxidant supplements had no effect on the development or prevention of cataracts.
Regarding the overall benefits of vitamin E supplements, research results are mixed on whether they are beneficial for:
- coronary heart disease
- cancer
- Cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer's disease
potential risks
Most people do not experience side effects when taking the recommended daily dose of vitamin E, which is 15 milligrams (mg).
Too much vitamin E can cause problems. The upper tolerable dose of vitamin E in adults is 1000 mg. High doses above 1,000 mg are associated with the following side effects:
- Dizziness
- fatigue
- Headache
- weakness
- blurry vision
- stomach ache
- diarrhea
- nausea
If you take high-dose vitamin E supplements for more than a year, your risk of bleeding may increase. If you are taking anticoagulant medications, consult your doctor before taking vitamin E supplements.
It's unlikely that you'll get too much vitamin E from food, but it may happen if you also take supplements. Research also shows that men who take high-dose vitamin E supplements have a higher risk of prostate cancer.
The FDA does not monitor the purity or quality of supplements, so it is important to choose a reputable brand. Using skin care products containing ATA can also cause allergic reactions, skin redness, or rashes.
generalize
ATA is a form of vitamin E that is often included in cosmetics and dietary supplements because it is more stable than AT. When taken orally, ATA is converted into active AT in the body. The efficacy of ATA in cosmetics appears to be limited because ATA cannot be efficiently broken down into AT in the upper layers of the skin. Additionally, research on the benefits of ATA supplements is limited, and results are mixed at best.
If you want to get more vitamin E, try adding foods like leafy green vegetables, nuts, and wheat germ oil to your diet. Check with your doctor before adding any supplements.
