Heart Disease

Tocotrienols inhibit thromboxane A2, a blood coagulation factor. Aspirin is also a thromboxane A2 inhibitor, explaining why it is often recommended for reducing the risk of heart problems. However, aspirin is foreign to the body and has potential for side effects such as stomach irritation. Tocotrienols are natural to the body and like most nutrients have no known side effects. [5] Tocotrienols have been shown to decrease thromboxane by 20-26% and platelet aggregation by 15-30%. Both thromboxane and platelet aggregation are associated with increased risk for heart attacks and strokes. Thromboxane A2, which is converted in the body to thromboxane B2, also acts as a vasoconstrictor; that is, it constricts the blood vessels, which can raise blood pressure. Anything that reduces the activity of thromboxane can therefore tend to reduce blood pressure.