In addition to tocopherols, tocotrienols are considered to be a promising supplement to prevent lifestyle-related diseases. The recognition, use, and desire to take tocotrienols as a supplement by selected members of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Dietetics were investigated in comparison with tocopherols.
About 20% of the members took tocopherols as a supplement, the mean intake level per day being 133mg as α-tocopherol. This level is within the maximum intake level of 150mg/day as a supplement recommended by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. Those members who felt the stress of daily life and were worried about their health took a higher level of tocopherols than those who did not feel the stress and had confidence in their health. However, few members took or desired to take tocotrienols, despite the fact that about 40% of the members who took any supplements to promote their health recognized tocotrienols.
These results indicate that the use of tocotrienols as a supplement by selected members of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Dietetics was much lower than that of tocopherols.
