Tocopherols and tocotrienols as vitamin E

Introduction Vitamins are chemical compounds which are components of coenzymes and non-protein ingredients of enzymes. They are essential for life and normal functioning of the body. Vitamins are supplied with food as they cannot be synthesised by the body [1]. Bad diet, impaired vitamin absorption or the use of substances such as caffeine, nicotine and medicines may lead to hypovitaminosis, that is vitamin deficiency. This causes weakness, lowered immunity, muscular and joint pains, fragility of blood vessels, apathy and skin lesions. It also speeds up the ageing process. One of the most effective antioxidants which slow down the ageing of cells is vitamin E. It can penetrate the skin and is absorbed by the intercellular cement, thus protecting against epidermal damage and decreasing the sensitivity of epidermis to UV radiation [1, 2]. The term vitamin E describes a group of α-tocopherol derivatives exhibiting similar physiological activity [2].