Question 1

Is this product D-Apha Tocopherol or DL-Alpha Tocopherol?

Accepted Answer

Hello, I'm a Nutraceutical consultant with many years employment background in QC pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry.  I have not tested this lot of product personally, nor have I contacted NOW to ask, but I've used it in the past and I'd safely assume this is pure Tocopheryl Acetate based on the IU claim of 70,000 per 2.5oz.  It's actually a conservative number, probably closer to 73,900 IU in theory, but it's a testimony to the honesty of NOW to short the claim!  As a QC chemist, I can tell you that's a good sign in any manufacturer, and the lower IU claim helps account for any reduced potency.  Reduced potency is common with commercial products, and generally results from long storage in some relatively uncontrolled warehouse, short term excessive heat during shipping, light exposure, etc.. so the product you actually receive probably is ~70,0000 IU.Anyway, "Tocopheryl Acetate" is a thick, sticky mess, and that's just how it is.  If you cut it with 50% thin veg oil (like grape seed) it makes it much easier to work with.  I keep the stock bottle in the fridge, and a 50% diluted aliquot in a dropper bottle out to use, then just mix up more as I need it.  It's best to keep the stock stored cold in amber glass because all isomers and esters of Vit. E are very UV sensitive, and heat is the enemy also.  In the future, NOW might consider using actinic or amber containment for  this product.  You can wrap the outside of the bottle with aluminum foil if you don't have another darker containment vessel to transfer it to.  As for specific composition, it's likely synthetic for the price (but not necessarily) and it's mixed DL isomers of alpha, beta, gamma and delta forms of Tocopheryl.  Ironically, the biologically superior Alpha form is the most inferior anti-oxidant, so I prefer this kind of mixed product if I'm seeking a good, oil soluble anti-oxidant.  It is almost certainly 18-25% Alpha form based on all my experiences with this raw material.  If you are interested in maximum biological activity, then pure distilled "D-alpha-Tocopherol" is what you want.  This is it's natural free alcohol form.  It's physical characteristics are identical to the other forms (thick and gooey) but it's a golden brown color in free form (only the Acetates are clear/yellow colored.)  I greatly prefer the Acetates because they prolong the storage life.  If it breaks down in the bottle, it forms free Vit. E with a little acetic acid (vinegar) which helps prevent auto-oxidation of the free Vit. E, and that's a good thing.  Free form alpha  Vit. E is far less stable (especially most affordable commercial forms with trace impurities), and must be stored more carefully and used more rapidly.  Hope this helps.

Question 2

My doctor recomended Vitamin E to help with scars... has anyone used this one for that use?

Accepted Answer

I used Vitamin E lotion (wish I'd had this oil too!) on a scar after having thyroid cancer - people don't even notice my scar!

Question 3

Is this pure vitamin oil

Accepted Answer

There's a copy of the label on the manufacturer's site here: http://images.vitaminimages.com/cdn/sd/pdf/L002791-RF.pdfThey have one ingredient listed: Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)

Question 4

Has anyone used this on your hair??

Accepted Answer

It’s the only thing that has helped  moisturize my 3c hair. It’s amazing! Helped stop breakage

ASIN	B00121PZZG
Customer Reviews	4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (4,084)
Date First Available	January 12, 2007
Item model number	NB002793
Manufacturer	Rexall Sundown, Inc
Product Dimensions	4 x 4 x 6 inches; 2.4 ounces

Sundown Calcium Magnesium Zinc, Pack of 3

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