In food, vitamin E has 8 different members, but in supplements, only one is predominately used. This Dementia study shows the value of consuming ALL the vitamin E family members rather than just using the alpha tocopherol member, the only one allowed vitamin E units or even to be called vitamin E by US GOVERNMENT edict, AND the only one found in over 95% of Multiple Supplements.  Yes, a few products do list the other tocopherol E family members, but the potencies are rarely given and are usually not significant unless adequate amounts are stated somewhere on label.

Copied next to prevent loosing link (copied material in "italics" as well as reference links, mostly also in red and underlined):

J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;20(4):1029-37.

High plasma levels of (certain) vitamin E forms and reduced Alzheimer's disease risk in advanced age.

Mangialasche F, Kivipelto M, Mecocci P, Rizzuto D, Palmer K, Winblad B, Fratiglioni L.

Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. francesca.mangialasche@ki.se

Abstract

In this study we investigated the association between plasma levels of eight forms of vitamin E and incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) among oldest-old individuals in a population-based setting. A dementia-free sample of 232 subjects aged 80+ years, derived from the Kungsholmen Project, was followed-up to 6 years to detect incident AD. Plasma levels of vitamin E (alpha-, beta-, gamma, and delta-tocopherol; alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienol) were measured at baseline. Vitamin E forms-AD association was analyzed with Cox proportional hazard model after adjustment for several potential confounders. Subjects with plasma levels of total tocopherols, total tocotrienols, or total vitamin E in the highest tertile had a reduced risk of developing AD in comparison to persons in the lowest tertile. Multi-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were 0.55 (0.32-0.94) for total tocopherols, 0.46 (0.23-0.92) for total tocotrienols, and 0.55 (0.32-0.94) for total vitamin E. When considering each vitamin E form, the risk of developing AD was reduced only in association with high plasma levels of beta-tocopherol (HR: 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.99), whereas alpha-tocopherol, alpha-tocotrienol, and beta-tocotrienol showed only a marginally significant effect in the multiadjusted model [HR (95% CI): alpha-tocopherol: 0.72 (0.48-1.09); alpha-tocotrienol: 0.70 (0.44-1.11); beta-tocotrienol: 0.69 (0.45-1.06)]. In conclusion, high plasma levels of vitamin E are associated with a reduced risk of AD in advanced age. The neuroprotective effect of vitamin E seems to be related to the combination of different forms, rather than to alpha-tocopherol alone, whose efficacy in interventions against AD is currently debated.   -end of copy

Analysis: WOW! People with the highest levels of ALL the vitamin E family forms had a reduced risk for Alzheimer's. Most of the reduction was from Beta tocopherol and not from Alpha tocopherol by itself, the only needed vitamin E form according to the US Government. Plus add this little tidbit fact to this result; Consuming high dosages of just alpha tocopherol actually reduces the blood levels of the other "E" family members arriving in food, including Beta tocopherol. ref  ref  ref

This above reference is so important that two lines are copied here to impact their significance:

BACKGROUND: High intake of vitamin E from food ("mixed" tocopherols), but not from supplements (which mostly contain "only" alpha-tocopherol), is inversely associated with Alzheimer disease. ("inversely" means less disease with greater body levels of food supplied vitamin E family)

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that various tocopherol forms rather than alpha tocopherol alone may be as important if not more in the vitamin E protective association with Alzheimer disease. -END COPY  Another current ref

Another research article on the Vitamin E Family and Alzheimer's. Plus check out this action, about the tocotrienol four E members. ("At nanomolar concentration, alpha-tocotrienol, not alpha-tocopherol, prevents neurodegeneration"). ref

Vitamin E can increase beta-amyoid? (VITAL FACT NEXT) 

This next reference shows that vitamin E tocopherols can increase beta-amyoid levels. Since beta-amyoid levels are increased in AD patients, this is viewed as a negative. This reference will help clear up this catch 22, benefits should overpower this risk. It shows when gamma tocopherol is low, alpha tocopherol will increase beta-amyoid levels, but not when gamma tocopherols levels are adequate.* Plus, this might indicate that vitamin E levels have a narrow window of optimal benefits with relationships to anti-oxidant load balance. One way vitamin E (tocotrienols) benefits AD is that it lowers cholesterol levels which also decreases beta-amyoid production from oxidized cholesterol.

SIDEBAR: This next reference is vital to the above vitamin E actions on brain health. It shows a form of vitamin A that deals with keeping beta-amyoid in check as well as limiting DNA damage. ref

VITAMIN REVELATION: The above Vitamin E FACT NEGATES THE MAJORITY OF VITAMIN E RESEARCH AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ERRORS IN USA GOVERNMENT VITAMIN THEORIES. Since supplement vitamin formats and formulas are based upon these theories and research, the majority of them are faulty.

*Remember that supplements of only alpha tocopherol vitamin E can suppress or limit gamma tocopherol levels coming in with food, as well as other vital vitamin E family members.

CRITICAL: The fact that Vitamin E has controversial and opposing actions really cements the precautionary approach to taking supplements. LOW DOSAGES often represent the most appropriate usage to stay within tolerances of nutrient interactions and functions to balance opposing activities. For vitamin E family actions, one way is most likely the point of antioxidant load balance to protect fats against excessive oxidation. ref

Almost Everything E can be found here.

How insidious is the Government's vitamin E definition from the 1940's of not including all the vitamin E family in determining vitamin E activity units? Does the Government's stance in some way contribute to or promote Alzheimer's disease since their definition is largely used in developing vitamin E Supplements that only have alpha tocopherol? There are a few Brands with tocopherol complexes but they are very slow movers since the Public is not getting the "real" natural vitamin E family story. 

USEFUL TIPS:  Take a complete Tocopherol complex with limited d'alpha tocopherol and take a separate Tooctrienol complex 50 mg. at a different time since they both use the same absorption pathway and could interfere with each other. In fact, vitamin E at higher dosages also interferes with vitamin K absorption too. And remember, taking just alpha tocopherol vitamin E as found in most supplements, might reduce the blood levels of the other tocopherols arriving from food at the same time. THIS IS ONE REASON WHY THE AVAILABLE MULTIPLES IN THE MARKET PLACE MAY NOT BE THAT HEALTHY. They almost all only have isolated alpha tocopherol vitamin E without any other E family members. When you add a separate vitamin E complex with a multiple, pick a multiple with the lowest E units to again avoid getting too much alpha tocopherol. Exact ratios for optimum health are not yet known.

Against COLON CANCER 

CHECK OUT this research and especially this one on colon cancer that shows some greater effects from Gamma tocopherol than just vitamin E as alpha tocopherol. Only a few supplements are available with Gamma E and the other three tocopherol E complex members, exhibiting a lack of Public awareness on this value. Look at the dates of these studies, 8 years ago. How much longer do you think Vitamin Science and Nutritionists can look the other way on this one?

NEED MORE EVIDENCE

This reference study not only shows greater cancer inhibition from natural Gamma, it reveals that natural alpha tocopherol not only does not have these effects, it might block the gamma positive effects. The natural form of alpha tocopherol attached to an ester did show the same positive effects as gamma tocopherol. Interestingly, the synthetic form of alpha tocopherol also shows positive effects and is blocked by natural alpha tocopherol as well. More on the mechanisms at play here soon, but the synthetic form is still not recommended for daily nutritional functions.

US Preventive Services Task Force on Vitamin E and CVD

Here is the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Report on Vitamins and Cardiovascular health. It is not very favorable for vitamins. BUT, Some very interesting vitamin E facts revealed. Remember, synthetic E has less than half the effects of the same amount of natural for some parameters, and most if not all of these studies only used isolated alpha tocopherol, many the synthetic form, which is missing powerful influences on cardiovascular activities, especially cholesterol control from other vitamin E members. Plus, higher amounts of just supplemental alpha tocopherol reduces the absorption of the other vitamin E members arriving in food. This study should seal the deal. Read the Conclusion. Don't you agree? Ok here is one more.

SIDEBAR: The Task Force report also talks about beta carotene. The corrrect conclusion should be that the synthetic Beta carotene form used in almost all studies does not work by itself. But, not tested, what if any positive effects would come from the use of all the natural forms of beta carotene plus other added family members. Synthetic beta carotene is just all-trans form while nature has all-trans and 9-cis forms. Nature often gives some members of a family a certain function not given to all creating a vital synergism where they protect each other from different attack pathways. They are stronger together than just one fractionated and isolated nutrient. The 9-cis beta caortene form converts in the body to the 9-cis retinoic acid which activates RXR. It is RXR that is combined with vitamin D activated VDR to complete vitamin D functions at the cellular level. The all-trans form only works with RAR but not RXR. 9-cis form works with both. See this article. There is a chance that the all-trans form converts into the 9-cis or the 13-cis forms. But probably best not to rely on this conversion happening to supply proper amounts, especially if carotinoids overall are low from not eating enough vegetables and fruits.

CONVERSION of Beta Carotene Forms

It is known that the ALL-TRANS and 9-CIS forms of beta carotene can convert in the body into the other form when needed. A Researcher wanted to test the rates of conversion of each form and measure blood levels. First, beta crotenes were eliminated form the diet and levels measured. After taking only the 9-cis BC form, the blood plasma levels soon showed that the ALL-TRANS form increaed 50%. But when only the ALL-TRANS form was given, the 9-cis percentage in blood plasma later was only up 10%. A valid reason was discovered for these results. The 9-cis form is cleared from the blood quicker and deposited into tissues while the AA-TRANS from remained in the blood. The ALL-TRANS form does not like to give up it's ALL-TRANS form as readily as the 9-cis form converts to ALL-TRANS. Nature may have a valid reason for this level of conversions. Since there are supplements that contain both forms, it makes sense to allow nature to deal with needed conversions to maintain both needed form levels at their optimum function levels. ALL-TRANS form must be more important in the blood while 9-cis is needed more in certain tissues. ref

Another conversion takes place in the body for the forms of beta carotene. All-Trans Beta Carotene and 9-Cis Beta Carotene convert into All-Trans retinoic acid and 9-Cis retinoic acid. These forms are part of Vitamin A. In their beta carotene forms, All-Trans is more active and dominate, but in their retinoic forms, 9-Cis is 10 times more active. Interesting!

WHY IS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WITHHOLDING THIS VITAL STORY FROM THE PUBLIC? 

To continue with vitamin E science, go to this article.