Effects of dietary sesame seeds on plasma tocopherol levels

The tocopherols, the major vitamers of vitamin E, are believed to play a ro le in the prevention of human aging-related diseases such as cancer and hea rt disease, yet little is known concerning determinants of their plasma con centrations, Evidence from animal studies suggests that the dietary source of gamma -tocopherol can significantly affect plasma levels of this tocophe rol as well as its functional vitamin E activity. To determine whether plas ma levels of tocopherols in humans are similarly altered, a study was under taken in which subjects (n = 9) were fed muffins containing equivalent amou nts of gamma -tocopherol from sesame seeds, walnuts, or soy oil. We observe d that consumption of as little as 5 mg of gamma -tocopherol per day over a three-day period from sesame seeds, but not from walnuts or soy oil, signi ficantly elevated serum gamma -tocopherol levels (19.1% increase, p = 0.03) and depressed plasma beta -tocopherol (34% decrease, p = 0.01). No signifi cant changes in baseline or postintervention plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or carotenoids were seen for any of the intervention groups. All subjects consuming sesame seed-containing muffins had detectable level s of the sesame lignan sesamolin in their plasma. Consumption of moderate a mounts of sesame seeds appears to significantly increase plasma gamma -toco pherol and alter plasma tocopherol ratios in humans and is consistent with the effects of dietary sesame seeds observed in rats leading to elevated pl asma gamma -tocopherol and enhanced vitamin E bioactivity.