The benefits offered by tocotrienols in health and diseases must be accompanied by a relatively good absorption of the compunds into the bloodstream by the gastrointestinal tract. Poor absorption will result in poor bioavalaibality, thus consumers will not be able to obtain the optimal benefits that tocotrienols can provide. Lipid materials, including tocotrienols are ferried across the intestinal wall into the bloodstream by micelles.
Micelles are only present when lipases and bile salts are produced.
The bile help emulsify fat-soluble materials to provide them with greater surface area so as to enhance absorption into the bloodstream. Dietary fat must be sufficient in amount for adequate secretions of the lipases and bile. Therefore their absorption in the bloodstream will be erratic, especially when taken in fasted condition. The consistency of bile and lipase secretions in between doses also plays a major role in determining the extent of absorption. Despite these shortcomings, a new system has been designed to provide an optimum absorption of tocotrienols to its users.