Definition of "alpha-tocopherol" [alpha-tocopherol]

• An alcohol, C29H50O2, obtained from wheat germ oil or produced synthetically, and exhibiting the most potent vitamin E activity of the tocopherols. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "• Vitamin E, also known as alpha-tocopherol, is found in olive oil, almonds and many other nuts and seeds, wheat germ, and soybean products."
• "Another important finding was that alpha-tocopherol and selenium protected against prostate cancer only when gamma-tocopherol intake was high."
• "Chances are it contains alpha-tocopherol alone; if so, look for a brand that contains mixed tocopherols which includes alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol with a high gamma relative balance."