α-Tocopherol

α-Tocopherol is the most biologically active form of vitamin E, a lipophilic chain-breaking antioxidant that protects polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes and lipoproteins from peroxidation. Salivary α-tocopherol reflects the lipid-phase antioxidant reserve available to buffer the reactive oxygen species generated during exercise. Finaud et al. (2006) reviewed vitamin E among the key antioxidant defences determining the oxidative-stress response to training.