Palm Oil for the Heart

A clinical study is under way to see if a Vitamin E compound found in palm oil can help stroke patients

TOCOTRIENOL may not be a familiar name to the public, but worldwide, scientists are looking to see how this natural Vitamin E, found abundantly in palm oil, may help stroke, cancer and diabetes patients.

In a two-year trial, Professor Chandan Sen from Ohio State University, United States, will determine whether supplementation of tocotrienols can reduce stroke-induced lesion volume, and/or stroke incidence, mortality and quality of life.

Sen is one of the recipients of the Malaysian government’s RM20 million investment, announced last November, to conduct six clinical trials seeking medical breakthroughs by using tocotrienols in palm oil.

In a telephone conversation recently, Sen says tocotrienols show “remarkable benefit against stroke” and if a patient takes tocotrienol, “injury to the brain is less if the patient suffers a stroke”.

Sen says he has completed a large animal study to see if oral intake of tocotrienols will deliver its benefits to vital organs. Currently, a clinical study involving 150 patients is under way to see if oral intake of tocotrienols is absorbed by the blood and delivered to vital organs such as liver and brain.

“There is no other plant in which tocotrienol is found more abundantly than in oil palm fruit,” he says. He adds that tocotrienol is even more potent than tocopherol, another natural Vitamin E compound found in olive and sunflower oils, and used widely in supplements and skincare.

Tocotrienols are known to reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reverse arterial blockage (carotid atherosclerosis), protect against ischemia or reperfusion heart injury, inhibit platelet aggregation, anti-cancer and suppress tumours, and is a potent natural antioxidant.

“In the United States alone, there are 700,000 stroke cases a year. Before a major stroke, patients often develop a mini stroke and we are interested to know if tocotrienols may help them sustain less injury when they get a major stroke,” says Sen.

The RM20 million investmentfrom the Malaysian government is in line with the country’s aim to expedite growth in food and health-based downstream segment, under the Palm Oil National Key Economic Area. Other clinical trials to be done under the budget are breast cancer tumour progression, colorectal cancer and prolonging the survival of patients with prostate cancer.

Two other projects seek to study the effects of tocotrienol on diabetes mellitus and ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactive disorder).

Potent goodness

THE next time you are buying cooking oil, consider palm oil. Here’s why:

CAROTENOIDS

These natural chemical compounds give crude palm oil its orange-red hue and make palm oil red in colour. Unrefined palm oil and crude palm oil are nature’s richest source of carotenoids as compared to other vegetable oils. It has 15 times more carotenoids than carrot and 30 times more than tomato.

The most active and important form of carotenoids in palm oil is carotene (beta-carotene), which has Vitamin A, an effective antioxidant to strengthen the body’s immune system and reduces the risk of certain diseases like cancer and heart disease.

VITAMIN E

The oil is rich in Vitamin E — tocopherols and tocotrienols. No other vegetable oil has as much Vitamin E. The vitamin is a powerful anti-oxidant, capable of reducing free radicals in the body. This means it may help to protect you from certain chronic diseases and delaying the ageing process. Latest research shows that the tocotrienol form of Vitamin E reacts more effectively than tocopherols.

TRANS-FAT FREE

Much has been said about trans-fat and how hydrogenated oil is more lethal to the body than saturated fat. Solid fats made from palm oil do not have to go through hydrogenation. Hydrogenation of oils produces trans-fatty acids (TFAs) which have been linked, by numerous scientific studies, to breast cancer, colonic cancer, and heart disease.

Many countries warn consumers against intake of TFAs. Some even regulate the content of TFAs in foods sold in the irrespective markets, underlining the growing recognition and concern over their negative health effects.

FOOD FATS

Fatty acids are raw materials for building the membranes of every cell in your body, including bones, nerves and brain. The micronutrients keep body cells healthy and functioning properly. You will be malnourished and become sickly or prone to infections if you do not have fats and oils in your diet.

BALANCED FAT RATIO

Palm oil has a balanced ratio of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. It contains 40 per cent oleic acid (monounsaturated fatty acid) and 10 per cent linoleic acid (polyunsaturated fatty acid).

Both are good fats that can help lower blood pressure it contains 45 per cent palmitic acid and five per cent stearic acid (saturated fatty acid).This composition results in an edible oil that is suitable for use in a variety of food applications.

Source: www.mpoc.org.my