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Benefits of Palm Oil
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MEDICAL & ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF PALM OIL
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BY: DR. PAUL FALLAH WANDALACHI NABIEU
Palm oil use goes back at least 5,000 years to ancient Egypt. It was regarded as sacred healing oil by the ancient Egyptians because of its tremendous health benefits.
It only became a truly global commodity over a century ago when its production took off in other parts of the world. Between 80% and 90% of palm oil production is destined for human food consumption either as frying and cooking oil or as an ingredient in a wide range of food products. The remaining 10% is consumed by various industries, from biodiesel to cosmetics and pharmaceutical products (soaps, toothpaste, waxes, lubricants, and ink).
In France and elsewhere, the use of palm oil in food preparation has been criticized because it contains saturated fatty acids which can increase unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels. However, palm oil is a healthier source of solid fats than hydrogenated vegetable oils

Economic Advantages
In 2011/12 palm oil contributed 32.7% of the world vegetable oil supply, the bulk of which (above 85%) was produced in Malaysia and Indonesia. In Indonesia palm oil generated $7.9 billion in exports in 2007, accounting for 13 percent of agricultural output, second only to rice. In Malaysia in 2008, palm oil exports accounted for $19.6 billion.

Chemical Composition of Palm Oil
Palm oil contains about 50 percent saturated fat (majority of which is oleic acid), 40 percent monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and 10 percent polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs). Palm oil gets its reddish color from the carotenes beta-carotene and lycopene, the same nutrients that give color to carrots and tomatoes. Its carotene levels are 15 times higher than carrots and 300 times higher than tomatoes. This is why palm oil is hailed as the best source of beta-carotene and alpha-carotene, both of which are precursors to vitamin A.
It also contains 20 other carotenes, as well as the following nutrients:
Vitamin E, particularly tocotrienol                         Vitamin K
CoQ10                                                                       Squalene
Phytosterols                                                              Flavonoids
Phenolic acids                                                         Glycolipids

HEALTH BENEFITS OF PALM OIL
  • Lessens Risk of Stroke
Numerous studies have revealed that red palm oil significantly reduces the risk of suffering an attack of stroke. For instance, in a study funded by the National Institute of Health, the risk reduction of stroke associated with red palm oil was found to be as high as 50%. Red palm oil confers this amazing effect in several ways.
First, by virtue of its anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties, it prevents and/or reverses plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) in the blood vessels of the brain which reduces the incidence of ischaemic stroke.
Apart from that, red palm oil has been shown to be the most important source of tocotrienol, an antioxidant which confers significant neuroprotection on the brain which is the reason why it's employed in the treatment of stroke patients.

  • Improves Heart Health
Red palm oil has been proven to enhance cardiovascular health in several ways. This beneficial effect has been largely attributed to tocotrienols and mixed carotenes found in ample quantities in fresh red palm oil. Unhealthy inflammation taking place within the blood vessels has been shown to be a necessary precursor for plaque formation and buildup (atherosclerosis) leading to increased peripheral resistance to blood flow and obstructing circulation to vital organs, especially the heart and brain.
Fortunately, the vast array of protective anti-inflammatory phytonutrients in red palm oil not only block but can also reverse the process of atherosclerosis and thereby offer protection from hypertension and heart attack.
  • Decreases Cancer Risk
Arguably the most potent anticancer nutrient known, tocotrienol in red palm oil blocks and mops up harmful free radicals and prevents them from causing oxidative injury to vital body organs. By this action, it fights against cancers of the breast, pancreas, liver, skin, stomach, colon and prostate. Moreover, apart from inhibiting cancer growth, tocotrienol also initiates apoptosis, a process that leads to a programmed death of mutated cancerous cells in the body
  • Improves Vision
Deficiency of vitamin A has been shown to be the leading cause of night blindness. However, red palm oil enhances the absorption of this fat-soluble vitamin in the intestines. Also, red palm oil is loaded with alpha- and beta- carotenes which are important precursors in the synthesis of vitamin A.  It's equally worthy of mention that some studies have linked red palm oil to a decrease in the incidence of cataracts and macular degeneration which are leading global causes of blindness.
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  • Protects from Degenerative Brain Disease
Neurodegenerative diseases of the brain like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and senile dementia can be kept at bay by making fresh red palm oil a regular part of your diet. It contains powerful antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and improve blood flow to the brain. Improved circulation to the brain delivers oxygen and glucose which are indispensable for brain functioning. Therefore, individuals with adequate regular intake of red palm oil are less likely to suffer cognitive impairments than others.

  • Improves Skin Health
Red palm oil in your diet can help you to maintain a healthy, supple skin. Tocotrienols and carotenes present in this oil accumulate in the epidermis of the skin and shield the largest organ in the body (that is the skin) from harmful ultraviolet rays. This may also explain why red palm oil has been linked to reduced risk of cancers of the skin.
 

 
So what's next?
 
Avail yourself of this cheap yet very valuable oil and enjoy the aforementioned benefits.
However, ensure that you opt for fresh Red Palm Oil and not the processed, halogenated oil that has lost most of its nutritional value and can only endanger your health.
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