by Kalyana Sundram, Ph.D.
The oil of palm fruit (Elaeis guineensis) contains several phytonutrients or bioactives that have been found to confer significant health-improving characteristics. Three main bioactives, palm mixed tocotrienol complex (vitamin E), palm mixed carotenoids and palm phenolic compounds, have emerged as novel ingredients in current functional foods, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals markets.
Natural palm vitamin E extract is typically made up of 78-percent tocotrienols and 22-percent tocopherol. It is present at concentrations ranging between 600 to 1000 ppm in palm fruit oil.
More than 200 published research papers show palm mixed tocotrienol complex has far greater health benefits than the regular alpha-tocopherol vitamin E in protecting against degenerative diseases.
In a recently published double blind, placebo controlled human trial, oral supplementation of bioenhanced palm tocotrienol complex in the form of softgel capsules at 300 mg/d showed significant reduction (compared to baseline) in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by the fourth month in hypercholesterolemic human volunteers.1 Only negligible and non-significant changes in cholesterol levels were observed in placebo subjects.
Further, research studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and led by Prof. Chandan Sen of Ohio State University Medical Center showed palm tocotrienol can reach brain cells and has the ability to reduce damaging effects of stroke in brain.2,3,4,5 The potential of stroke prevention by natural palm tocotrienol is exciting, since palm tocotrienol is a natural vitamin E that does not lead to unwanted side effects. Prof. Sen and his team are now planning a human clinical trial for the stroke prevention effect of palm tocotrienol.
Other studies have also found palm tocotrienol complex is effective in boosting immune response in human after receiving vaccination.6 Other human clinical trials are aimed at evaluating the efficacy of palm tocotrienol complex supplementation in neuroprotection, cardioprotection and skin wound healing.
The content of tocotrienols in Western diets is only at trace levels, at best. Hence, it is practically impossible to obtain tocotrienols through diet alone. Palm mixed tocotrienol complex has received a no objection letter from FDA for GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status, and it is now possible to incorporate palm sourced tocotrienol complex in everyday foods, such as cereal, fat spreads, soup mixes, etc., to deliver its health benefits.
Palm Mixed Carotenoids
The vibrant red-orange color of oil palm fruits is imparted by carotenoids. The main carotenoids in palm fruits are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, gamma-carotene and lycopene, which is similar to the carotene makeup of carrots. These are potent antioxidants and important nutrients required for maintaining well-being and preventing the onset of certain diseases.
Both alpha- and beta-carotene are precursors of vitamin A; the body stores these to be converted into vitamin A when there is a need or to maintain optimum physiological levels. Vitamin A deficiency is still a common issue in women and young children living in developing countries. Several studies, especially those using red palm oil rich in carotenoids, have shown using palm fruit oil in preparing food can significantly reduce the occurrence of vitamin A deficiency.
Palm mixed carotenoids have also been shown to be effective in protecting the cardiovascular system; reducing the photoaging effects of UV-rays on skin; and inhibiting certain cancers.
Palm mixed carotenoids are well-accepted in the food and beverage industry as a natural colorant. It is widely used in the fat- and dairy-processing industry to standardize the color of margarine, butter, ghee, cheese and edible oil. It is used as a natural colorant in confectionery and convenience foods, such as candies, gums, crackers, sauces, cookies and pastries. It is also widely used to replace synthetic colorants in the beverage industry. Palm mixed carotenoids complex is also self-affirmed GRAS. Besides its application as a natural food colorant, palm carotenoids complex has also been used in dietary supplements, functional foods and beverages, as well as cosmeceutical products.
