| |
Red Palm Oil (Elaeis guineensis, dendê oil)
|
Palm oil is an edible plant oil derived from the fruit of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis.
Palm
oil is naturally reddish in color because of a high beta-carotene
content. It is not to be confused with palm kernel oil derived from the
kernel of the same fruit, or coconut oil derived from the kernel of the
coconut palm (Cocos nucifera). The differences are in color (raw palm
kernel oil lacks carotenoids and is not red), and in saturated fat
content: Palm mesocarp oil is 41% saturated, while Palm Kernel oil and
Coconut oil are 81% and 86% saturated respectively.
Palm
Oil and its liquid fraction, palm olein, are consumed worldwide as
cooking oils and as constituents of margarines and shortening. These
oils are also incorporated into fat blends used in the manufacture of a
variety of food products as well as in home food preparation. Palm Oil
is easily digested, absorbed and utilized in normal metabolic processes.
Like other vegetable oils, it is cholesterol-free. Having a moderate
level of saturation, it does not require hydrogenation for use as a fat
component in foods and, as such, does not contain trans-fatty acids. The
fatty acid composition of Palm oil is similar to that of the adipose
tissue in most people on an ordinary diet.
What is Virgin Red Palm Oil?
Red
(unprocessed) and red or golden (specially refined) Palm oils, the
major cooking oils in many parts of the world, are rich sources of
beta-carotene, an antioxidant and precursor of vitamin A and
tocotrienols, all of which have antioxidant properties. Palm Oil and
palm oil products are naturally occurring sources of the antioxidant
vitamin E constituents, tocopherols and tocotrienols. These natural
antioxidants act as scavengers of damaging oxygen free radicals and are
hypothesized to play a protective role in cellular aging,
arteriosclerosis and cancer. Natural Vitamin E derived from palm oil
does not promote the formation of plaques in the arteries. Palm oil
lowers the total blood cholesterol. A palm oil diet increases the
production of a hormone that prevents blood clotting.
Virgin
Palm oil is palm oil that is traditionally made and maintains the
natural nutrients of carotenes (precursors to Vitamin A) and the
antioxidant tocotrienols (Vitamin E). Typical RBD (Refined, Deodorized,
and Bleached) palm oil has these nutrients stripped from them resulting
in a clear oil. In its natural state, palm oil is red in color due to a
high concentration of carotenes and tocols. It is a traditional oil used
for more than 5000 years in African countries, where small-scale family
farms flourish. In non-tropical climates in cooler temperatures the oil
tends to be orange, like a carrot. Our Virgin Palm Oil comes from small
scale family farms in South America. These farmers are certified by
ProForest, which ensures that they meet strict social, environmental and
technical criteria. With regard to environmental criteria, the
assessments are carried out at the landscape and operational level at
both the farms and processing facilities. These assessments cover
environmental impact on the soil, water, air, biodiversity and local
communities. The lands the farmers use are not lands that were
deforested. The lands used to grow the palm fruit are lands previously
used for agricultural purposes (cattle, rice, banana).
Oils
and fats generally are susceptible to attack by atmospheric oxygen,
resulting in rancidity. Virgin Palm Oil contains tocols (Vitamin E)
which are powerful natural antioxidants. Therefore, it has exceptional
resistance to rancidity. Virgin Palm Oil is known for its excellent
stability at high temperatures.
Vitamin
E is one of the most important phytonutrients in edible oils. It
consists of eight naturally occurring isomers, a family of four
tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha,
beta, gamma and delta) homologues. While most Vitamin E supplements on
the market today are composed of the more common tocopherols,
tocotrienols are believed to be a much more potent antioxidant than
tocopherols. Tocotrienols are naturally present in most plants, however
they are found most abundantly in palm oil extracted from palm fruits.
Other sources are rice, wheat germ, oat and barley. It has been shown by
published research that alpha-tocotrienol is more potent than
alpha-tocopherol as a form of Vitamin E. Since tocotrienols are a form
of Vitamin E found less abundantly in nature than tocopherols, the
research on this super anti-oxidant is still recent and ongoing. It is
predicted that tocotrienols will become recognized as the new super
anti-oxidant in the very near future. Virgin Palm Oil is one of your
best sources for Vitamin E. Most Vitamin E supplements and skin care
products on the market today are soy-based.
Vitamin A nutrition: Carotenes from Virgin Palm Oil are Nature’s Abundant Source
In
nature, there are approximately 600 known carotenoids, ranging from
yellow orange to red hues and some 50 of these pigments possess vitamin A
activity of varying degrees. Virgin Palm Oil is one of the richest
natural plant sources of carotenoids with concentration of 500–700 ppm.
It has 15 times more carotenoids than carrots and 300 times more than
tomatoes. No other vegetable oil contains carotenoids in such
significant quantities. Analysis shows that alpha and beta carotenes
constitute approximately 90% of the total carotenoid content.
Note:
Vitamin A in its complete form is only available from fats in animal
sources, like our cod liver oil. Carotenes are what our bodies (if they
are functioning properly) use to convert to vitamin A. While animal
sources are a more readily available source of Vitamin A, Vitamin A can
be toxic at excessive levels, whereas carotenes are not. Therefore,
vitamin A toxic levels are not possible from consuming Virgin Palm Oil.
Virgin Palm Oil has a very high smoke point at about 425 degrees F.
Studies
show palm tocotrienols inhibit the growth of skin, stomach, pancreas,
liver, lung, colon, prostate, breast and other cancers. Most of the
research to date has been done with breast cancer where tocotrienols
show great promise. They not only prevent cancer from taking hold, but
also actively block its growth and initiate apoptosis- a process where
diseased cells commit suicide. This is a normal process that is
programmed into all of our cells in order to remove old and diseased
cells. However, in cancer cells this process is blocked and affected
cells continue to multiply and grow without restraint. Ordinary Vitamin E
does not induce programmed cell death in cancer cells. Only
tocotrienols have this effect.
The
antioxidant power of red palm oil has also shown to be of benefit in
protecting against neurological degeneration. Two of the most
significant factors that affect brain function are oxidative stress and
poor circulation
Red palm oil for skin composition.
Red
palm oil has a unique composition that makes it a perfect skin care
product. It contains huge number of valuable nutrients and vitamins that
not only keep the skin smooth and beautiful but also prevent its damage
and some diseases.
Vitamin E
Palm
oil is rich in vitamin E and its form known as tocotrienol. These
substances have powerful antioxidant activity which means, they fight
free radicals in our body and by that, prevent cell damage and certain
diseases, like cancer. Not only does vitamin E protect our skin but it
also has anti-aging effect by eliminating wrinkles and smothering skin
surface as mentioned on Mercola. Vitamin E contributes to proper blood
circulation which leads to more active cell regeneration and therefore,
the new healthy skin layers are formed faster. In addition, this vitamin
assists in smoothing and evening the skin and reducing or even
eliminating scars, burns and spots.
Vitamin A and carotenes
The
substance that gives red palm oil its deep color is carotene, which is
also found in carrots, tomatoes and peppers.As WebMd recommends,choose
colorful food for healthy skin! Our body converts carotenes in vitamin
A, which plays a very important role for our well-being and the health
of the skin. It directly affects the dermis – a layer, where collagen
and elastin vessels are. Thus, vitamin A promotes skin elasticity and
strength as well as blood circulation and cell regeneration. It also
repairs the damaged cell structure and has an ability to protect the
skin from UV damage.
Moisturizing and cleansing properties
Red
palm oil is well known for its high concentration of fats. However,
this is rather a benefit than a negative feature as palm oil hydrates
the skin and supplies it with essential fatty acids and necessary
nutrients. As well this oil has the fatting agent which helps to restore
the natural skin oil and thus keep it moisturized. Red palm oil is also
effective as a cleansing product, freeing the skin from dirt and excess
oil. Red palm oil can be applied either internally as a food supplement
or externally, in form of various soaps, creams or as mask or skin
treatment ingredient.
Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes
only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not
intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual
results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always
advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
|
|
