In the show’s January 3, 2013 episode, Dr Oz and his guest, Bryce Wylde, recommend red palm oil particularly for its palm tocotrienol, a novel form of vitamin E found in the palm fruit. On his show Dr Oz called the red palm oil as the “most miraculous find of 2013”.
Power-Packed Contents
Red palm oil’s health promoting properties are largely attributed to its high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory contents. Red palm oil is a rich source of tocotrienol, a powerful form of vitamin E, lycopene and carotenoids, the latter being responsible for the oil’s distinctive red color in its unprocessed state.
Red Palm Oil and Cardiovascular Health
Red palm oil has repeatedly stunned researchers with its heart-protective and cholesterol-lowering properties. Studies have shown that adding palm oil in the diet can reduce plaque build-up in arteries and, therefore, reverse the process of plaque and prevent blockages formation within blood vessel walls. Science now understands that inflammation in the artery lining is what causes cholesterol to deposit in the first place. So, it makes sense that the protective effects come from the high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory content of the red palm oil which works to quench free radicals and keep inflammation under control. Apart from helping tear away plaque from blood vessel walls, red palm oil also helps maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Red Palm Oil and Brain Health
Alpha-tocotrienol, one of the natural vitamin E forms found in high amounts in red palm oil is known for its neuro-protective properties. Studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have shown that alpha-tocotrienol can help reduce the effects of stroke by 50%. When it comes to your brain, the special form of vitamin-E (tocotrienol) in red palm oil stops destructive damage and improves blood flow to brain cells, which can also help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Oil Palm Fruit (Eleais guinensis)
Red Palm Oil as Anti-Cancer Food
The high antioxidant content of red palm oil makes it a potent anti-cancer food. Though tocotrienols can be found in rice bran, barley and wheat, red palm oil is the richest source of tocotrienol. Research suggests that this form of vitamin E may help fight skin, stomach, pancreas, liver, lung, colon, prostate, breast, and other cancers.
Other Health Benefits of Red Palm Oil
Research is showing that the antioxidant power of red palm oil can be of help in protecting against a variety of health problems, including osteoporosis, asthma, cataracts, macular degeneration, arthritis, and liver disease. It can even slow down the premature aging processes by protecting the skin against damaging UV rays.
Additionally, research has shown that red palm oil promotes nutrient utilization, improves liver detoxification pathways and improves immune function.