THOUGHTS – Palm Oil in the Cancer Spotlight

NATURE, a high impact, prestigious peer reviewed science journal, published a landmark study last week (10 November 2021) that could help trigger advanced developments in cancer management. The joint publication was from Spanish and US biomedical researchers, in a mice animal model. For the understanding of our lay readers, the study described how cancer metastasis (i.e. when cancer cells break away from the main tumour and start spreading to other organs and sites) is facilitated by consumption of certain dietary fatty acids, particularly palmitic acid, that is part of our daily diets.

Media hounds were quick to pick this up, particularly since they saw the fall guy from the study, a low hanging fruit, ripe and ready for a thorough public bashing. Palm oil was used as a primary source of palmitic acid and by extrapolation and simplification of the study, headlines screamed that palm oil with its higher palmitic acid content was a cancer promoter.

Tocotrienol rules boost: Malaysia’s pending health claims will be beneficial in driving consumer awareness

Malaysia’s pending approval on palm tocotrienol’s antioxidant claims could help consumers gain a better understanding of the locally grown crop’s health benefits. There are 2 proposed claims: 1) TRF is an antioxidant and may help to reduce oxidative stress and 2) TRF may help to improve cognitive function. To make these claims, a product would need to contain 10mg/100g of solid TRF and 10mg/100ml of liquid TRF.

Vitamin E deficiency symptoms: The warning sign of ‘oxidative stress’ that you can feel

VITAMIN E requires fat from the diet to be properly absorbed, verified Dr Juditch Marcin. However, certain diseases can severely reduce the absorption of fat in the first place, leading to a nutrient deficiency.

What is topical vitamin E used for?

Vitamin E is an essential vitamin that should be consumed in the diet in adequate amounts to promote optimal health outcomes. However, it is also used in some cosmetics and topical skin care products. What is topical vitamin E, what is it used for, and are there any side effects?

Vitamin E May Save Dental Enamel from Erosion, Study

SAO PAULO, Brazil: Researchers at the University of São Paulo have found that Vitamin E could protect dental enamel against erosion.

Daniela Rios and colleagues found this association by assessing the in-vitro effect of different components of palm oil on enamel in a short-term erosive challenge. To conduct a study, they use bovine enamel blocks treated with the solutions described in the results below separately and then immersed in citric acid. The following results have been analysed, which lead to the finding.

Vitamin E may help protect dental enamel against erosion, study finds

The acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) was previously formed in situ for 2 h. Subsequently, the bovine enamel blocks were treated i vitro according to following solutions: G1- palm oil; G2- 85% tocotrienol solution; G3- oily vitamn E; G4- oily vitamin A; G5- deionized water (negative control); G6- stannous-containing solution (positive control).

The author concluded that ”Vitamn E presented similar preventive effect to a commercial mouthwash stannous-containing solution against initial erosion, and it can be considered as a promising alternative for the formulations of solutions aiming to prevent erosive tooth wear”.

Malaysian Red Palm Oil: The Lesser Known Premium Cooking Oil

Have you ever heard of Malaysian Red Palm Oil (RPO)? Over the years, while great attention has been given to regular golden palm oil, many have overlooked or have not been aware of the presence of nutrient-dense RPO.

The underrated antioxidant to hydrate weak, brittle nails

When it comes to nails, one has to be careful with the type of nail polish they put. A high-quality liquid is important and protecting the nails from becoming soft is certainly vital for its growth.

es, as much as your skin needs hydration from time to time, even your nails need to be moisturised to keep them healthy and shiny. The one ingredient that is an antioxidant that protects your cuticles is vitamin E or moisture-rich tocopherol, which is a fat-soluble vitamin. It helps to even out the nail plate (the hard part of the nail).

Vitamin E Latest Facts: Sources, Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and Recommended Doses

There are many vitamins that are important for the functioning of our body, and they all play an important and diverse role. Vitamin E is clearly one of them. Here you will find everything you need to know about it: Benefits, indications, recommendations, etc.

Water-soluble vitamin E compounds directly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication and synergize with remdesivir

Researchers in the United States have shown that water-soluble derivatives of vitamin E (α-tocopherol) exhibit potent antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Kevin Harrod from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and colleagues found that the compounds synergized with the antiviral drug remdesivir to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) – an enzyme that is crucial for transcription and replication of the viral genome.