less active species, thereby protecting against oxidative damage to cells. Red palm
oil is rich in β-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A important in the visual process,
regulation of cell division, enhancement of immune response, lung development,
genetic regulation and differentiation of cellular epithelium (Kritchevsky 2000;
Oguntibeju et al. 2009; Scrimshaw 2000). Crude palm oil is one of the richest
sources of vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols) (Table 6.5). Vitamin E acts as
potential antioxidants and protects cellular membranes from free radical catalysed
lipid peroxidation. Palm oil is the only vegetable oil which contains appreciable
quantities of tocotrienols. Tocotrienols have been reported to be natural inhibitors of
cholesterol synthesis, promote anti-thrombotic state by reducing platelet aggregation
and modulating prostanoid synthesis and prevent some forms of cancer (Edem 2002;
Morales-Gonzalez 2018; Sailo et al. 2018; Peh et al. 2016).
6.5.1 Reduced Risks of Arterial Thrombosis
and Atherosclerosis
Globally cardiovascular diseases have been reported to be one of the leading causes
of death. Blood plasma cholesterol levels are affected by the degree of saturation,
chain length of dietary fatty acids and their effect on the synthesis, processing and
catabolism of plasma lipoproteins. Saturated fatty acids and cholesterol when consumed in high amounts in the diet are found to be associated with a high incidence of
blockage of arteries and injuries involving both atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
Also, the quality and quantity of fat present in the diet is a major aspect involved
in the regulation of blood pressure and incidence of hypertension (Edem 2002).
Few reports testing palm oil in animals for atherosclerosis claim that palm oil
does not promote atherosclerosis. In the Netherlands, palm oil was tested in a rabbit
model; it was fed in the diet for over 1.5 years and was observed to induce the least
atherosclerosis as compared to fish oil, olive oil, linseed oil and sunflower oil
(Klurfeld et al. 1990). Another research studied the effects of palm oil and compared
them with that of cottonseed oil, coconut oil and an American fat blend made from
tallow, lard, butterfat, salad oils, peanut oil, corn oil and shortenings in a rabbit
model. At the end of 14 months of feeding, it was observed that rabbits fed with
coconut oil were observed to have the highest aortic lesions. The effects of palm oil
were considerably lower than coconut oil and similar to those of edible oils. This
confirmed the fact that consumption of palm oil at 32% of fat energy did not increase
chances of atherosclerosis (Chong and Ng 1991).
6 Palm/Palm Kernel (Elaeis guineensis)
153
oil is rich in β-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A important in the visual process,
regulation of cell division, enhancement of immune response, lung development,
genetic regulation and differentiation of cellular epithelium (Kritchevsky 2000;
Oguntibeju et al. 2009; Scrimshaw 2000). Crude palm oil is one of the richest
sources of vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols) (Table 6.5). Vitamin E acts as
potential antioxidants and protects cellular membranes from free radical catalysed
lipid peroxidation. Palm oil is the only vegetable oil which contains appreciable
quantities of tocotrienols. Tocotrienols have been reported to be natural inhibitors of
cholesterol synthesis, promote anti-thrombotic state by reducing platelet aggregation
and modulating prostanoid synthesis and prevent some forms of cancer (Edem 2002;
Morales-Gonzalez 2018; Sailo et al. 2018; Peh et al. 2016).
6.5.1 Reduced Risks of Arterial Thrombosis
and Atherosclerosis
Globally cardiovascular diseases have been reported to be one of the leading causes
of death. Blood plasma cholesterol levels are affected by the degree of saturation,
chain length of dietary fatty acids and their effect on the synthesis, processing and
catabolism of plasma lipoproteins. Saturated fatty acids and cholesterol when consumed in high amounts in the diet are found to be associated with a high incidence of
blockage of arteries and injuries involving both atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
Also, the quality and quantity of fat present in the diet is a major aspect involved
in the regulation of blood pressure and incidence of hypertension (Edem 2002).
Few reports testing palm oil in animals for atherosclerosis claim that palm oil
does not promote atherosclerosis. In the Netherlands, palm oil was tested in a rabbit
model; it was fed in the diet for over 1.5 years and was observed to induce the least
atherosclerosis as compared to fish oil, olive oil, linseed oil and sunflower oil
(Klurfeld et al. 1990). Another research studied the effects of palm oil and compared
them with that of cottonseed oil, coconut oil and an American fat blend made from
tallow, lard, butterfat, salad oils, peanut oil, corn oil and shortenings in a rabbit
model. At the end of 14 months of feeding, it was observed that rabbits fed with
coconut oil were observed to have the highest aortic lesions. The effects of palm oil
were considerably lower than coconut oil and similar to those of edible oils. This
confirmed the fact that consumption of palm oil at 32% of fat energy did not increase
chances of atherosclerosis (Chong and Ng 1991).
6 Palm/Palm Kernel (Elaeis guineensis)
153