Palm oil is a rich source of
antioxidants, especially Vitamin E. While the health benefits of Vitamin
E are widely known, less widely known is the fact that Vitamin E is a
complex of many constituents broken into two groups: tocopherols (alpha,
beta, gamma and delta) and tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta).
And while alpha tocopherol is the form most commonly marketed as
Vitamin E, the full spectrum of both tocoperols and tocotrienols are
required for optimal assimilation.
The super-antioxidant tocotrienols are
particularly important for optimal health. These natural antioxidants
act as free radical scavengers and are believed to play a protective
role in cellular aging, atherosclerosis, cancer, arthritis and
Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers now believe that the
tocopherols and tocotrienols together provide constituents that help
limit damage during a heart attack.
RPO not only supplies fatty acids
essential for proper growth and development, but it is packed with an
assortment of vitamins, antioxidants and other phytonutrients important
for good health.
For instance, the red colour comes from
carotenes such as beta-carotene and lycopene – the same nutrients that
give tomatoes and carrots and other fruits and vegetables their rich red
and orange colours.
Carotenes are valuable nutrients and
powerful antioxidants. They are also important because the body can
convert them into Vitamin A, an essential nutrient.
Vitamin A deficiency can cause
blindness, weaken bones, lower immunity and adversely affect learning
ability and mental function.
“Vitamin A is only found in animal
foods. Such foods are too expensive for many people. Carotenes in fruits
and vegetables can supply the needed Vitamin A if an adequate amount of
fat is also consumed. Carotenes require fat for conversion into Vitamin
A. Unfortunately, those who cannot afford animal products often do not
eat much fat either.
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