Malaysian Palm Oil Council

Hero

Nutritional benefits of palm oil on the brain

NEUROPROTECTION BY PALM OIL:                                                                                                          

Along with other ways of nourishing and maintaining the health of the human brain, the protection offered by palm oil is commendable. 

Palm oil contains significant content of vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties. This antioxidant characteristic of Vitamin E helps reduce the activity of free radicals, which if not lowered, may prove harmful for the brain cells, i.e., neurons. 

The positive consequences of vitamin E on the human brain are mainly due to the presence of tocotrienols. Alpha tocotrienols possess neuroprotective properties. They easily reach the brain and maintain its normal action by enhancing cognitive functioning. The tocotrienols also improve the survival of brain cells.                                                      

NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE:                                                                                                           

The human brain contains high content of oxidizable lipids that need antioxidants for their defense. Vitamin E present in the crude form of palm oil hampers the expansion of two major brain diseases; ALZHEIMER’S disease and DEMENTIA… commonly known as memory loss. 

Alzheimer’s disease is mainly due to the deficiency of vitamin E in the cerebrospinal fluid of the patients’ brains. Improved cognitive function due to vitamin E helps reduce the progression of memory loss, i.e., dementia.                                                                                           

WHITE MATTER LESIONS ATTENUATION:                                                                                            

The human brain comprises white and grey matter. Sometimes abnormal myelination appears in the white region of the brain, which is termed as white matter lesions. The palm tocotrienols successfully halt the progress of white matter lesions (WMLs).                        

REDUCE BRAIN STROKE: 

Brain stroke is a condition in which some part of the brain cannot get sufficient blood supply. Therefore it results in halting the normal brain working, the condition technically termed as CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT. 

Palm tocotrienols are proved to be advantageous in preventing brain stroke by lessening plaque formation in arteries and lowering cholesterol levels.                                                                                                                         

AMELIORATES BRAIN HEALTH:                                                                                                                  

The presence of high content of polyunsaturated fatty acid harms the human brain. This enhances the risk of oxidative stress that causes the death of neurons. Tocotrienols, a lipid-soluble antioxidant, lessen this oxidative stress and assist healthy brain functioning.                        

GLUTAMATE INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY:                                                                                 

Glutamate is a neurotransmitter released by neurons with hyperactivity of glutamate level resulting in cell demise. Agitation of some chemicals gives rise to an abnormality called glutamate-induced toxicity. 

This abnormality is inhibited by vitamin E alpha tocotrienols abundantly found in palm oil. Glutamate-induced toxicity is treated in the same way, i.e., by reducing oxidative stress.                   

CONCLUSION:                                                                                                                                             

The surprising benefits of palm oil in human life speak for themselves without getting noticed. It plays a remarkable role in human life, ranging from adding nutritional benefits to edibles to working as a pharmaceutical agent for the human body. The uses and impact of palm oil on the human body, including the brain, are worth giving credit to. 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *