Dr. Oz praises palm oil for its tocotrienols, carotenes

Red palm fruit oil, a source of vitamin E tocotrienol and antioxidant carotene, received high praise on national tv via the Dr. Oz Show.

Sandy Almendarez, VP of Content

January 9, 2013

3 Min Read
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Dr. Mehmet Oz strikes again. This time, on his show, he called red palm oil perhaps the "most miraculous find of 2013." He said this oil is "a revolutionary new way to live years longer."

Bryce Wyld, alternative medicine expert, was Dr. Oz's guest, and Wyld said red palm fruit oil "delivers a one-two punch unlike any other nutrient or food out there." The one-two punch he referred to are two compound found in the oil:  carotene, "a super powerful antioxidant" and tocotrienols, "a special form of vitamin E that is very cardioprotective."  Wyld added, "You combine these two together and youre going to stop the aging process, protect the cells and all the tissues in the body."

Dr. Oz and Wyld explained palm fruit oil provides protection against age-related brain and heart diseases, arterial blockage and unhealthy level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Dr. Oz also mentioned a study that found subjects who took palm fruit oil reduced LDL cholesterol levels by 40% in one month. (However, I could not find that study, and couldn't find a reference in the article on palm fruit oil on his website.)

Tocotrienol suppler Carotech was excited that Dr. Oz touted palm fruit oil and called out the vitamin E compounds, according to WH Leong, vice president, Carotech Inc. "As mentioned in Dr. Ozs show, these phytonutrients especially the full-spectrum palm tocotrienol complex are proven by science to have significant unique health benefits such as protection against age-related neurodegeneration, heart, liver as well as skin health," he said.

Science

 A 2011 study found gamma-tocotrienol and alpha-tocotrienol reduced heart disease in a rabbits with high cholesterol. A 2007 study found daily treatment with tocorienols significantly improved cardiovascular parameters in patients with high cholesterol compared to placebo in all groups, significantly reducing total cholesterol (20% to 30%), LDL (19% to 27%), apolipoprotein B (21%) and triglycerides (24% to 3%).

And a recent article I wrote, "Heady hormones, vitamins and minerals" discusses six studies on tocotrienols' ability to reduce Alzheimer's-associated plaque and reduce stroke risk.

 "And we expect more new clinical trial results to be published soon which will further strengthen tocotrienols position as the super vitamin E," Leong added.

Carotene also has its fair share of research, mostly showing its benefits to skin health.

Palm fruit oil has more science backing than some of Dr. Oz's recent praised ingredients, such as raspberry ketones and garcinia, but time will only tell if palm fruit oil becomes as popular as those two weight-management ingredients.

While Dr. Oz likes to be hyperbolic in is praise (the terms "miracle," "holy grail" and  "revolutionary" are thrown around on his show), a company shouldn't fool itself into thinking it can make these claims about their products. A company can also not say Dr. Oz endorses its products (because he doesn't). Learn what a company can say in the article, "Navigating the Dr. Oz Effect" by PR pro Suzanne Shelton.

About the Author

Sandy Almendarez

VP of Content, Informa

Summary

• Well-known subject matter expert within the health & nutrition industry with more than 15 years’ experience reporting on natural products.

• She cares a lot about how healthy products are made, where their ingredients are sourced and how they affect human health.

• She knows that it’s the people behind the businesses — their motivations, feelings and emotions — drive industry growth, so that’s where she looks for content opportunities.

Sandy Almendarez is VP of Content for SupplySide and an award-winning journalist. She oversees the editorial and content marketing teams for the B2B media brands SupplySide Supplement Journal and SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal, the education programming for the health and nutrition trade shows SupplySide Connect New Jersey and SupplySide West, the education program SupplySide Fresh for industry newcomers and community engagement across the SupplySide portfolio. She is a seasoned content strategist with a passion for health, good nutrition, sustainability and inclusion. With over 15 years of experience in the health and nutrition industry, Sandy brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a content-focused business leader. With specialization in topics ranging from product development to content engagement, creative marketing and c-suite decision making, her work is known for its engaging style and its relevance for business leaders in the health and nutrition industry.

In her free time, Sandy loves running, drinking hot tea and watching her two kids grow up. She brews her own “Sandbucha” homemade kombucha; she’s happy to share if you’re ever in Phoenix!

Awards:

Speaker credentials

Resides in

  • Phoenix, AZ

Education

  • Arizona State University

Contact:

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