Supplement Godfather

Q. I heard Dr. Oz plug palm oil as a healthy fat, but isn’t palm oil a saturated fat? Does it really have any good benefits?

A. Yes, palm oil does provide saturated fats, but one specific type of palm oil, the undenatured red type, can provide a host of health benefits!

Red palm oil originates in Africa but is also found in Southeast Asia and South America. It’s derived from the fruit of the oil palm (the Latin name is Elaesis guineensis), which is the same part from which regular palm oil is extracted. The big difference? Red palm oil is less processed and is able to maintain its characteristic dark red colour due to high concentrations of carotenes and nutrients. The processing to produce regular palm oil actually strips out all the carotenes and nutrients, thus leaving most health benefits by the wayside.

Red palm oil is packed with carotenes and in fact contains the highest dietary source of provitamin A carotenoids (beta-carotene and alpha-carotene). In addition, it provides more than 20 other carotenes and includes vitamin E, vitamin K, coenzyme Q10, squalene, phytosterols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and glycolipids. Its ability to provide carotenoids together with tocotrienols (vitamin E) has proven a vital role in boosting the immune system and preventing chronic diseases.

These are likely some of the reasons that Dr. Oz is touting this as one of the healthiest oils to cook with. For the best red palm oil, look to purchase a cold-processed version that is deep red in colour. This ensures that it has been minimally refined and contains all of the health-promoting ingredients. If you can find an organic version, even better!

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