We now know that red palm oil contains the high concentration of palmitic acid (the saturated fatty acid). Palmitic acid is a well known cytotoxic agent against cancer cells. Saturated fats from animal and vegetable sources provide a concentrated source of energy in the diet; they also provide the building blocks for cell membranes and a variety of hormones and hormone like substances. They also enhance the immune system. At least with respect to cancer, plant-based sources of saturated fat are good for us. Palm oil, palm kernel oil and coconut oil are three of the few highly saturated vegetable fats. Of the tropical oils, coconut oil gets the most attention, while palm oil gets the mostly ignored….
Prostate problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasia (PIN), prostatitis and prostate cancer have been recognized as problems largely related to androgens (male sex hormones) and genetic factors. All men will develop prostate cancer if they live long enough. Prostate cancer is somewhat unusual, compared with other types of cancer. More than 95% of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, cancers that develop in glandular tissue. Male hormones such as testosterone are generally believed to be causatively associated with prostate cancer. We know that testosterone stimulates the prostate to grow. But, several recent studies show that a man’s susceptibility to prostate cancer may be influenced more by his exposure to the female hormone, estrogen, than to the male hormone, testosterone.
A small amount of estrogen (female sex hormone) is necessary …
One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that saturated fats increase the amount of bad cholesterol in blood. Cholesterol, however, forms part of the outer membrane that surrounds every cell. Cholesterol is used to insulate nerve fibres (and so make nerve signals travel properly) and make hormones, which carry chemical signals around the body. Without cholesterol, your body wouldn’t work – it’s vital to ensure the body’s normal function.
There are three main types:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): this carries cholesterol from the liver to the cells and, if supply exceeds demand, can cause harmful build-up of cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein (HDL): this takes cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, where it’s either broken down or excreted
Triglycerides: fats carried in the blood from the food we eat
Triglycerides and cholesterol are …
