Consumption of palm oil improves human reproductive capacity, a Clinical Biochemist and Molecular Diagnostics Professor, Oluyemi Akinloye, has said.
Akinloye, Head, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, spoke in an interview in Lagos.
According to him, palm oil shows an amazing promise in improving male fertility potential.
“Palm oil is produced from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) which is originated from tropical Africa and now spread to most parts of the world.
“Throughout history, palm oil has served as the primary source of dietary fat. Its nutritional and healing properties have been recognised for generations.
“Until modern medicine arrived, palm oil was the remedy of choice for several illnesses in many parts of Africa.
“Palm oil is virtually regarded as power house of nutrition, containing by far, more nutrients than any other dietary oil.
“Palm oil is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin E which contains a super potent form of known as tocotrienol,” Akinloye said.
He said that palm oil is the only vegetable oil with a balanced composition of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in both processed and unprocessed forms.
“It contains carotenoids, phosphatides, sterols, tocopherols and trace metals shown to be effective against oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo.
“Palm oil is regarded among many as essential in the diet for the pregnant and nursing mothers in order to ascertain good health of the mother and child.
“Studies show that adding palm oil into the diet can double or triple the amount of vitamin A in mother’s milk.
“Palm oil helps maintain proper blood pressure. The high antioxidant content of the oil quenches free radicals and keeps inflammation under control,” Akinloye said.
