Oil Palm: a functional food | Aceite de palma: alimento funcional

English. A functional food is one that contains one or various components that benefit the body functions or one that has physiological or psychological effects in addition to its nutritional contribution. In recent years, some phytonutrients, such as Vitamin E, have received a lot of attention from the scientific community due to their potential health benefits. Although the majority of Vitamin E supplements available in the market contain tocopherols, some studies have suggested that is analogous, the tocotrienols, are more effective antioxidants, they improve the immune system, and they project against some types of cancer, aging, and chronic illnesses. Palm oil is the most important natural source of tocotrienols (420-700 ppm). Presently, the commercial extraction of vitamin E from palm oil is primarily done in Malaysia. This article presents a revision of the dietary sources and physiological effects of tocotrienols, and it shows how these micronutrients could grant palm oil the category of functional food.

Spanish; Castilian. El presente artículo analiza algunos de los factores que afectan los precios de los aceites y grasas, los cuales incluyen la oferta/ producción y los inventarios de años anteriores. El análisis concluye que el precio para el 2001 llegará, en promedio, al que se registró en el 2000. El presente artículo analiza algunos de los factores que afectan los precios de los aceites y grasas, los cuales incluyen la oferta/ producción y los inventarios de años anteriores. El análisis concluye que el precio para el 2001 llegará, en promedio, al que se registró en el 2000.