30/9/2005 (Business Times) - Malaysia's palm oil has received a boost fromthe medical world with a recent discovery that palm tocotrienol (vitaminE), which is a palm oil extract, may help prevent stroke.

Ohio State University Medical Centre vitamin E researcher ProfessorChandan K. Sen said there is scientific evidence of tocotrienol's strokeprevention properties.

"Even short-term dietary intake of palm tocotrienol is readily absorbed bymajor organs such as the heart, brain, lungs and skin.

"In the past, other forms of dietary tocotrienol did not manage to reachmajor organs and dampened research of the vitamin E as a dietarysupplement," Chandan told reporters in Bandar Sunway, Selangor, yesterday.

Chandan made the announcement in conjunction with the Malaysian Palm OilBoard (MPOB) and the on-going International Palm Oil Congress (PIPOC 2005)themed "Technological Breakthroughs and Commercialisation".

Vitamin E is a family of related compounds known as tocopherols andtocotrienols which are linked to health benefits. These would includereducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, boosting immunesystems and acting as anti-oxidants.

"With this discovery, what is needed now is for the Malaysian Government,MPOB and other agencies to align resources to distribute this scientificfinding to the people. Science cannot go to the people withoutcommercialisation," said Chandan.

Palm tocotrienol is currently extracted under patent by Carotech Bhd andmarketed by its parent Hovid Bhd under the brand name Tocomin.

Chandan conducted the study funded by a research grant in excess of US$1.2million (US$1 = RM3.77) from the National Institute of NeurologicalDisorders and Stroke of the US which is a division under the NationalInstitute of Health.