The Impact of Palm Oil on Human Health - Research Paper Example

Section/# Palm Oil and Human Health: A Legislative Review and Analysis As knowledge relating to health and medicine continues to increase, the way in which consumers reflect the changes in health knowledge and scientific discoveries has a profound impact with respect to how nutrition is understood and how certain foods are leveraged or avoided. The following discussion will be primarily concentric upon the impact of all oil on human health; as well as issues pertaining to existing scientific research, legislation, and the likelihood that the overall representation of palm oil as a substitute for trans fat will continue to be represented in the immediate future. Table of Contents - Introduction - Literature Review of Scientific Studies - Legislation - Power players - Conclusions - Recommendations for legislation - Recommendations for managers -References Introduction: Over the past several decades, scientists and medical researchers have come to understand that certain types of the fact are an order of magnitude more damaging to human health as compared to others. The presence of a single bond to another molecule can differentiate an otherwise “healthful” fat molecule as compared to one that is deemed unhealthful. For instance, examining scientific literature and public opinion of only several decades would reveal a situation in which few individuals were aware of the differing impact that saturated, unsaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans fats could have on human health and the overall exhibition of disease. However, with the dramatic change in technology and an explosion in scientific inquiry and resolves concerning the way in which the human body operates, the differentials between these different types of fat have come to be known and largely appreciated. The issue is of importance for two specific reasons. First of these is obviously the fact that the human body requires a certain percentage of fact as a function of continuing operation and promoting a healthful lifestyle. Whereas it is invariably true that most individuals within the developed world exhibit too much fat within their diets, the need and necessity for healthful fat is a requirement that all individuals share. Accordingly, a secondary reason for this topic be of importance has to do with the degree and extent to which the legislative process seeks to define that which is healthful as compared to that which is not. Essentially, nations around the globe have come to appreciate the fact that trans fats are extraordinarily destructive to human health; with some even going so far as to ban them out right from the food chain. As a function of the progression area understanding of human health and its determinants, individuals, as well as entire governments have sought out alternatives for trans fat that had otherwise been a staple of many edible goods. And exemplification of this, as well as the overall scope of the problem, can be seen with respect to the fact that trans fats are found in almost all hydrogenated oils. Within such an understanding, the representation of trans fat within such foods as French fries, margarine, shortening, virtually all types of fried foods, pies, pancakes, fried chicken, cake mixes and batters, popcorn, biscuits, cookies, chili, and pudding (Al-Obaidi et al., 2014). Naturally, the aforementioned list only provides a brief and cursory overview of some of the most common foods that contain high levels of trans fats. As medical and scientific discovery have revealed that trans fats directly contribute to a litany of negative health outcomes within the life of the patient, a frantic rush to replace these trans fats with alternatives has been underway over the past several years. Both from a supply side and from a governmental standpoint, requirements have been put into place that specify that trans fats should be phased out or stopped entirely (Akanda, 2012). Not surprisingly, one of the best known replacements for trans fats is palm oil. Within such an understanding, the preceding analysis will be concentric upon the way in which Paul oil is beneficial or harmful to human health, relying upon existing scientific inquiry as a means of proving such a point, analyze existing legislation, indicates the power players, and draw conclusions as well as recommendations based upon the information that has been provided. Within such a dynamic, it is the hope of this particular author that the reader will gain a more informed and pertinent understanding of the many factors that have contributed to the rise of palm oil and whether or not this particular replacement should continue to be leveraged in the future or, like its predecessor trans fats, or whether it should eventually be phased out. Existing Scientific Studies into the Efficacy and Health Impacts of Palm Oil: As the rush towards utilizing palm oil instead of trans fat has created a rapid increase in the demand for this particular substance, the scientific community has also been pressed to conduct frenetic research into the impacts of palm oil on human health. One such study, performed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) indicated that palmitic acid, comprising a total of 44% of the volume of a set measure of palm oil, has been demonstrably proven to raise corresponding levels of cholesterol within the body. With such an understanding in mind, the researchers indicated that palm oil could very well have a determinate impact upon contributing to factors relating to heart disease or stroke. However, even with the dire warning provided by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, it is necessary to note that nearly all forms of fat have a demonstrable impact upon the overall levels of cholesterol that are exhibited within the blood. With this in mind, even “healthful” forms of fat and also been linked to an increase in blood cholesterol levels; potentially corresponding to the likelihood of an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Yet, it must also be understood that even with this potential increased risk, no definitive evidence had yet been given which links palm oil with an increased chance of heart attack and stroke. Instead, the corresponding correlation that has been noted by this, and subsequent studies is contingent on the fact that palm oil has a known and definitive relationship with an increased production of cholesterol levels within the body (Bainbridge, 2014). It was not until 2005 the definitive evidence with respect to palm oil and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease came to the forefront of medical research and understanding. According to a 2005 study conducted in Costa Rica, it was indicated that replacing existing levels of palm oil within the diet of an individual with polyunsaturated and/or non-hydrogenated oils has a direct and demonstrable impact on reducing the overall risk of heart attack (Ali et al., 2014). The underlying reason for Costa Rico being chosen as a case in point was necessarily due to the fact that individuals within Costa Rico exhibited an increased intake of palm oil; as compared to others. Drawing inspiration from the results of the coastal regions study, further medical studies conducted in 2011, 2012, and 2013 indicated that reducing an individual’s intake of palm oil by 1 kg annually had a profound impact upon the overall risk of death from cardiovascular issues or illnesses exhibited within the individual test subjects. For instance, one of these studies denoted with the fact of the matter was that for each kilogram of palm oil added to the diet of an individual, the overall incidence of death from cardiovascular disease and/or heart attack jumped from 28 out of 100,000 to 68 out of 100,000 (Bessou et al., 2014). Yet, it should not be understood that the information derived from scientific and medical studies is all negative with respect to palm oil. Instead, a 1993 study, published by the United Nations, did not indicate any demonstrable increase in overall cholesterol levels as a direct result of an increased uptake in palmitic acid. However, a distinctive caveat to this study was provided in the fact that the inclusion of palm oil within the diet of an individual was not likely to have an impact upon overall levels of bad cholesterol; unless the individual experienced a diet that had over 400 mg of cholesterol a day. As researchers within the World Health Organization and the United States National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute came to indicate that palm oil had a potential for negative impacts on health, not unlike many other forms of fat, the consumer, as well as many different stakeholders within nutrition and societal health came to see palm oil as an unsafe substitute for hydrogenated oils that had recently been caught up in such a flurry of negative press attention and scientific inquiry. As more research came to pile in with respect to the potential negative long term health impacts of palm oil, a shift in public opinion came to be seen. According to a 2006 study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, it was concluded that palm oil is not a “safe” substitute for trans fats. The underlying rational that was given was contingent upon the fact that palm oil creates an adverse blood concentration of LDL and apolipoprotein B; in an almost identical manner to the way that trans fat does. Yet, part of the greater problem has to do with the fact that palm oil is being compared to an impossible standard. As many medical researchers have indicated, an increase in the overall amounts of fat represented within the diet has a corresponding negative representation alongside the overall health of the individual or group that is being analyzed. According to such an understanding, researchers have pointed to the fact that even though palm oil might have demonstrably proven negative impact upon human health, when compared alongside other alternatives, palm oil does not come out nearly as bad. Essentially, this is a realistic and commonsense point of view (Misron et al., 2014). Any type of oil, or fact for that matter, when ingested beyond the point of human need, is almost invariably likely to cause corresponding problems with respect to raising cholesterol levels and damaging the overall health of the organism. Yet, if one compares palm oil to animal fat or other saturated fats, palm oil is notably less harmful; taken on aggregate. For instance, one particular study conducted in 1996 indicated that certain types of fat exhibit different metabolic patterns as compared to others. As such, the overall rate of absorption and retention that palm oil exhibits, as compared to cocoa butter, coconut oil, animal fat, and/or other types of fats is notably lower. This equates to less of the fat being absorbed by the body and metabolized; thereby correlating with a decreased risk to overall health commensurate with the level of palm oil that is ingested. As stipulated previously within this assignment, within many parts of the developed world, the overall rate of fat within the human diet is unfortunately much too high. Likewise, with this in mind, it should be understood that even though palm oil has been shown to have negative health impacts, as compared to other forms of known fats, it is still much more healthful and less damaging to the overall health of the human being (Nyquist et al., 2013). Further scientific studies have indicated that palm oil generates 10 times the amount of energy that it consumes (Alaneme et al., 2014). This proves to be a positive impact with respect to the health of the individual that consumes it and would otherwise live a healthy lifestyle. Additional research indicates that palm oil is beneficial to the economic well-being of a region; in that it represents a potential to earn 3000 dollars per hectare farmed; as opposed to the expected earnings of around 100 dollars per hectare of traditional agricultural land usage (Rida et al., 2014). Research has also indicated that the high level of antioxidants found in palm oil provide a tangential benefit to the overall health of the individual; at least as compared to the other forms of oil or fats that have been provided within the food chain (Kim Hoong et al., 2014). Not surprisingly, the high level of antioxidants helps to fight against different types of cancers and has been widely recognized as a beneficial cornerstone in the provision of overall health (Uusitalo et al., 2014). As such, the potentially harmful effects of palm oil, in terms of the increased levels of cholesterol and the potential increased chances for cardiovascular disease, must be countered with an understanding of the fact that the disproportionately high level of antioxidants found in palm oil essential counteract many of these negative impacts and promote the overall health and longevity of the patient; at least with respect to protecting against a litany of different types of cancers. An additional benefit to palm oil that researchers have come to understand is based on the fact that palm oil does not lose any of its nutritional benefit when it is heated to cooking temperatures. For instance, traditional oils and other types of fat quickly break down when heated to cooking temperature; thereby rendering many of their positive benefits essentially worthless (Edwards et al., 2014). However, palm oil is not subject to this; by nature of its molecular construction. Likewise, beyond the issue of human health, palm oil also stands to benefit from the fact that it serves as an excellent bio-fuel. As such, even as the potential for palm oil to be restricted for use within consumer markets of food might be exhibited, the use of palm oil for alternative functions still retains a salient purpose. However, drawbacks to palm oil have also been exhibited within the scientific literature analyzed. For instance, the negative impact on the environment coupled with the fact that many of the poorest regions of the world are responsible for producing the lion’s share of palm oil creates a dynamic by which stakeholders must be aware of the ethical considerations and constraints facing palm oil producing in the coming years (Bhore et al., 2014). Additionally, as palm oil plantations clear thousands of hectares of virgin forests each and every year as a function of expansion and the need to create more and more oil, the possibility of these natural forests to reduce the levels of CO2 that are exhibited within the atmosphere and exchange this CO2 to oxygen are necessary diminished exponentially (Rusbintardjo et al., 2014). Legislative Action and the Requirements on Palm Oil within the Current Market: Whereas there has been no call to ban palm oil from the human diet, the European Union passed a legislative resolution in 2011 which stipulated that all oils, inclusive of palm oil, represented within food products must be clearly denote within the labeling/ingredients (Masani et al., 2014). The underpinning legislation, denoted as (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011), has effectively been implemented throughout the European Union and has been the source of inspiration for other nations around the globe to implement similar laws (Villela et al., 2014). However, with that being said, there remain no prohibitions on the use of palm oil as a trans fat substitute in any nation. Instead, nations such as Australia have sought to follow in the footsteps of the EU and require food manufacturers to indicate whether or not palm oil, or any other oil or fat, is utilized within the production of any food substance (Adewuyi et al., 2014). Additionally, legislation within the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia is aimed at creating a more sustainable environment for palm oil production. A root cause for the introduction of such legislation is contingent upon the fact that each and every year hundreds of square miles of tropical rainforests are destroyed as a function of establishing palm oil plantations (Chan et al., 2014). With a seemingly ever increasing demand for this resource, economies of scale have created a situation in which a handful of extraordinarily powerful companies now control the majority of the market and vast swaths of rain forest. The issue is so profound that nations around the globe have come to criticize the way in which this process is taking place and consider the long-term ecological and environmental ramifications that the continual deforestation of virgin territory could otherwise effect (Felzenszwalb et al., 2014). Interestingly enough when one researches and analyzes the existing legislation, and proposed legislation with respect to palm oil, the lion’s share of this research is contingent upon legislative processes that are concerned with reducing the overall environmental impact that the production of palm oil creates. The Spectrum of Public Opinion: In terms of public opinion with regard to palm oil, it must be stated that the majority of individuals represented within scientific research on the topic are of the belief that palm oil, although an imperfect substitute, is still an order of magnitude more beneficial to human health and well-being as compared to the derivatives of hydrogenated fats; namely trans fats. Whereas there are many determinants of this public opinion, the most likely determinant has to do with the fact that palm oil is inherently viewed as natural (Montoya et al., 2014). Although this identification may be somewhat misleading, due in part to the processing that is required of palm oil prior to it being introduced into the food chain, the identification has nonetheless stuff and provides a continuing demand for palm oil (Abrahama, 2014). Whereas much criticism has been directed at palm oil and its potential health impacts over the past several years, one of the fastest growing markets, that of Asia, appears to indicate that the future of public opinion concerning palm oil is quite bright. For instance, whereas health concerns are relevant within the Asian market, the negative interpretation of palm oil and its health impacts is virtually non-existent (Sabeti et al., 2014). By much the same token, whereas other regions and governments have created legislative constraints with respect to the future that this agricultural substance might exhibit, the Asian markets have not. This promotes a situation in which neither governmental intrusion into supply and demand nor concerns for the overall healthfulness of the product are likely to greatly impact upon the exhibition of future consumer engagement within the very near future (Dungani et al., 2014). Furthermore, whereas stakeholders within the Western world have been uniquely concerned with the sustainability of palm oil production and the means by which vast swaths of existing virgin rainforest are oftentimes destroyed to make way for greater palm oil production, a cursory review into the Asian market reveals no underlying concerns with respect to the potential for damage that palm oil is wreaking on the environment. This does not indicate that individual consumers within Asian markets do not exhibit a concern for the environment as such; instead, it merely indicates that other more pressing concerns of a domestic variety contribute to product identification and public opinion (Santos et al., 2013). Political and Economic Influences: As might be expected, the profusion of interest and the widespread profitability that the sale of palm oil was responsible for creating effective a situation in which a handful of companies came to be extraordinarily well; you in part to their holdings of palm oil plantations around the globe. For the most part, these plantations were exhibited in parts of West Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia (Wich et al., 2014). Nevertheless, the economic impact of a shift towards the production of palm oil and away from the production of traditional hydrogenated oils that were high in trans fats created an entirely new economic sphere; where only a small one existed previously. Although there is not any direct evidence as to this being the case, the analyst can reasonably infer that the power of the palm oil industry has grown commensurate with demand. Not unlike the power of the energy lobby or any other lobby that represents the interests of an extraordinarily wealthy group of individuals or corporations, it would not be unreasonable to assume that the power of palm oil owners and their interests, represented in the form of lobbies, is far greater than most individuals might expect as a function of this political power, such a lobby would have the potential to impact upon the way in which legislation is crafted and the degree and extent to which the industry is impact (Harsono et al., 2014). Although something of a conspiratorial assertion, from the information that has thus far been engaged, it is likely that the palm oil industry has had a powerful role in seeking to reduce the overall level of exposure that the industry might face in terms of negative legislation based upon potential health concerns or existing medical knowledge. Returning to the issue of Asian consumers and the market for palm oil products, it must be understood that most individuals within Asian markets are faced with health concerns exhibited within their food supply that far outweigh the health concerns posed by palm oil (Abraham et al., 2014). Thus, these issues dwarf concerns related to the potential health drawbacks that palm oil might be responsible for denoting with regard to human health (Zhong et al., 2014). Additionally, many Asian governments have placed a primary financial stake in the development and success of the palm oil industry. This further complicates the role of “public opinion”; as many scholars and analysts have indicated that such “public opinion” might be skewed by the government’s share of financial interest within the given market and/or the degree or extent to which the government also controls the press and any issuance of negative news with respect to palm oil and health impacts might necessarily be viewed as less than positive to the long term financial interests that the government may have (Prasanth Kumar & Gopala Krishna, 2014)). As with any economic analysis, the factors of analyzing supply and demand alone are not sufficient towards defining the market. Instead, understanding the unique determinants of economic decision making and any potential constraints within the market that might exist are also a fundamentally important issue to broach (Abdul Aziz et al., 2014). As such, the means by which vested economic interests with respect to palm oil help to differentiate certain markets from others is of essential and fundamental importance. Inference Drawn on Future Prospective and Likely Outcomes: In terms of general conclusions, it is the estimation of this particular analysis that the situation regarding legislation and further political action in terms of restrictions on palm oil are all but assured. The rational for making such a predication is based upon the general trends that have been exhibited over the past several years in terms of foods that have been determined to be unhealthful. Likewise, it should also be understood that the powerful lobbies that represent palm oil growers will continue to exert extraordinary pressure upon the legislative process around the world to ensure that palm oil and its demand remains on an upward trajectory (Ngott-Chin et al., 2014). However, in terms of expectation for the future of a component of the food supply that has been proven to represent potential negative consequences, it does not appear as if a positive result is to be expected. Likewise, the potential for change and the likelihood that palm oil will be cast in a negative light, in much the same way that trans fats have been in the past, is ultimately contingent upon the way in which future technology is represented and the rate at which it is adopted into the food chain. For instance, in the eventuality that there is not another reasonable and safe alternative for palm oil within the immediate future, then it is likely that this particular substance will continue to be represented; at least as a function of replacing trans fats and other hydrogenated oils (Rahman et al., 2014). However, in the event that a breakthrough in technology reveals a novel way to utilize existing agricultural resources to produce a safer alternative, then the future of palm oil is likely doomed. Recommendations: In terms of what the law should be, it is the interpretation of this analysis that the current law is reflective of the levels of risk and known dangers that palm oil exhibits. Ultimately, all fats represent a risk to human health; when eaten in excess. As such, changing the law to prohibit, limit, or otherwise restrict the profusion of palm oil within different food products would be senseless; due to the fact that other known fats also have the same potential to damage overall human health and increase the risk of cardiac issues. With this fact understood, seeking to limit the exhibition of palm oil within diets around the globe would not necessarily promote overall health; as substitutes that are equally as destructive; if not more. Likewise, in seeking to define the law based upon what this analyst believes it should be, it is the understanding of the researcher that the existing law is already sufficient to protect the health interests of the consumer. Moreover, burdensome legal constraints with regard to what people can eat and what they cannot do not serve an effective purpose in safeguarding the health of the population. As has recently been exhibited within New York, the involvement of the government in terms of nutrition and health is oftentimes hated. As such, the recommendation of the analysis would be for governments to recognize the fact that palm oil is not a direct threat to the health and quality of life. Recommendations for Managers: Based on the information that has been presented above and based upon the likelihood that the legislative process will continue to constrict the degree and extent to which palm oil is represented within the market, the food service industry must begin ascribing to a different paradigm. As has been noted, even though the danger of a palm oil ban or restrictions is an ever present reality, the food service industry does not operate based upon projections for the long term future. Instead, they operate based upon immediate concerns such as the cost of ingredients or any requirements that the government might direct towards them (Srivaro et al., 2014). With this in mind, the recommendations that this analysis makes towards food service managers is to maintain the status quo and to keep a watchful eye on trends that might be exhibited in the industry There is a direct need to maintain a watchful eye on the changes that might be exhibited; as these will serve as a warning for impending change and encourage food service industry managers to make decisions based upon these inputs. With a sudden breakthrough in nutritional science, it is possible that a substitute for palm oil could be introduced to the market. At such a point in time, it will be necessary for food service industry managers to engage with these changes; rather than ignore them. As with any industry, the need to remain relevant is directly tied to the need to remain on the cusp of developments within technology and business. References Abdul Aziz, A., Manaf, L., Man, H., & Kumar, N. (2014). 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Effects of linseed oil and palm oil on growth performance, tibia fatty acid and biomarkers of bone metabolism in broilers. British Poultry Science, 55(3), 335-342. doi:10.1080/00071668.2014.891097 Read More