Role of oil palm trunk fiber as a potential functional food to be discussed at FASEB conference

01/04/05 New research surrounding oil palm trunk fiber will be presented as part of a panel presentation entitled "Dietary Fiber, Fruits, Vegetables and Grains I" at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) conference on Monday, April 4, 2005.

Alex Schauss Ph.D., will spearhead discussion surrounding the role of oil palm trunk fiber as a potential functional food and highlight the fiber's numerous health benefits, including its ability to promote glucose metabolism in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Gene Spiller Ph.D., a world-renowned fiber expert, will be moderating this panel which covers the wide-ranging role fiber plays in health and wellness.  Other panel members include James Anderson MD, Peter Ellis Ph.D., Karen Lapsley Ph.D., Monica Spiller M.S. and John W. Finley Ph.D.

Oil palm trunk fiber is extracted from the oil palm, a tree indigenous to West Africa.  Oil palm trunk fiber, oats, barley, beans, fruit, psyllium and some vegetables contain significant amounts of both water-soluble and water-insoluble fiber, and are the most desirable sources of soluble fiber. Currently, the National Cancer Institute recommends individuals consume 20 to 30 grams of dietary fiber per day.

Oil palm trunk fiber is superior to other forms of fiber not only because of its ratio of soluble and insoluble fiber, but its ability to survive colonic fermentation, increase fecal bulk and maintain its capacity to retain water.  Additionally, it has unique antioxidant properties due to its unusually high in-vitro oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value.  Oil palm trunk fiber helps in managing and lowering risk of diabetes, colon cancer, heart disease, obesity and constipation and diarrhea.  The properties of this fiber may make it a valuable addition to foods and dietary supplements.

SUKHE International, based out of Selangor Daru Ehsan, Malaysia is funding the ongoing research surrounding oil palm trunk fiber.  The company develops and supplies dietary supplements and ingredients derived from oil palm trees, including oil palm trunk fiber.  SUKHE International uses a patented process for extracting the trunk fiber, which allows the company to produce oil palm trunk fiber of the highest quality and purity.