by Dr Rahim Said
When you think of palm oil, chances are your mind jumps straight to cooking — crispy fried chicken, golden pastries, and fragrant curries.
But what if I told you that inside this everyday kitchen staple hides a little-known health booster that’s quietly been winning the hearts of doctors and wellness experts alike?
Say hello to tocotrienols, the unsung heroes of the Vitamin E family — and Malaysia’s very own wellness secret.
Why Are Experts Talking About Tocotrienols?
At the Malaysian Palm Oil Forum Philippines 2025 in Manila last week, researchers, nutritionists, and industry players gathered to discuss how this humble nutrient is stepping into the spotlight.
Among them was Sherlyn Lim who claims research into tocotrienols’ health benefits are turning heads, not just for its promise, but for how long this miracle compound has been quietly working in the background.
“For over 25 years, tocotrienols have been used in supplements and functional foods — and the results we’re seeing now, especially for stroke recovery and liver health, are remarkable,” she shared.
What Can It Do for You?
The good news? Quite a lot.
Tocotrienols have been shown to:
• Help stroke patients recover faster by protecting brain cells and reducing inflammation.
• Support liver health, especially in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now one of the most common chronic conditions worldwide.
• Soothe itchy, inflamed skin for people suffering from eczema and atopic dermatitis, with some studies showing noticeable improvements in just a week.
• Guard against sun damage and skin aging caused by UVA exposure.
• Fight Vitamin A deficiency in children, using palm oil’s natural carotenoids — a cousin nutrient to tocotrienols — which are 15 times richer than those found in carrots.
In fact, programmes in South Africa and Honduras have already seen impressive results, adding fortified biscuits and oils into children’s diets to prevent the devastating effects of Vitamin A deficiency.
From the Plantation to Your Shelf
Right here in Malaysia, one company making strides in this space is Kunak Lipids, part of Sabah’s state-owned Sawit Kinabalu Group.
As one of the nation’s newcomers to tocotrienol industry, Kunak Lipids has been steadily expanding its presence at health forums and trade fairs across ASEAN.
“Kunak Lipids’ commitment to research-backed, wellness-oriented products is exactly the kind of innovation Malaysia should be proud of,” said one industry observer at the Manila forum.
Tocotrienols have long flown under the radar, but with mounting research and global health concerns rising, expect to see this nutrient finding its way into more supplements, skincare products, fortified foods, and even animal feed (fun fact: it makes egg yolks a richer, brighter colour too).
Why It Matters
In a world where wellness trends come and go, it’s refreshing to see a natural, homegrown ingredient getting its due — not as a fad, but as a proven, practical way to improve daily health.
The next time you pass the palm oil section in your supermarket, remember there’s more to it than meets the eye. And who knows? The secret to better brain health, glowing skin, and a stronger liver might just be in your pantry already.
WE