A GROWING public interest in personal health has ignited an argument about the importance of dietary fats in our daily lives. This topic has been controversial for more than five decades.
The controversy began with popular cheery-picked studies that suggested saturated fatty acids contributed to heart disease. It did not separate the types of saturated fatty acids which are vital since the human body – including that of all mammals and plants – makes saturated fatty acids.
More recent studies indict specific fatty acids and their association with some types of cancer. This overview will provide readers with fundamental medical and scientific information on the dynamic importance of palmitic acid, a natural saturated fatty acid, in health and disease, particularly some cancers.
Palmitic acid is naturally found in all plants, including vegetable oils. According to the USDA ((US Department of Agriculture) nutrient database, palm oil is one of the richest sources of palmitic acid by containing about 44% palmitic acid.
On the contrary, other oils such as canola oil (3.9%), sunflower oil (4.5%), palm kernel oil (8.0%), peanut oil (8.3%), coconut oil (8.6%), soybean oil (10.3%), corn oil (11.1%) and olive oil (12.1%) contain much lower amounts of this fatty acid.
Anti-cancer role
Palmitic acid is the most abundant saturated fatty acid in the human body; it makes up about 20-30% of all fatty acids.
The human body makes approximately 98% of palmitic acid whereas only about 2% is from dietary sources.
The biological importance of palmitic acid is illustrated by its essential role in maintaining the fluidity of cell membranes, supporting insulin sensitivity and contributing to lung function as a key component of lung surfactants.
Palmitic acid also plays a crucial role in growth and development. It is vital for neurological health, immune function and cellular signalling. Recent studies suggest that it may even be beneficial in promoting apoptosis – an anti-cancer mechanism that induces programmed cell death – thereby potentially limiting tumour growth.
A 2021 study suggested that exposure to palmitic acid might increase metastasis in tumour cell lines. However, upon careful and critical examination of this research, this study has significant limitations, including the use of in vitro and animal models and small sample sizes.
These limitations affect the reliability of the study’s findings and underline the need for caution before making broad conclusions about palmitic acid and its association with cancer in humans.
It is important to remember that human biology presents unique biological chemistry that is distinct from animals and does not necessarily translate to humans.
No cancer risk
More recent and robust studies show no direct link between dietary palmitic acid and cancer risk. Rather than fuelling fear, it is vital to consider the multi-faceted biological processes that influence cancer development which cannot be solely ascribed to one nutrient.
It is important for both the public and healthcare professionals to gain a well-informed perspective on palmitic acid’s role in human physiology and its broader implications for health.
We reiterate that palmitic acid is not only crucial to cellular and immunologic health. Moreover, it is also a major component of human breast milk by supporting infant development from the earliest stages of life.
The body produces palmitic acid naturally, demonstrating its importance across all mammals and plants. It is a vital substance for overall health and well-being of all living tissues.
Sustainable palm oil production which adheres to environmental standards contributes to both health and sustainability globally.
We also point out that the Malaysian palm oil industry has undertaken various initiatives to design, continuously improve and disseminate ecological activism at every level. We urge other palm oil producers to join in prioritising conservation.
Public health agencies, nutrition experts and consumers must approach dietary fats with a balanced perspective. Palmitic acid is a natural component of human physiology and is not an isolated dietary threat.
Current evidence suggests that when consumed as part of an isocaloric balanced dietary pattern, palmitic acid does not increase cancer risk and serves multiple vital bodily functions.
Further research is needed to distinguish between endogenous and exogenous sources of palmitic acid, thus enabling us to better understand its roles in health and disease prevention.
In conclusion, we emphasise the importance of basing dietary recommendations on well-established, high-quality scientific evidence.
This is contrast to isolated studies that are interesting but do little more than raise a question or hypothesis to be properly and rigorously explored in appropriately designed studies that may demonstrate relevance for humans. – Nov 25, 2024
Dr Roger Clemens from University of Southern California is the past president of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and a past president of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology while Dr Peter Pressman is an Adjunct Professor of Social Sciences in Medicine ay University of Maine.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
