2010/05/02
By Shanti Gunaratnam
The project's lead researcher, Prof Dr Yuen Kah Hay of USM's school of pharmaceutical sciences, said it was found that Vitamin E tocotrienols derived from palm oil reduced and eliminated white matter lesions associated with stroke.
White matter lesions are commonly seen in older people and those with a history of hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol as well as people suffering from dementia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
"We have seen this positive development in some of the volunteers during clinical trails," Dr Yuen said.
"Tocotrienols not only work for strokes but also lower cholesterol levels, fight cancer, anti-ageing and aid in a host of other diseases.
By Shanti Gunaratnam
KEBALA BATAS: Universiti Sains Malaysia and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board have come up with a supplement that may be able to help prevent strokes.
The supplement was developed together with a private company called Carotech Bhd.
Clinical trials are being conducted involving 400 volunteers at Kepala Batas Hospital and initial findings have so far been positive.
The project's lead researcher, Prof Dr Yuen Kah Hay of USM's school of pharmaceutical sciences, said it was found that Vitamin E tocotrienols derived from palm oil reduced and eliminated white matter lesions associated with stroke.
White matter lesions are commonly seen in older people and those with a history of hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol as well as people suffering from dementia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
"We have seen this positive development in some of the volunteers during clinical trails," Dr Yuen said.
"During a stroke, brain cells die but with tocotrienols, we noticed that the brains cells come back to life. Our clinical trials have shown that tocotrienols are neuro- and cardio-protective."
Tocotrienols, part of the Vitamin E family, are found in numerous natural sources, with oil extracted from palm fruit having the highest content of tocotrienols.
Stroke is the third major killer in Malaysia after cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Malaysia has more than 50,000 cases of stroke annually, with 3,300 fatalities. There is no known drug yet for stroke prevention.
The findings of the clinical trials is expected to be revealed early next year.
"Tocotrienols also lower cholesterol levels, but our focus is on stroke prevention. This is because there are already many statin drugs that improve blood cholesterol levels in the market. However, there is none for stroke," said Dr Yuen.
"We wanted to have multiple sites for clinical trials but the cost was too high. In the past three years, we received RM3 million in funding from the board to conduct research on a bigger scale."
Carotech Bhd managing director David Ho Sue San said once the findings were revealed, the supplement would be big news worldwide.
"People all over the world are looking for preventive and not curative medicine.
Tocotrienols, part of the Vitamin E family, are found in numerous natural sources, with oil extracted from palm fruit having the highest content of tocotrienols.
Stroke is the third major killer in Malaysia after cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Malaysia has more than 50,000 cases of stroke annually, with 3,300 fatalities. There is no known drug yet for stroke prevention.
The findings of the clinical trials is expected to be revealed early next year.
"Tocotrienols also lower cholesterol levels, but our focus is on stroke prevention. This is because there are already many statin drugs that improve blood cholesterol levels in the market. However, there is none for stroke," said Dr Yuen.
"We wanted to have multiple sites for clinical trials but the cost was too high. In the past three years, we received RM3 million in funding from the board to conduct research on a bigger scale."
Carotech Bhd managing director David Ho Sue San said once the findings were revealed, the supplement would be big news worldwide.
"People all over the world are looking for preventive and not curative medicine.
"Tocotrienols not only work for strokes but also lower cholesterol levels, fight cancer, anti-ageing and aid in a host of other diseases.
"So far, the data gathered has been encouraging. People should take the supplement because it does not have any side-effects compared with pharmaceutical drugs. Stroke prevention is a multi-billion dollar business worldwide."
Ho also said looking after stroke patients was costly for both hospitals and families.
"Some stroke patients are incapacitated for years and this can put a financial burden on families. In America, one person is brought down by stroke every second.
"Based on the sedentary lifestyle that Malaysians are leading, we, too, are heading in that direction."
Ho also said looking after stroke patients was costly for both hospitals and families.
"Some stroke patients are incapacitated for years and this can put a financial burden on families. In America, one person is brought down by stroke every second.
"Based on the sedentary lifestyle that Malaysians are leading, we, too, are heading in that direction."
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