**4.2 Prevention of obesity**

Obesity is not only a clinical problem, but also a public health concern. A deeper assessment of obesity requires a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach with complementary knowledge of molecular, clinical, bioinformatic, and syndemic frameworks that affect the underlying mechanisms and factors that have resulted in the current epidemic of obesity [33].

Strong evidence exists that weight loss reduces blood pressure in both overweight hypertensive and non-hypertensive individuals; reduces serum triglycerides and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and generally produces some reduction in total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol [34]. A variety of effective options exist for the management of overweight and obese patients, including dietary therapy approaches such as low-calorie diets and lower-fat diets; altering physical activity patterns; behavior therapy techniques; pharmacotherapy; surgery; and combinations of these techniques. In this chapter, red palm oil is being proposed as treatment regimen for obesity prevention.

#### **4.3 Red palm oil in obesity prevention**

The oil palm tree (*Elaeis guineensis*) from the family Arecaceae is a high oil-producing agricultural crop. Palm oil is available in different forms, which include crude or red palm oil and refined palm olein (refined PO) [35]. Despite the contentious issues surrounding dietary fats, they are considered essential nutrients because they are required to perform critical functions in the body including serving as a carrier of preformed fat-soluble vitamins, enhancing the bioavailability of fat-soluble micronutrients and providing essential substrate for the synthesis of metabolically active compounds (such as the steroid hormones, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone) among other useful functions. These benefits of fats notwithstanding, diets that are high in fat are strongly associated with an increased prevalence of obesity and an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and certain types

#### *Role of Red Palm Oil in Male Obesity and Infertility Prevention DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98393*

of cancer [36]. RPO consumption's effects on health are still debated. Two of the most important edible oils in the sub- Saharan Africa, are coconut oil and palm oil. Along with palm kernel oil, they are often referred to collectively, as the tropical oils and are typically known to be rich in saturated fats [36]. According to Boateng and co-workers [37], RPO contains α, β and γ carotenes, phytosterols such as sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol. These lipophilic sterols are easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, and then converted through a series of enzymatic reactions into cholesterol, which is a major precursor of steroid hormones. A moderate use of palm oil is likely to be beneficial for blood lipid profiles. The RPO rich vitamin E, composed mainly of tocopherols and tocotrienols act as potent antioxidants that make it relatively stable to oxidation. Both animal and human studies show that tocotrienols could reduce plasma cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, thromboxane B2, and platelet factor IV. They could also inhibit or delay the oxidative deterioration of cellular membranes. The benefits of RPO to health include a reduction in the risk of arterial thrombosis and/or atherosclerosis, inhibition of endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis, platelet aggregation, a reduction in oxidative stress and a reduction in blood pressure. It has also been shown that dietary red palm oil, taken in moderation in animals and humans, promotes the efficient utilization of nutrients, activates hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes, facilitates the hemoglobinization of red blood cells and improves immune function [7]. All the above-mentioned as well as hyperlipidemia and hypertension are underlining conditions that characterize obese male.

In a systematic review on animal intervention studies, Syarifah-Noratiqah et al. [38] concluded on the evidence that palm oil and palm olein possess high potential as lipid-lowering agents. In another study on pharmacological potential of Oil Palm Phenolics (OPP), Syarifah-Noratiqah et al. [39] also concluded that individual components of OPP (Caffeoylshikimic Acid (CFA), p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, Protocatechuic Acid (PCA) and Hydroxytyrosol, have unique pharmacological potential including neuroprotection, anti-cancer, cardioprotection and hypolipidemic effects. Single or in combination of all three phenolic acids into one OPP liquor would produce high pharmacological potential OPP liquor for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical market. OPP extracted from bio-wastes of oil palm industry would provide an opportunity to transform a biowaste burden into a range of potential applications for health and wellness.
