Palmitic Acid Synthesis, Where to Find Palmitic Acid, Palmitic Acid Properties
Palmitic acid is in the group of saturated fats, and fatty acids such as stearic acid are often notorious for their health effects. However, it is necessary to include these fats in the nutrition program in reasonable amounts. Because fat is an essential macronutrient and has many functions. {one*}
Some saturated fats in the nutrition program generally support cognitive, hormonal and metabolic health. However, there is also the potential to consume too much of this type of fat. If a person often has an unhealthy diet and does not have a very active body, he may produce more palmitic acid (PA) than the ideal amount . This potentially leads to higher risks for conditions such as cardiovascular disease and obesity.
What is Palmitic Acid?
Palmitic acid is described as a common saturated fatty acid found in a variety of oils and waxes, including refined olive oils, palm oil, and body lipids (oils). Palmitic acid is also referred to by a number of other names, including 1-hexyldecanoic acid, hexadecanoate, and palmitate . Palmitic acid (PA) is a long chain fatty acid containing 16 carbon atoms. PA is the first fatty acid produced during lipogenesis (fatty acid synthesis). It is naturally found in animals (including humans) and some plants. Because it is a fatty acid, coconut oil , palm and palm kernel oil, olive and linseed oilsIt is also found in animal-derived foods such as meat and milk, as well as plant foods containing fat. {2nd*}
It is synthesized endogenously from other fatty acids, carbohydrates and amino acids in the human body . It is also obtained from the diet of humans. In fact, it is the most common saturated fatty acid found in tissues in the human body, making up 20 percent to 30 percent of the total fatty acid content. {3*}
Benefits of Palmitic Acid
Palmitic acid (or palmitate ) is a long-chain fatty acid found in foods containing saturated fat, such as palm oil , coconut oil , and cocoa . It can also be produced by the human body and is found in animal foods such as meat, butter, cheese and milk.
There are both pros and cons to consuming this type of fat. The benefits of palmitic acid include supporting skin health, having anti-inflammatory effects, and potentially boosting metabolic health.
Supports Cellular Functions
Palmitic acid plays a critical role in supporting normal cell membrane function (exchange of substances) as well as helping the body store energy to facilitate metabolic functions. Some of the tasks of supporting cellular functions; cell division, reproduction, intracellular membrane permeability and regulation of substance transitions. It also affects the flexibility and permeability of cell membranes. It also aids in the production of Sphingolipids , which are found in cell membranes and help protect brain and nerve cells .
Palmitic acid should be consumed in a balanced way with unsaturated fatty acids (especially polyunsaturated fats-PUFAs) in order to have positive effects on inflammation levels and play a role in energy production, protein modification and the formation of membrane phospholipids.
PA is generally considered safe when consumed as part of a healthy diet, as opposed to being found in high amounts in processed foods. High levels of palmitic acid from a diet containing excessive amounts of processed sugars and carbohydrates have the potential to pose a particular health problem. When a person’s diet generally includes foods with a lot of calories, excessively high PA levels resulting from these foods cause progressively increasing visceral fat storage (intra-abdominal fat).
Excessive accumulation of palmitic acid in tissues can increase inflammation and lead to conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood sugar. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the appropriate amount of palmitic acid ratio against other healthy fats in the nutrition program.
Required to Create Beneficial Fatty Acids
The findings regarding the effects of palmitic acid in human diets are generally mixed. Many experts consider consuming medium-chain saturated fats (like lauric acid found in coconut oil ) and monounsaturated fats ( like oleic acid found in olive oil ) to be healthier than consuming saturated fat. However, palmitic acid helps the production of other beneficial fatty acids. {4*}
Palmitoleic acid (POA) is a type of n-7 monounsaturated fat, a product of palmitic acid metabolism in the body, not commonly found in foods. Compared to long-chain saturated fatty acids, it plays a role in protecting against insulin resistance, inflammation, and fat storage.
In some human and animal studies, palmitoleic acid has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and cholesterol -lowering effects. Because it aids in the formation of palmitoleic acid, some studies have linked moderate palmitic acid consumption to the prevention of metabolic syndrome, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes , and insulin resistance associated with obesity . {5*}
While the conversion of palmitic acid to palmitoleic acid may have some positive effects on metabolic functions, it can potentially cause heart disease in some cases. Consuming large amounts of palmitic acid causes levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol to rise. {6*}
Improves Skin Health
Studies have shown that palmitic acid helps to improve some of the skin problems:
- Debris
- Irritation and redness
- Dryness
- insect bite
Palmitic acid is mostly used in skin care as an emollient and moisturizer, and sometimes for skin cleansing. The most important benefit for skin health is that it traps moisture by forming a protective layer on the skin.
It also has some antioxidant effects that protect against free radical damage and signs of aging. By combining with dirt and oil molecules, it helps to clean the dirt, sweat and oil on the skin before washing it.
palmitic acid; It is widely used in a variety of skin care products, including ointments, serums, soaps and facial cleansers.
Possible Risks and Side Effects of Palmitic Acid Use
It is safe for topical use on the skin and no side effects have been observed in most people of this application. In general, scientific findings suggest that taking high dosages in supplement form or in capsule form may be harmful. Consuming it from food sources such as palm oil and coconut oil is seen as a safer option.
Although research focusing on the relationship between saturated fat consumption and increased risk of cardiovascular disease has come a long way in recent years, it is still thought that a high-fat diet with large amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol may be risky for some people. Saturated fatty acids (lauric, myristic and palmitic acids) are known to increase blood cholesterol levels. Today, some experts think that consuming too much saturated fat in the diet poses a risk for the development of coronary heart diseases.
Disruption of palmitic acid balance may cause physiopathological phenomena such as atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Therefore, it is very important for the individual to learn about the possible personal risk associated with the use of palmitic acid and how their body responds to different levels of fat in the diet.
When palmitic acid is consumed in excessive amounts or there is a fat imbalance in a person’s diet (too much palmitic acid compared to monounsaturated fats and PUFAs (polyunsaturated fats) such as omega 3 ‘s, omega-6 ‘s and other healthy fats) can have a negative impact on health. may cause harmful effects.
The best way to prevent possible harmful effects; Eating a diet that includes a variety of whole foods, including coconut, avocado, oily fish, nuts and seeds (quinoa, chia, etc.), olive oil, and healthy fats such as grass-fed meats.
In Which Foods Is Palmitic Acid Found?
Palmitic acid is produced from palm oil. It is a major component of palm oil (oil from the fruit of palm trees) and is also found in some other oils, including soybean oil. It accounts for an estimated 44 percent of the total oils found in palm oil.
If palm oil is to be used in cooking, choose crude palm oil/red palm oil that has been extracted to preserve its healthy beneficial compounds such as triacylglycerols, vitamin E , carotenoids , phytosterols , and phospholipids . It contains less palmitic acid than regular palm oil but is a healthy choice because of its other elements.
As mentioned above, PA is found in some animal products and some plants such as coconuts, cocoa, and palm trees. Coconut oil, soybean oil, and palm oil are often added to processed foods, so they are also found in some packaged/processed foods, including:
- Cookie,
- Biscuit,
- cakes,
- candies,
- cheese products,
- Cips,
- Chocolate,
- confectionery oils,
- Squatter,
- peanut butter,
- Frozen foods.
Palmitic acid can also be found in meat, butter, cheese and milk, making up about 50 percent to 60 percent of total fats, and is naturally found in breast milk. Average intake of PA is estimated to be around 20 to 30 grams per day. Even if people consume more than normal amounts, the PA content in the tissues of the body is thought to remain relatively constant as it is tightly controlled.
Palmitic acid, which is taken in more than the ideal amount, is balanced by the endogenous biosynthesis from which other fatty acids are made . In addition to being found in some oil-containing foods, palmitic acid is added to a number of supplements and skin care products that can be used directly on the skin topically and can also be taken internally.
Some of these supplements and products include:
- borage oil capsules,
- linseed oil capsules,
- Skin supplements containing vitamin E,
- cleaners,
- skin lightening serums,
- face masks.
Additionally, a modified version called sodium palmitate , derived from palm oil, has several industrial uses and benefits for food production. It is also added to many types of soaps, low-fat milks and some processed foods.
For example, one type called retinyl palmitate is a source of vitamin A that is added to reduced-fat milk to help replace some of the vitamin content the body has lost .