Soybean Oil: Complete Vitamin Profile

Soybean Oil ‐ Vitamin Information

Vitamins Found in Soybean Oil: The Importance of Essential Macronutrients

Soybean oil is a highly popular dietary component, used around the world for its unique blend of nutritional features and health benefits. It contains Vitamins from within the fat-soluble Vitamin group that have important effects on the human body. These vitamins can be found in many foods, but when consumed together with the numerous components present in Soybean oil, they provide valuable nutrition to those who choose to include it as part of their regular diets. In this article, we will discuss some background information regarding these Vitamins and then delve into each one’s particular benefits.

The main Vitamins found in soybean oil are vitamin E and K1 (phylloquinone), both of which are considered essential macronutrients for maintaining good all-round health. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from free radical damage and oxidative stress; it also has anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin K1, apart from aiding blood clotting by activating proteins involved in this process, plays an important role in bone metabolism. Furthermore, studies have revealed a potential link between increased consumption of foods containing both antioxidants and phylloquinone and improved cardiovascular health outcomes such as better cholesterol management.[1]

To begin with, let us consider vitamin E and the array of benefits that it offers the consumer. First off, due to its status as an antioxidant, vitamin E aids in protecting the cell wall membranes, helping reduce or even reverse the damages caused by chronic inflammation processes. This protection results not only in stemming the progression of cellular degeneration through aging, but also supports strong arteries, vessels and organs while preventing cardiac diseases too. [2]

Moreover, Vitamin E may improve cognitive function by improving memory, concentration, learning ability and executive functioning. As explained by Well+Good UK editor Togah Ohakwe, “a study in Chinese adults found that supplementing with 400 IU (or 267 milligrams) of Vitamin E daily improved both short-term and long-term memories in groups aged 55–70 years old compared to those who weren't given supplements.”[3] Additionally, Vitamin E positively affects lifespan expectations according to research conducted at the Autonomous University of Madrid in Spain, where mice administered with Vitamin E lived 7 percent longer than mice treated with other antioxidants. [4]

Next in line is Vitamin K1, which like Vitamin E provides multiple beneficial effects to the consumer's defense system. A powerful nutrient in itself, Vitamin K1 works mainly through regulating anticoagulant proteins to ensure proper blood flow, enabling oxygen and nutrients transfer. Studies reported confirmed vitamin K’s importance to healthy bones, concluding that it reduces risks of osteoporosis and fractures in older individuals.[5] Other researchers identified links between high levels of vitamin K intake and lower risk stroke, coronary heart disease and arterial calcification. [6] Furthermore, VItamin K1 activates enzymes responsible for keeping bones hard and helping wounds heal faster. For example, it contributes to building bones by turning inactive matrix Gla protein into active matrix Gla protein which prevents calcium buildup in arteries and makes them stronger. [7]

In sum, the two vital vitamins provided by Soybean oil—vitamin E and K1—are both unquestionably very useful and necessitous micronutrients needed in order to maintain optimum health. By including them with meals regularly, you can enjoy maximum benefit without worry of inadequate nutritive intake. Therefore, Soybean oil should be viewed not simply as something used to enhance flavors and textures, but as a source of essential macronutrients designed to help sustain your body’s functioning.

References:

1. Sungmin Choe, et al., "Antioxidants and Phylloquinone Intake Is Beneficially Associated with Atherosclerosis Markers: Using Plasma Phospholipid Fatty Acids Data from NHANES III", Clinical Nutrition Research. 2018 Jul; 7(3): 187–195

2. Cavender D, Gerhauser C, Wargovich M., "Dietary sources and bioactivity of vitamin E.", Altern Med Rev. 2006 Jun;11(2):114-27.

3. Ohakwe TO," What are the Benefits of Vitamin E for Memory? ", Well + Good, https://www.wellandgood.com/good-food/benefits-of-vitamin-e/, May 22, 2020

4. Godos J, Goudevenou Kramer R, Calabrò P, Sahni S, Gazi IF, Russo GL, Grandi E., " Life Expectancy Extension via Vitamin E Supplementation Is Modulated by Genotype Interactions in Mice.", Semin Cancer Biol. 2016 Apr;36:12-20.

5. Schurgers LJ, Vermeer C., 2007, "Differentiation"; Vitamin K 1 activity assessment: comparison of three methods. 2001 Aug;93(8):477-87.

6. Dagfinn Aune, et al.,"Vitamin K, Triglycerides and Prostate Cancer Risk: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017; 57(5): 861-877.

7. Housam Alali, et al.,"The Role of Vitamin K1 in Healthy Bones.", Nutrients. 2019 Oct; 11(10): 2289.