Lahoy Oil

WE are all in search of perfect health. Well, at least something that will make us feel better, look younger and improve our lives. And in doing so, we try to eat healthy, drink healthy, stay healthy and act healthy.

During the trade fair held recently in the city, I chanced upon a product which I remember my uncles and aunts were using a long time ago. A product that smells terrible and tastes horrible (well, blame it on my being a kid then!), until it was improved and came out in capsulated form which is said to do wonders on one’s health. It wasn’t as expensive then but became costly as the demand grows.

I am talking about squalene, a natural treasure from the deep and cold water of the South Pacific. It was discovered by a Japanese doctor in1906 but didn’t get enough attention until 1930 when researchers found out that sharks do not develop tumors and cancers. Squalene is an extract of shark liver oil whose natural habitat is found in the unpolluted ocean of the Pacific with a depth of about 3,000 feet in 35 degrees water.

Lahoy, on the other hand comes from the liver of deep sea dog fish shark (squallus SPP) and is believed to be not included in the endangered species list. This type of shark stays deep and can be seen or caught only at 600 feet to 10,000 feet deep, near the sea bed. They can grow to as big as three feet and can weigh as much as 13 kilos. And the liver where the oil is extracted can be about 30 to 45 percent of the total weight of the fish! Such a huge liver I should say! No wonder they stay very healthy!

Mr. Robert P. Vicente, married with three kids, is originally from Davao City but transferred to Aloran, Oroquieta City in 2007 to be with his 73-year-old mom. Although he has an Accounting degree from University of Mindanao, he felt there is a need for some food supplement in the community that can also become a source of income for him and his family. He first heard of squalene as an ingredient from a neighbour who owns a herbal supplement company in Davao and became interested, particularly in squalene itself.

Being in Oroquieta City and surrounded by the vast seas, he soon found out that Lahoy (la-from lami/lasa & hoy- as a way of calling people) flourished in the clear seawater of the area and made further research on it. Having all the necessary know-how, he then made contacts with the fishermen since they have been catching these sharks and cooking them fresh with coconut milk or as kinilaw. Also believed to be an “aphrodisiac”, Robert then worked with the fishermen to provide him with the shark’s liver where he then processed them into “oil”, removing the dirt and sediments and sells them. Aside from the area, Robert also acquires other raw materials from Camiguin, Cotabato and Ozamiz. In August, 2008, he started exporting these “oil” to Japan, one of the world’s biggest consumers of squalene.

Squalene is actually a nutrient that is produced in our body and also found in nature. It belongs to a class of antioxidants called isoprenoids that helps neutralizes harmful effects of free radicals in the body. In other words, it helps repair cells of the human body as an anti-oxidant. It also carries oxygen that helps maintain a healthy body. It also helps in fighting common diseases like colds to cancer.

The fisherman and seaside folks used lahoy oil as an immediate medication to treat minor cuts/wounds, skin scratches, skin burns and irritations like pimples and insect bites. They even use it as an aphrodisiac/fertility oil. Also works well for dry skin and as a sun block and skin whitening agent. It can also be taken internally with about 5ml per day to achieve the maximum effect of the oil. Many of his clientele who has been using the oil for sometime swears it has helped their skin and sexual functioning.

Report of analysis has been done by the Department of Science and Technology

Lahoy Oil is manufactured by RPV & Sons Enterprises in Oroquieta City and can be reached through their email add: robertsqualene@yahoo.com or 0905-918-5886 or 0918-743-0457. It is available in natural and lemon and biasing flavor and comes in 70 ml plastic bottles.

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