Palm oil

Related Terms

Alpha-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, antioxidant, Arecaceae (family), babassu, beta-carotene, Betapol?, beta-sitosterol, campesterol, Caromin?, carotene, carotenoids, Carotino?, CholesteForm?, coenzyme Q10, Elaeis guineensis, fatty acids, flavonoids, glycolipids, lycopene, magnesium, methyl esters, oil, oleic acid, orbignya, palm fruit, palm kernel oil, palm tree, palmae, palmitic acid, Papuan palm oil, phenolic acids, phospholipids, phytonutrients, phytosterols, Raphia hookeri, red palm oil, SocfatT, SocfatT 4000P, SocfatT 4100P, sterols, stigmasterol, squalene, suji halwa, Tocobeads?, Tocomin?, tocopherols, tocotrienols, ubiquinones, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K.

Background

Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis). Crude or virgin palm oil is called "red palm oil" because of its characteristic dark red color due to the high beta-carotene content. Boiling destroys the carotenoids, causing the oil to lose its color. Two different types of oils may be extracted from the oil palm tree. Palm oil is derived from the fleshy portion of the palm fruit, while palm kernel oil is derived from the seed or the kernel. Palm oil contains mainly palmitic and oleic acids and is about 50% saturated, while palm kernel oil contains mainly lauric acid and is more than 89% saturated. Palm kernel oil does not convey as many health benefits as palm oil due to its higher levels of saturated fat.
Palm oil has an important role in the diet and the economies of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It is estimated that 90% of palm oil produced is used in foods such as margarine, shortening, and mayonnaise. It is commonly used as a cooking and frying oil, although there is evidence that its health benefits are lost during excessive heating or frying. Palm oil is also found in soaps, washing powders, cosmetics, and biodiesel. It is popular in processed foods, because it does not contain cholesterol and requires little or no hydrogenation, a process that produces trans-fatty acids. Many food manufacturers are using palm oil in place of hydrogenated oils in their products and then advertising them as being "trans fat and cholesterol free." However, many people consider palm oil to be unhealthy due to its high saturated fatty acid content.
Palm oil is a rich source of antioxidants, including vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols), carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene), and coenzyme Q10 and has been proposed as an alternative treatment of vitamin A deficiency for several reasons. Palm oil has been reported to have highly bioconvertible forms of alpha- and beta-carotene and to enhance the bioavailability of beta-carotene. It has also been reported to have a long shelf life and a higher cost-benefit ratio when compared to alternative treatments of vitamin A deficiency, like high-dose vitamin A supplements and the addition of retinyl ester fortificants to food. Supplementation of red palm oil as a capsule or a food fortificant may be effective against malnutrition.
Clinical trials have shown that palm oil is effective at treating and preventing vitamin A deficiency. Studies have also been performed to examine the benefits of using palm oil to prevent or treat heart disease, breast inflammation (following childbirth), diarrhea, high cholesterol, and obesity. However, at this time, high-quality human research supporting the use of palm oil for these or other indications are lacking.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Evidence suggests that palm oil is as effective as vitamin A for preventing vitamin A deficiency in humans.

 A


Evidence suggests that palm oil is as effective as vitamin A for preventing vitamin A deficiency in humans.

 A


Early research suggests that palm oil may have antioxidant effects. High-quality trials are needed in this field.

 C


Early research suggests that palm oil may have antioxidant effects. High-quality trials are needed in this field.

 C


Preliminary evidence suggests that palm oil may help prevent atherosclerosis. Further studies are needed in this field.

 C


Preliminary evidence suggests that palm oil may help prevent atherosclerosis. Further studies are needed in this field.

 C


Evidence supporting the use of palm oil for breast inflammation after childbirth is currently lacking. Further studies are needed in this field.

 C


Evidence supporting the use of palm oil for breast inflammation after childbirth is currently lacking. Further studies are needed in this field.

 C


Limited evidence suggests that palm oil may have a role in treating diarrhea. Further studies are needed in this field.

 C


Limited evidence suggests that palm oil may have a role in treating diarrhea. Further studies are needed in this field.

 C


Study results regarding the effects of palm oil on cholesterol levels are mixed. Further studies are needed in this field.

 C


Study results regarding the effects of palm oil on cholesterol levels are mixed. Further studies are needed in this field.

 C


Limited evidence suggests that palm oil may benefit malnourished individuals. Further studies are needed in this field.

 C


Limited evidence suggests that palm oil may benefit malnourished individuals. Further studies are needed in this field.

 C


Evidence supporting the use of palm oil for obesity is currently lacking. High-quality trials are needed in this field.

 C


Evidence supporting the use of palm oil for obesity is currently lacking. High-quality trials are needed in this field.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
For high cholesterol, palm oil has been taken by mouth at various doses in a controlled diet for 21-35 days. Fifty-six grams of test fats has been taken by mouth daily as shortbread cookies for three weeks. Palm oil has been taken by mouth in amounts sufficient to provide approximately 20-24% of the dietary energy intake in a weight-maintaining diet for 6-10 weeks. Four capsules of Palmvitee? (50 milligrams of tocotrienol plus 250 grams of palm super olein) have been taken by mouth after breakfast and dinner daily for four weeks. Twenty-five grams of palm oil (12% of total energy intake) has been taken by mouth baked into high-fiber muffins and rusks for four weeks.
For obesity, a single meal supplemented with palm oil (29 grams of fat per square meter of body surface area) has been eaten.
For vitamin A deficiency, eight milliliters of red palm oil (2,400 micrograms of beta-carotene) has been taken by mouth daily for up to eight weeks. Twelve grams of red palm oil has been taken by mouth daily for six months. Ninety milligrams of beta-carotene as red palm oil concentrate has been taken by mouth, mixed into a serving of black beans in six divided doses over a total of 10 days.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Palm oil may affect blood sugar levels by increasing glucose production. Caution is advised when using medications that may also affect blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Palm oil may alter blood pressure. Caution is advised in patients taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood pressure.
Palm oil may increase the risk of bleeding or blood clotting when taken with drugs that affect bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Palm oil may also interact with agents used for the heart, agents that affect the immune system, cholesterol-lowering agents, laxatives, and tamoxifen.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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