Overview

Palm oil is an edible oil that comes from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis). Crude palm oil, or "red palm oil," is high in beta-carotene.

Palm oil contains saturated and unsaturated fats. Some types of palm oil contain vitamin E and beta-carotene. These types of palm oil might have antioxidant effects. Refined palm oil is made by bleaching, deodorizing, and neutralizing crude palm oil.

People use palm oil for preventing and treating vitamin A deficiency. It is also used for malaria, heart disease, cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Likely Effective for

  • Vitamin A deficiency. Adding red palm oil to the diets of children or during pregnancy in developing countries reduces the chance of having low vitamin A levels. It also seems to help increase vitamin A levels in those who already have low levels.
There is interest in using palm oil for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Palm oil is commonly consumed in foods. But palm oil contains a type of fat that can increase cholesterol levels. So people should avoid eating palm oil in excess. Palm oil is possibly safe when used as a medicine, short-term. Taking 7-12 grams daily for up to 6 months seems to be safe.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Palm oil is commonly consumed in foods. But palm oil contains a type of fat that can increase cholesterol levels. So people should avoid eating palm oil in excess. Palm oil is possibly safe when used as a medicine, short-term. Taking 7-12 grams daily for up to 6 months seems to be safe. Pregnancy: Palm oil is commonly consumed in foods. Palm oil is possibly safe when taken by mouth as a medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if palm oil is safe to use as medicine when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: Palm oil is commonly consumed in foods. Palm oil is possibly safe when taken by mouth as a medicine. Palm oil has been used daily for up to 6 months in children under 5 years of age and for up to 12 months in children 5 years of age and older.

High cholesterol: Regularly eating meals containing palm oil can increase levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. This might be a problem for people who already have high cholesterol.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with PALM OIL

    Palm oil might slow blood clotting. Taking palm oil along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Dosing

Palm oil is commonly used in processed foods and as an oil for frying.

As medicine, red palm oil has most often been used by adults in doses of 7-12 grams by mouth daily for up to 6 months. In children, red palm oil has been used in doses of 6-9 grams by mouth daily for up to 6 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.