Overview

Soybean oil is oil produced from the seeds of the soybean plant.

Chemicals from soybean oil, called plant sterols, are used for high cholesterol. Soybean oil is also used as a mosquito repellant and as a nutritional supplement in intravenous feedings.

Be careful not to confuse soybean oil with other soy products or avocado soy unsaponifiables.

How does it work ?

Soybean oil contains unsaturated fatty acids which might help to lower cholesterol levels.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Likely Effective for

  • Mosquito repellant. Soybean oil is an ingredient in some commercial mosquito repellents. It seems to work about as well as some other mosquito repellents, including some products that contain about 4.7% DEET. But it doesn't last as long as products that contain 10% to 35% DEET.

Possibly Effective for

  • High cholesterol. Soybean oil in the diet seems to help lower total cholesterol and LDL (or "bad") cholesterol, but it might also lower HDL (or "good") cholesterol.
There is interest in using soybean 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: Soybean oil is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in amounts normally found in food. There isn't enough reliable information to know if soybean oil is safe when used in the amounts found in medicine.

When applied to the skin: Soybean oil is LIKELY SAFE when applied to the skin as an insect repellent in recommended amounts.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Soybean oil is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in amounts normally found in food. There isn't enough reliable information to know if soybean oil is safe when used in the amounts found in medicine.

When applied to the skin: Soybean oil is LIKELY SAFE when applied to the skin as an insect repellent in recommended amounts.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Soybean oil is LIKELY SAFE when pregnant or breast-feeding when used as part of the diet. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if soybean oil is safe to use in the amounts found in medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Peanut or soybean allergy: People who are allergic to peanuts, and other plants that are members of the Fabaceae/Leguminosea family might also be allergic to soybean oil.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for SOYBEAN OIL overview.

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:
  • For high cholesterol: Foods containing soybean oil have been used.
APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
  • For mosquito repellant: Applying a 2% soybean oil product, such as Bite Blocker (HOMS LLC), to the skin every 2 hours has been used.
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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.