SUNFLOWER OIL

OTHER NAME(S):

Aceite de Girasol, Adityabhakta, Corona Solis, Fleurs de Soleil, Grand Soleil, Hélianthe, Hélianthe Annuel, Helianthi Annui Oleum, Helianthus annuus, Huile de Graines de Tournesol, Huile de Tournesol, Marigold of Peru, Sunflower, Sunflower Oils, Sunflower Seed Oil.

Overview

Overview Information

Sunflower oil is pressed from the seeds of the sunflower. In foods, sunflower oil is used as a cooking oil. Sunflower oil is also used as medicine.

Sunflower oil is most commonly used for high cholesterol and preventing heart disease.

How does it work?

Sunflower oil is used as a source of unsaturated fat in the diet to replace saturated fats.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Possibly Effective for

  • Heart disease. There is some evidence that using sunflower oil that contains high amounts of oleic acid in place of dietary fats with higher amounts of saturated fat might reduce the risk of heart disease. The suggested amount of high-oleic acid sunflower oil is about 20 grams (1.5 tbsp) per day in place of other fats and oils. Sunflower oil that contains lower amounts of oleic acid does not seem to be beneficial.
  • High cholesterol. Most research shows that including sunflower oil in the diet lowers total cholesterol and "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. However, consuming sunflower oil may be less effective at reducing cholesterol compared to palm oil and flaxseed oil. Further, sunflower oil might not be effective for lowering cholesterol in people with peripheral vascular disease or those at risk for atherosclerosis.
  • Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis). Some research suggests that applying a specific brand of sunflower oil (Oleozon) to the foot for 6 weeks is as effective as the drug ketoconazole for curing athlete's foot.

Possibly Ineffective for

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Some early research shows that sunflower oil might reduce the extent of atherosclerosis in the arteries and improve blood vessel health in people who are overweight or obese. But other early research suggests that sunflower oil is less effective than fish oil for reducing plaque in the arteries of people with atherosclerosis.
  • Dry skin. Early research suggests that applying sunflower oil to the dry skin of newborns might help with moisturization. But it might also hinder the development of normal skin barrier function that occurs during the first 4 weeks of life.
  • Growth and development in premature infants. Early research suggests that, when a mother massages her very small premature infant with sunflower oil, the baby puts on weight faster than when the baby is massaged without oil or not massaged at all. But massaging with sunflower oil doesn't seem to increase the length or head circumference of the infant.
  • Joint pain and swelling (inflammation) that is caused by an infection (reactive arthritis). Early research suggests that taking sunflower oil for 3 weeks does not improve symptoms in people with Reiter's syndrome.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Early research suggests that taking sunflower oil for 3 weeks does not improve symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Constipation.
  • Skin conditions, when applied to the skin.
  • Wound healing, when applied to the skin.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of sunflower oil for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Sunflower oil is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts.

When applied to the skin: Sunflower oil is LIKELY SAFE when applied to the skin in appropriate amounts.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sunflower oil is safe to use in amounts greater than those found in food when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Sunflower oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin for up to 2 months.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Sunflower oil may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking sunflower oil.

Diabetes: A diet that is high in sunflower oil seems to increase fasting insulin and blood sugar levels. It also seems to increase after-meal blood fats. This might increase the chance of developing "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis) in people with type 2 diabetes.

Interactions

Interactions?

We currently have no information for SUNFLOWER OIL Interactions.

Dosing

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

  • For heart disease: For reducing the risk of heart disease, using about 20 grams (1.5 tbsp) of high-oleic acid sunflower oil per day in place of other fats and oils with higher amounts of saturated fat might help.
  • For high cholesterol: Sunflower oil at levels of approximately 45-50 grams daily for up to 12 weeks have been used. Diets containing specific brands of mid-oleic acid (NuSun) or high-oleic acid (Sunola, Meadow Lea Foods, Mascot, Australia) providing approximately 15% to 20% of dietary calories for up to 5 weeks have been used.
ON THE SKIN:
  • For athlete's foot (Tinea pedis): A specific brand of sunflower oil (Oleozon) has been applied twice daily for 6 weeks.

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View References

REFERENCES:

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  • Wilkinson, P., Leach, C., Ah-Sing, E. E., Hussain, N., Miller, G. J., Millward, D. J., and Griffin, B. A. Influence of alpha-linolenic acid and fish-oil on markers of cardiovascular risk in subjects with an atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype. Atherosclerosis 2005;181(1):115-124. View abstract.
  • Cooke A, Cork MJ, Victor S, et al. Olive oil, sunflower oil or no oil for baby dry skin or massage: A pilot, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial (the oil in baby skincare [OBSeRvE] Study). Acta Derm Venereol. 2016;96(3):323-30. View abstract.
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  • FDA completes review of qualified health claim petition for oleic acid and the risk of coronary heart disease. November 2018. Available at: www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm624758.htm. Accessed January 25, 2019.
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  • AbuMweis, S. S., Vanstone, C. A., Ebine, N., Kassis, A., Ausman, L. M., Jones, P. J., and Lichtenstein, A. H. Intake of a single morning dose of standard and novel plant sterol preparations for 4 weeks does not dramatically affect plasma lipid concentrations in humans. J Nutr. 2006;136(4):1012-1016. View abstract.
  • Aguilera, C. M., Mesa, M. D., Ramirez-Tortosa, M. C., Nestares, M. T., Ros, E., and Gil, A. Sunflower oil does not protect against LDL oxidation as virgin olive oil does in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Clin.Nutr. 2004;23(4):673-681. View abstract.
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  • Almallah, Y. Z., Ewen, S. W., El-Tahir, A., Mowat, N. A., Brunt, P. W., Sinclair, T. S., Heys, S. D., and Eremin, O. Distal proctocolitis and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs): the mucosal effect in situ. J Clin Immunol. 2000;20(1):68-76. View abstract.
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  • Binkoski, A. E., Kris-Etherton, P. M., Wilson, T. A., Mountain, M. L., and Nicolosi, R. J. Balance of unsaturated fatty acids is important to a cholesterol-lowering diet: comparison of mid-oleic sunflower oil and olive oil on cardiovascular disease risk factors. J.Am.Diet.Assoc. 2005;105(7):1080-1086. View abstract.
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  • Cater, N. B., Heller, H. J., and Denke, M. A. Comparison of the effects of medium-chain triacylglycerols, palm oil, and high oleic acid sunflower oil on plasma triacylglycerol fatty acids and lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in humans. Am.J Clin.Nutr. 1997;65(1):41-45. View abstract.
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  • Gustafsson, I. B., Vessby, B., Ohrvall, M., and Nydahl, M. A diet rich in monounsaturated rapeseed oil reduces the lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and increases the relative content of n-3 fatty acids in serum in hyperlipidemic subjects. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 1994;59(3):667-674. View abstract.
  • Jantti, J., Isomaki, H., Laitinen, O., Nikkari, T., Seppala, E., and Vapaatalo, H. Linoleic acid treatment in inflammatory arthritis. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Ther.Toxicol. 1985;23(2):89-91. View abstract.
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  • Taheri PA, Goudarzi Z, Shariat M, Nariman S, Matin EN. The effect of a short course of moderate pressure sunflower oil massage on the weight gain velocity and length of NICU stay in preterm infants. Infant Behav Dev. 2018;50:22-27. View abstract.
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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.

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