Uses & Effectiveness
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.
Palm oil is an excellent source of vitamin A, providing about 15% of the recommended daily intake in just one tablespoon, helping to maintain good vision, healthy skin, and a strong immune system.
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.
Interactions
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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.
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Special Precautionsand 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.
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.
