Last verified: 17 days ago
Palm Oil
Also known as: Elaeis guineensis, palm olein, red palm oil, palm tocotrienol-rich fraction, TRF, palm stearin
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Cooking oil with mixed cardiovascular effects. Palm olein may lower LDL vs. coconut oil, but evidence is limited.
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What it does
Palm oil is a tropical vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree. It is high in saturated fatty acids and also contains unique antioxidants called tocotrienols (a form of vitamin...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose
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Found in
What the Science Says
Palm oil is a tropical vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree. It is high in saturated fatty acids and also contains unique antioxidants called tocotrienols (a form of vitamin E). Limited clinical evidence suggests palm olein oil may modestly reduce LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol compared to coconut oil, and its tocotrienol-rich fraction is being studied for potential immune-supporting effects following vaccination.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to boost immunity on its own — the tocotrienol immune studies are still in protocol phase with no published results. Not a weight-loss aid. Not a detox ingredient. Red palm oil does not meaningfully raise vitamin A levels with typical daily use. No strong evidence it prevents heart disease.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Palm olein oil reduced LDL cholesterol by 13% compared to a 5.6% increase with coconut oil over 8 weeks.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: Used as primary cooking oil over 8 weeks
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Palm oil in foods decreased plasma linoleic acid levels compared to soybean oil over 4 weeks.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 30 g/day via fortified foods
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic data provided in the available studies. Dietary fats are generally well absorbed, but specific bioavailability data for palm oil bioactives (e.g., tocotrienols) is not covered in the provided papers.
Red Flags to Watch For
- High in saturated fatty acids, which may raise cardiovascular risk with excessive intake
- Most immune and antioxidant benefit claims are based on unpublished or protocol-only studies — results not yet available
- Palm olein and red palm oil are different products with different fatty acid profiles; marketing often conflates them
- Environmental and sustainability concerns around palm oil sourcing are significant and not addressed by health claims
- Many supplement products (1000+ in NIH DSLD) contain palm oil as a carrier or filler, not as an active ingredient
Products Containing Palm Oil
See how Palm Oil is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Palm Oil do?
Cooking oil with mixed cardiovascular effects. Palm olein may lower LDL vs. coconut oil, but evidence is limited.
What is the effective dose of Palm Oil?
No established dose
Is Palm Oil safe?
High in saturated fatty acids, which may raise cardiovascular risk with excessive intake
What doesn't Palm Oil do?
Not proven to boost immunity on its own — the tocotrienol immune studies are still in protocol phase with no published results.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25