Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

Lipids and cardiovascular/metabolic health

Red palm olein supplementation on cytokines, endothelial function and lipid profile in centrally overweight individuals: a randomised controlled trial

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 73, pages 609–616 (2019)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objectives

The consumption of antioxidant-rich cooking oil such as red palm olein may be cardioprotective from the perspective of subclinical inflammation and endothelial function.

Subjects/methods

Using a crossover design, we conducted a randomised controlled trial in 53 free-living high-risk abdominally overweight subjects, comparing the effects of incorporating red palm olein (with palm olein as control) in a supervised isocaloric 2100 kcal diet of 30% en fat, two-thirds (45 g/day) of which were derived from the test oil for a period of 6 weeks each.

Results

We did not observe a significant change in interleukin-6 (IL-6), in parallel with other pro-inflammatory (tumour necrosis factor-β, interleukin-1β, IL-1β, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, hsCRP) and endothelial function (soluble intercellular adhesion molecules, sICAM, soluble intravascular adhesion molecules, sVCAM) parameters. Interestingly, we observed a significant reduction in oxidised LDL levels (P < 0.0386) while on the red palm olein diet, together with the increase in plasma alpha tocopherol (P < 0.0002), alpha carotene (P < 0.0001) and beta carotene (P < 0.0001) concentrations compared with palm olein diet.

Conclusion

Red palm olein did not improve subclinical inflammation and endothelial function despite profound increase in antioxidant levels. The positive improvement in oxidised LDL merits further attention in this group of subjects at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Katengua-Thamahane E, Marnewick JL, Ajuwon OR, Chegou NN, Szűcs G, Ferdinandy P, et al. The combination of red palm oil and rooibos show anti-inflammatory effects in rats. J Inflam. 2014;11:41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Nirmitha D, Suresh D. Significance of hsCRP and oxidative stress as early novel markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in young healthy obese males. J Biomed Sci Res. 2010;23:143–50.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bester D, Esterhuyse A, Truter E, Van Rooyen J. Cardiovascular effects of edible oils: a comparison between four popular edible oils. Nutr Res Rev. 2010;23:334–48.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Loganathan R, Selvaduray K, Nesaretnam K, Radhakrishnan A. Health promoting effects of phytonutrients found in palm oil. Malays J Nutr. 2010;16:309–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Van Rooyen J, Esterhuyse AJ, Engelbrecht A-M, Du Toit EF. Health benefits of a natural carotenoid rich oil: a proposed mechanism of protection against ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17:316–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Kruger MJ, Engelbrecht AM, Esterhuyse J, du Toit EF, van Rooyen J. Dietary red palm oil reduces ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats fed a hypercholesterolaemic diet. Br J Nutr. 2007;97:653–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bester DJ, Kupai K, Csont T, Szucs G, Csonka C, Esterhuyse AJ, et al. Dietary red palm oil supplementation reduces myocardial infarct size in an isolated perfused rat heart model. Lipids Health Dis. 2010;9:64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Loganathan R, Subramaniam KM, Radhakrishnan AK, Choo YM, Teng KT. Health-promoting effects of red palm oil: evidence from animal and human studies. Nutr Rev. 2017;75:98–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Dong S, Xia H, Wang F, Sun G. The effect of red palm oil on vitamin A deficiency: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 2017;9:12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Scrimshaw NS. Nutritional potential of red palm oil for combating vitamin A deficiency. Food Nutr Bull. 2000;21:195–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Teng K-T, Chang LF, Vethakkan SR, Nesaretnam K, Sanders TA. Effects of exchanging carbohydrate or monounsaturated fat with saturated fat on inflammatory and thrombogenic responses in subjects with abdominal obesity: A randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2017;36:1250–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Kand’ár R, Novotná P, Drábková P. Determination of retinol,-tocopherol, lycopene, and-carotene in human plasma using HPLC with UV-Vis detection: Application to a clinical study. J Chem. 2012; 2013: 1-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Alberti KGMM,Zimmet P, Shaw J., Metabolic syndrome—a new world‐wide definition. A consensus statement from the international diabetes federation. Diabet Med. 2006;23:469–80.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Fernández-Sánchez A, Madrigal-Santillán E, Bautista M, Esquivel-Soto J, Morales-González Á, et al. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and obesity. Int J Mol Sci. 2011;12:3117–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Van Stuijvenberg M, Benadé A. South African experience with the use of red palm oil to improve the vitamin A status of primary school children. Food Nutr Bull. 2000;21:212–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. van Stuijvenberg ME, Dhansay MA, Lombard CJ, Faber M, Benade AJ. The effect of a biscuit with red palm oil as a source of beta-carotene on the vitamin A status of primary school children: a comparison with beta-carotene from a synthetic source in a randomised controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2001;55:657–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Cooper KA, Adelekan DA, Esimai AO, Northrop-Clewes CA, Thurnham DI. Lack of influence of red palm oil on severity of malaria infection in pre-school Nigerian children. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2002;96:216–23.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Sivan YS, Alwin Jayakumar Y, Arumughan C, Sundaresan A, Jayalekshmy A, Suja KP, et al. Impact of vitamin A supplementation through different dosages of red palm oil and retinol palmitate on preschool children. J Trop Pediatr. 2002;48:24–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Sivan YS, Jayakumar YA, Arumughan C, Sundaresan A, Balachandran C, Job J, et al. Impact of beta-carotene supplementation through red palm oil. J Trop Pediatr. 2001;47:67–72.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Manorama R, Brahmam GN, Rukmini C. Red palm oil as a source of beta-carotene for combating vitamin A deficiency. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 1996;49:75–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Lietz G, Henry CJ, Mulokozi G, Mugyabuso JK, Ballart A, Ndossi GD, et al. Comparison of the effects of supplemental red palm oil and sunflower oil on maternal vitamin A status. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;74:501–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Lietz G, Mulokozi G, Henry JC, Tomkins AM. Xanthophyll and hydrocarbon carotenoid patterns differ in plasma and breast milk of women supplemented with red palm oil during pregnancy and lactation. J Nutr. 2006;136:1821–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Canfield LM, Kaminsky RG, Taren DL, Shaw E, Sander JK. Red palm oil in the maternal diet increases provitamin A carotenoids in breastmilk and serum of the mother-infant dyad. Eur J Nutr. 2001;40:30–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Zhang J, Wang CR, Xue AN, Ge KY. Effects of red palm oil on serum lipids and plasma carotenoids level in Chinese male adults. Biomed Environ Sci. 2003;16:348–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Olmedilla BGF, Southon S, Wright AJA, Blanco I, Gil-Martinez E, Van den Berg H, Thurnham DI, Corridan B, Chopra M, Hininger I. A European multicentre, placebo-controlled supplementation study with a-tocopherol,carotene-rich palm oil, lutein or lycopene: analysis of serum responses. Clin Sci. 2002;102:447–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Aparna K, Manorama K. Effect of supplementation of red palmolein, iron and vitamin C on vitamin A and iron status of adolescent girls. J Oilseeds Res. 2009;26:47–9.

    Google Scholar 

  27. De Moura FF, Moursi M, Lubowa A, Ha B, Boy E, Oguntona B, et al. Cassava intake and vitamin A status among women and preschool children in Akwa-Ibom, Nigeria. PLoS ONE. 2015;10:e0129436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Mahapatra S, Manorama R. The protective effect of red palm oil in comparison with massive vitamin A dose in combating vitamin A deficiency in Orissa, India. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6:246–50.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Manorama R, Sarita M, Rukmini C. Red palm oil for combating vitamin A deficiency. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1997;6:56–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Lian OK, Tie LT, Rose CS, Prawiranegara DD, Gyorgy P. Red palm oil in the prevention of vitamin A deficiency. A trial on preschool children in indonesia. Paediatr Indones. 1968;8:192–202.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Zeba AN, Martin Prevel Y, Some IT, Delisle HF. The positive impact of red palm oil in school meals on vitamin A status: study in Burkina Faso. Nutr J. 2006;5:17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. van Stuijvenberg ME, Faber M, Dhansay MA, Lombard CJ, Vorster N, Benade AJ. Red palm oil as a source of beta-carotene in a school biscuit used to address vitamin A deficiency in primary school children. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2000;51:S43–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Roels O, Djaeni S, Trout ME, Lauw T, Heath A, Poev S, et al. The effect of protein and fat supplements on vitamin A-deficient Indonesian children. Am J Clin Nutr. 1963;12:380–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Seshadri SE. Use of carotene-rich foods to combat vitamin A deficiency in India—a multicentric study by the Nutrition Foundation of India. Indian Pediatr. 1997;34:313–8.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Radhika MS, Bhaskaram P, Balakrishna N, Ramalakshmi BA. Red palm oil supplementation: a feasible diet-based approach to improve the vitamin A status of pregnant women and their infants. Food Nutr Bull. 2003;24:208–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Zagre NM, Delpeuch F, Traissac P, Delisle H. Red palm oil as a source of vitamin A for mothers and children: impact of a pilot project in Burkina Faso. Public Health Nutr. 2003;6:733–42.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Mosha TC, Laswai HS, Mtebe K, Paulo AB. Control of vitamin A deficiency disorders through fortification of cassava flour with red palm oil: a case study of Kigoma district, Tanzania. Ecol Food Nutr. 1998;37:569–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Delisle H, Zagré N, Ouedraogo V. Marketing of red palm oil as a food source of vitamin A in Burkina Faso: A pilot project involving women’s groups. Food Nutr Bull. 2001;22:388–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Aggarwal B, Sundaram C, Prasad S, Kannappan R. Tocotrienols, the vitamin E of the 21st century: its potential against cancer and other chronic diseases. Biochem Pharmacol. 2010;80:1613–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Tolonen M. Vitamins and minerals in health and nutrition. Elsevier; England,1990.

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Director-General of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) for providing the research grants to carry out this study (PD164/12). Sincere acknowledgement to research assistants (Fatmawati Othman, Noraqmar Shafie, Ong Thean Huat; Nutrition Unit, MPOB), technical support (Fu Ju Yen and Puvaneswari Meganathan; Nutrition Unit, MPOB) and physician (Quek Yeow Ling, National University of Malaysia Hospital).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Bandar Baru Bangi, Kajang, Selangor, 43000, Malaysia

    Radhika Loganathan, Ghazali Abd Razak & Teng Kim-Tiu

  2. Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia

    Radhika Loganathan & Shireene Ratna Vethakkan

  3. Pathology Division, Faculty of Medicine and Health, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia

    Ammu K. Radhakrishnan

Authors
  1. Radhika Loganathan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shireene Ratna Vethakkan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ammu K. Radhakrishnan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ghazali Abd Razak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Teng Kim-Tiu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Teng Kim-Tiu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02263183

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Loganathan, R., Vethakkan, S.R., Radhakrishnan, A.K. et al. Red palm olein supplementation on cytokines, endothelial function and lipid profile in centrally overweight individuals: a randomised controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 73, 609–616 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0236-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0236-5

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links