Effect of Palm Oil, Palm Olein, Palm Kernel Oil and Their Blends on the Lipid Profile of Albino Rats

Edible oils play an important role in the body as carriers of essential fatty acids, this essential fatty acids are not produced in the body but gotten from diet we consume. This study examined the effect of palm oil, palm olein, palm kernel oil and their blends (PKO: POL and POL: PKO) on the lipid profile of Albino rats. The aim was to investigate the nutritional and health effects of these oils. Serum was used in the biochemical analysis of lipid profile using Randox Laboratories (England) kit. High density lipoprotein cholesterol in rats fed diets containing unheated and unblended PKO was lower than the recommended range and palm olein and their blends were all higher than the recommended range of 40-59mg/dL. Palm kernel oil fortified diet significantly increased triglyceride levels while; total cholesterol levels were considered to be acceptable except for palm kernel oil and its blends. Palm kernel oil and higher blend of palm kernel oil increased significantly very low density lipoprotein cholesterol above the recommended limit of 2-30mg/dl. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol values in this study were far below the recommended limit for PKO and higher blends of PKO. In conclusion palm oil helps to lower total cholesterol concentration by stimulating the synthesis of protective HDL-C. Palm kernel oil increases total triglyceride and total cholesterol levels.