Nutritional Benefits of Red Palm Oil for Mothers and Infants

By Dr Malar Santhi Santherasegapan M.D CSMU (Ukr), MBA in Healthcare Management – HONS (UTM), PDAM (IIWAM), IES (London).

As new mothers care for their babies, a recent discovery in children’s nutrition provides important benefits for both mother and child.

Research shows, that if mothers incorporate red palm oil into their diet, levels of provitamin A carotenoids significantly increases in both their blood serum and breastmilk, which ultimately increases alpha and beta carotene levels in their baby’s serum.1 This is a positive finding towards neonatal growth and paediatric health overall since vitamin A is one of the most essential nutrients for fetus, neonates and infants.

According to research conducted in Hyderabad India² and Tanzania³, pregnant and lactating mothers who incorporate red palm oil in moderation a salad dressing or used for cooking with stir fry dishes, have higher retinols level in mother and infants, lesser rate of anaemia (red blood cells deficiency) among pregnant mothers compared to those who doesn’t take red palm oil in their diet. 

Provitamin A carotenoids are essential nutrients that the body converts into vitamin A. This vitamin is crucial for vision, immune function, and cellular health. For pregnant and nursing mothers, adequate levels of these nutrients are important to ensure their infants receive sufficient nutrient through breastmilk for appropriate fetal growth. Vitamin A deficiency in infants can lead to severe health issues, including stunted growth, impaired vision and increased susceptibility to infections.

Red Palm Oil – Nutritional Benefits

Studies have shown that palm oil, which is rich in natural carotenoids, can significantly enhance the levels of these nutrients in the maternal plasma and when consumed by lactating mothers, the carotenoids from palm oil is transferred through breastmilk,⁴ improving its quality, and directly benefiting the infant by boosting neonatal immune system and aiding brain development. This is especially important in regions where dietary diversity is limited and access to vitamin A-rich food is scarce. 

While the nutritional benefits of palm oil is clear, the importance of sourcing sustainable palm oil is also important. Palm oil industry has historically been linked to deforestation and habitat destruction. However, Malaysia’s palm oil industry has been working tirelessly in recent years to tackle sustainability goals and environmental impact. By adhering to rigorous environmental and ethical standards, now sustainable palm oil farms in Malaysia has been protect ecosystems, support local communities, and promote biodiversity.

Malaysian palm oil, which has always been produced under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme, means consumers can enjoy the health benefits of palm oil while contributing to a more equitable and environmentally friendly industry. The MSPO certification guarantees that the palm oil is produced in a manner that prioritizes environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic viability.

Diet

Palm oil can be valuable addition to the diet of breastfeeding mothers, offering rich source of energy, essential vitamins, and beneficial fat that support both mother’s and infant’s health. However, it is vital that sustainable palm oil be prioritized so we can help mitigate the negative impacts associated with conventional palm oil production, ensuring a healthier future for our families and our planet.

1. Lietz, G., Henry, C.J.K., Mulokozi, G., Mugyabuso, J., Ballart, A., Ndossi, G., Lorri, W. and Tomkins, A., 2000. Use of red palm oil for the promotion of maternal vitamin A status. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 21(2), pp.215-218.

2. Radhika, M.S., Bhaskaram, P., Balakrishna, N. and Ramalakshmi, B.A., 2003. Red palm oil supplementation: a feasible diet-based approach to improve the vitamin A status of pregnant women and their infants. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 24(2), pp.208-217.

3.Lietz, G., Henry, C.J.K., Mulokozi, G., Mugyabuso, J.K., Ballart, A., Ndossi, G.D., Lorri, W. and Tomkins, A., 2001. Comparison of the effects of supplemental red palm oil and sunflower oil on maternal vitamin A status. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 74(4), pp.501-509.

4.Lietz, G., Mulokozi, G., Henry, J.C. and Tomkins, A.M., 2006. Xanthophyll and hydrocarbon carotenoid patterns differ in plasma and breast milk of women supplemented with red palm oil during pregnancy and lactation. The Journal of nutrition, 136(7), pp.1821-1827.

5.Canfield, L.M., Kaminsky, R.G., Taren, D.L., Shaw, E. and Sander, J.K., 2001. Red palm oil in the maternal diet increases provitamin A carotenoids in breastmilk and serum of the mother-infant dyad. European journal of nutrition, 40, pp.30-38.  

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