Health & Well-Being A-Z

Soybean Oil

Soybean Oil in bottle and Soy beans
Description

Soybean oil is oil produced from the seeds of the soybean plant.

Chemicals from soybean oil, called plant sterols, are used for high cholesterol. Soybean oil is also used as a mosquito repellant and as a nutritional supplement in intravenous feedings.

Be careful not to confuse soybean oil with other soy products or avocado soy unsaponifiables.

Is It Effective?

Effectiveness header

NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

Likely effective
  • Mosquito repellant. Soybean oil is an ingredient in some commercial mosquito repellents. It seems to work about as well as some other mosquito repellents, including some products that contain about 4.7% DEET. But it doesn't last as long as products that contain 10% to 35% DEET.
Possibly effective
  • High cholesterol. Soybean oil in the diet seems to help lower total cholesterol and LDL (or "bad") cholesterol, but it might also lower HDL (or "good") cholesterol.

There is interest in using soybean oil for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Is it Safe?

Action

Soybean oil contains unsaturated fatty acids which might help to lower cholesterol levels.

Safety

When taken by mouth: Soybean oil is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in amounts normally found in food. There isn't enough reliable information to know if soybean oil is safe when used in the amounts found in medicine.

When applied to the skin: Soybean oil is LIKELY SAFE when applied to the skin as an insect repellent in recommended amounts.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Soybean oil is LIKELY SAFE when pregnant or breast-feeding when used as part of the diet. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if soybean oil is safe to use in the amounts found in medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Peanut or soybean allergy: People who are allergic to peanuts, and other plants that are members of the Fabaceae/Leguminosea family might also be allergic to soybean oil.

Drug interactions

It is not known if Soybean Oil interacts with any medicines. Before taking Soybean Oil, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.

Herb interactions

Blond psyllium: Blond psyllium reduces the absorption of fat from soybean oil.
Chlorogenic acid: Soybean oil might increase the amount of chlorogenic acid that the body absorbs from supplements.

Food interactions

There are no known interactions with foods.

Dosage

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

  • For high cholesterol: Foods containing soybean oil have been used.

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:

  • For mosquito repellant: Applying a 2% soybean oil product, such as Bite Blocker (HOMS LLC), to the skin every 2 hours has been used.
Other names

Aceite de Soja, Dolichos soja, Glycine gracilis, Glycine hispida, Glycine max, Glycine soja, Huile de Germes de Soja, Huile de Germes de Soya, Huile de Soja, Huile de Soya, Legume, Légumineuse, Phaseolus max, Soja hispida, Soja max, Soy Bean Oil, Soy Oil, Soya Oil, Soyca.

Disclaimer

Information on this website is for informational use only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While evidence-based, it is not guaranteed to be error-free and is not intended to meet any particular user’s needs or requirements or to cover all possible uses, safety concerns, interactions, outcomes, or adverse effects. Always check with your doctor or other medical professional before making healthcare decisions (including taking any medication) and do not delay or disregard seeking medical advice or treatment based on any information displayed on this website.

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