Impact of Palm Oil Consumption on Hypercholesterolemia in Ivorian Subjects

Palm oil is widely consumed in Côte d'Ivoire and is accused of causing hypercholesterolemia, which justifies the evaluation of the impact of its consumption on the increase in total cholesterol in Ivorian people. This was a prospective cross-sectional analytical study involving 2862 palm oil consumers over a 11-month period. The study was carried out in the health districts of Côte d'Ivoire and in the medical biochemistry laboratory from medical Teaching School. The majority of subjects in this study consumed palm oil i.e. 98.8% of the 2862 surveyed. A lipid profile was performed: total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in these subjects. Female are predominant (51.1%) and the mean age was 39.75 ± 14.31 years. Palm oil consumption was reported by 82.9% of individuals with hypercholesterolemia and 85.0% of those without hypercholesterolemia, showing no significant difference (p = 0.720) They had a mean total cholesterol level of 1.8±0.5 g/L and an atherogenicity index of 4.3±1.6. However, there was no significant correlation with the quantity of palm oil consumed. In this dataset, palm oil consumption does not appear to be a significant predictor of hypercholesterolemia in the Ivorian population. Overall, although no statistically significant association was found between palm oil consumption and hypercholesterolemia, it is essential to consider other potential factors that may affect cholesterol levels. Given its beneficial biochemical properties and various health benefits, regular consumption of this oil should still be encouraged.