Improving Blood Lipid Profile With Camelina Oil

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland suggests that overall cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism may be reduced with the use of camelina oil as published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.

The associations of fatty fish, lean fish, camelina oil, low grade inflammation, and glucose metabolism were analysed by the research team in this study. Camelina oil is a high content source of alpha linolenic acid, which is a plant based omega 3 fatty acid. Previous studies show that long chain omega 3 fatty acids that are found in fish and fish protein can have beneficial effects on risk factors that are associated with cardiovascular diseases. Research evidence that is relating to the effects of alpha linolenic acid on these risk factors is scarce.

79 men and women between the ages of 40 and 72 with impaired fasting glucose concentrations were involved in the conduction of this study. Participants were put randomly into 4 groups: a fatty fish group, a lean fish group, a camelina oil group, and a control group. Dependant upon which group the participants were put into they were instructed to consume either lean or fatty fish four times a week, or to take a 30ml dose of camelina oil daily for a period of 12 weeks. Participants in the control group were allowed to consume fish once per week and use of camelina oil or oils that contained alpha linolenic acid were strictly prohibited.

It was observed that the use of camelina oil  had a positive effect on the blood cholesterol levels, but there were no similar effects found for lean or fatty fish. No significant differences were noted in low grade inflammation or glucose metabolism between all the groups.