Research in camelina oil shows good cholesterol results
By Food in Canada staff
Research & Development
A section of Camelina crop against a clear blue sky. Camelina produces twice as much oil as soybeans and is becoming a popular alternative raw material for biodiesel and other biofuel production. Camelina contains 35% oil high in Omega-3 which is good for biofuel and livestock feed. University of Eastern Finland researchers say that camelina oil can bring down the LDL (bad) cholesterol for people who have an impaired glucose metabolism.
Camelina oil is from the seeds of the Camelina sativa, a wild flax plant of European origin that does well in cold climates.
It is high in Omega-3 fatty acids and contains vitamin E.
Researchers at the university worked with 79 participants with impaired fasting glucose concentrations. They were randomly divided into four groups: camelina oil; fatty fish; lean fish; and a control group – and were asked to eat their fish type four times a week, or take 30 ml of camelina oil each day. The testing was done over a 12-week period.
The results showed that camelina oil positively affected blood cholesterol levels, with better results than the fatty and lean fish options.
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