Health Measures Improved by Safflower Oil

New research has concluded that just a daily dose of this common cooking oil for just four months (16 weeks) can aide in improving health effects such as good cholesterol, blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, type 2 diabetes.

Prior to this the same researchers had discovered that safflower oil had decreased abdominal fat and increased muscle tissue in a group of women, after being on a safflower supplement for sixteen weeks.

The combination of health effects that this oil provides is associated to improving metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms that can increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Based upon this new discovery has led lead researcher, Dr. Martha Belury, Ph.D, R.D., professor of human nutrition at Ohio State University, to recommend a daily dose (1 2/3 teaspoon) of this oil in the diet daily for the safest way to aide in decreasing the risk for cardiovascular disease.

Professor Belury stated that the women who had participated in the study did not replace anything in their diet with the oil they simply added it to their current diet. There are people who required a little more of good fat especially women at obese levels with diabetes.

Professor Belury does believe that the evidence of this research suggest that people need to make sure they receive a serving of healthy oil in their diets daily, such as oil and vinegar dressing on their salad or used for cooking. This recommendation is for everyone.

The research appears online and is scheduled for publication in future print in the journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Vital ingredients of the oil

Safflower oil has the highest source of polyunsaturated fats than in any other kind of vegetable oil. It contains nearly 79% of polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid) along with 13% of monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid) and a mere 8% of saturated fatty acids. Other vital nutrients contained in this oil are omega 6 fatty acids, cis-linoleic acid, vitamin E and more. With this oil containing these ingredients it is noted to provide numerous health benefits

Health Benefits

Due to the high amounts of polyunsaturated fats it aides in the generating of prostaglandins in the human body. These hormone like compounds help in the strengthening of cell membranes and proper functioning of the body.

One of its greatest benefits is it gives an effective way to eliminate excess fat that has accumulated in the body, which provides weight loss. Brown fat is in several areas of the body which is a major component in burning calories. When the cis-linoleic acid is changed into gamma linoleic acid that activates the brown fat to burn calories.

Safflower oil aides in decreasing the levels of cholesterol in the blood which decreases the risk for heart disease. It also aides in strengthening the immune system which allows the body to have resistance against certain type of infections and diseases.

Many practitioner and dieticians advocate the use of this oil in obese individuals with diabetes. Research has revealed in a study that older women who were obese and had diabetes, after taking the supplements for four months had lost excess body fat and had a remarked decrease in their blood sugar levels. It also has been noted as an effective method to cure PMS. By consumption of the oil instead of hormonal drugs it aides to regulate menstrual cycles, which rids the problems of irregular cycles.

This oil also aides in hair growth and health skin due to its vitamin E content. People with dry, permed and colored hair are recommended to receive a safflower oil massage for healthy hair such as Indian Head massage. This oil has no odor and is mild with a texture being so light it absorbs right into the scalp. People that suffer from excess hair loss can have hair regrowth with an application of this oil to the hair.

People with dry skin can use this oil to moisture the skin especially in winter months. It will make the skin smooth and healthy. It also works well as an acne treatment and also when applied on the skin helps to eliminate the skin of other problems such as scars and wrinkles.

It can be used as a cooking oil and in salads as a dressing.

Side effects warning

This oil does come from the plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Many people that are allergic or hypersensitive to plants of this family or Compositae family such as daisy, ragweed and marigolds.

Allergies to these plant families can produce reactions of the following kind:

Nausea

Vomiting

Belching

Loose stools

Diarrhea

Loss of appetite

Indigestion

Chills or shivering

Dizziness

Headaches

Sleepiness

Sweating

Chest and back pain

These side effects most of the times disappear in a few days and are mild in nature. There can be some serious adverse effects such as:

Hyperthermia

Hyperlipemia

Dyspnea

Severe chest pain

Thrombocytopenia

Hypercoagulability

Transient increase in the liver enzymes

When this oil is taken as part of a health diet it generally does not give any serious adverse effects. If consumed in large amounts it could lead to severe complications.

Women who breast feed should not take this oil. Consult your practitioner prior to adding this oil to your diet in order to prevent any side effects.

Sources:

Medical News Today

Buzzle