Safflower Oil Reduces Belly Fat

The Cinical Study that Supports the Health Claim

Aug 11, 2009

Safflower Oil from the seeds of "Carthamus tinctoria" is rich in linoleic acid - a polyunsaturated fat. It's a promising new tool against obesity and type 2 diabetes.

A new randomized double-blind crossover trial indicates that safflower oil may help type 2 postmenopausal diabetic women achieve better fasting blood glucose and lose abdominal fat. The study led by Dr. Martha Belury involved 55 obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Most were on antidiabetic, high blood pressure, and cholesterol-lowering drugs.

The women were instructed not to change their diets, or exercise patterns over the course of the study. Lead researcher Belury stated "I never would have imagined such a finding. This study is the first to show that such a modest amount of linoleic-acid rich oil may have a profound effect on body composition in women." The women took a daily dose of 1-2/3 teaspoons of safflower oil."

Postmenopausal women tend to lose muscle while gaining fat (adipose tissue) around their abdomens. This investigation shows dietary oil can complement lifestyle and medication in helping older diabetic women.

Results: Although safflower oil did not lower total body fat, it did reduce abdominal (belly) fat by 2.3 pounds and 4.2 pounds, or an average of 6.3%. It also increased lean muscle mass by an average of 1.4 pounds and 3 pounds. Moreover, it reduced fasting blood sugar levels by 11 and 19 points.

Belury stated: "Lowering fasting blood sugar is important for these women. The overall effect in just 16 weeks won't bring them back to normal, but safflower oil still improved it significantly." Safflower oil increased adiponectin levels in the subjects - a hormone that helps the body to "burn" dietary fats more efficiently.The study was published online (ahead of print version) on June 17, 2009 in the Am J Clinical Nutrition.

Safflower oil comes from the seeds of Carthamus tinctoria . It is believed that it originated in Afghanistan, the Nile Valley or Ethiopia. From these places, it spread throughout the Mediterranean region and was carried to the New World by the Spaniards. It was also brought to China. Today, it is commercially grown in California and Southern Australia.

Safflower oil is rich in linoleic acid or Omega-6. It is an essential fatty acid (cannot be synthesized by the human body) and must therefore be supplied by the diet. Safflower oil contains the highest amount of linoleic acid of any known seed. Because it is easily oxidized, it needs an antioxidant such as vitamin E to prolong its shelf life. It is particularly suitable for products that normally require refrigeration such as salad oils and margarines.

Nutritional Content of Safflower Oil Per Teaspoon

References

Belury M et al. " Comparison of Dietary CLA with Safflower Oil on Body Composition in Obese Postmenopausal Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus" American Journal of Clinical Nutrition June 17, 2009 (Epublished ahead of print)

Hsu SC & Huang CJ "Reduced Fat Mass in Rats Fed High Oleic Acid - Rich Safflower Oil Diet is Associated with Changes in Expression of Hepatic PPAR (alpha) and Adipose SREBP-1c-Regulated Genes" Journal of Nutrition July 1 2006; 136(7(:1779-1785

Shimoya Y et al. "Less Body Fat Accumulation in Rats Fed a Safflower Diet Than in Rats Fed a Beef Tallow Diet" Journal of Nutrition June 7, 1990

Note: This is not an advertisement for President's Choice. The author did not receive funding from this organization.

The copyright of the article Safflower Oil Reduces Belly Fat in Healthcare Research is owned by Alicia Richardson. Permission to republish Safflower Oil Reduces Belly Fat in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.