The benefits of camelina oil
Camelina oil is a natural product with a number of health benefits. It is used in cooking and medicine, but it also has a number of contraindications. Therefore, you need to use it carefully.
The benefits of camelina oil
Composition and value
Camelina oil has nothing to do with the mushroom of the same name. It is obtained not from mushrooms, but from the seed of an annual plant belonging to cereals and common in most territories of the Northern Hemisphere - the saffron milk cap.
Camelina is an erect plant with thin foliage and long inflorescences formed from small flowers. The source of oil concentrate in camelina is small, up to 1-2 mm, oblong seeds.
The plant received this name for the red color of the seeds.
The chemical composition of camelina oil from the camelina plant includes:
- vitamins, including tocopherols, K, D, retinol and F;
- phytosterols, phospholipids, chlorophyll, omega acids and antioxidants;
- mineral components, including phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, potassium, etc.
The main beneficial properties of camelina oil are contained in large proportions of linolenic fatty acids - omega-3 (there are about 39% of them) and omega-6 (about 18%). In small doses, it also contains the monounsaturated oleic acid compound omega-9.
Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
The term "omega-3", "omega-6" or "omega-9" refers to a carbon-carbon double bond (C = C) at the third, sixth, or ninth carbon atom, respectively, from the methyl end of the fatty acid (CH3–)
"Omega-3" and "Omega-6" acids refer to PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) that are not produced by the human body. We need to constantly receive them with food. Omega-3 acid is supplied to us by fish and seafood. Omega-6 predominates in vegetable fats and many vegetables. There is also a lot of it in fast food, fried meat and mayonnaise. As a result, there is an imbalance between the use of these acids. a person consumes more "Omega-6" than "Omega-3". As a result of this bias, there may be:
- inflammatory processes;
- increased cholesterol levels;
- allergic reactions;
- eating disorders;
- depression, etc.
To avoid this, you just need to reduce the amount of foods containing Omega-6 acid.
"Omega-9" acids are able to be synthesized in our body, but they, like the previous groups, have not yet been sufficiently studied.
The naturally occurring antioxidant tocopherol is more beneficial than cedar and flax pomace.
The calorie content of the camelina product is 900 kcal per 100 ml.
The product is obtained by 2 technological methods:
- Cold pressed: during the initial pressing, only up to 20% of the useful product is isolated from the seeds. With this method of pressing camelina seeds in camelina oil, the entire set of useful properties is preserved. Oil pomace has a sharp mustard flavor, characteristic aroma and yellow-golden color. The sphere of application of camelina oil is therapeutic and prophylactic.Cold pressed oil is called unrefined.
- Hot spin: the amount of oil obtained is increased by 5-8% due to heating the seeds and softening their shells to extract the hard-to-reach fraction. However, with a hot press with oxidative processes, a small proportion of useful components is destroyed, so it is subsequently purified from unnecessary compounds - refining. The oil pomace acquires a greenish color and loses its original taste and smell. The main users of hot-pressed camelina oil are culinary specialists.
The benefits of oil pomace
Oil strengthens hair and nails
Camelina oil is famous for its beneficial properties, because possesses bactericidal, decongestant, antitumor, regenerating and anti-inflammatory effects. Its benefits are provided by the constituents included in the chemical composition:
- a balanced set of acidic compounds of the "omega" group actively participates in lipid metabolism, stabilizes the functioning of the hormonal system, is responsible for strengthening the immune system, strengthens the elasticity of capillaries and blood vessels, eliminates excess cholesterol and is a therapeutic and prophylactic agent against such a serious disease as atherosclerosis;
- retinol (a form of vitamin A) acts as a natural regulator of metabolic processes occurring in the body, stabilizes metabolism and activates regeneration processes in cells, benefiting vision, bones, skin and mucous membranes;
- antioxidant E (vitamin E) is needed to strengthen hair, nails and skin;
- a mineral set, including, among other elements, magnesium and potassium, has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart muscle, stabilizing the heart and blood pressure indicators, improving the condition of the digestive organs and nerve cells;
- chlorophyll has a wound-healing and antibacterial effect, which increases the quantitative level of leukocytes and hemoglobin; it is useful for lung tissue, stomach and thyroid gland;
- the phospholipid composition has a positive effect on the liver, being a means of preventing cirrhosis;
- antitumor properties are endowed with phytosterols (phytosterols), which improve men's well-being, regulate the activity of the prostate gland.
Application features and limitations
Almost until the 50s of the twentieth century, camelina oil was actively used by the population on the territory of Russia. Then it was gradually replaced by sunflower. But its healing properties have not been forgotten.
As a therapeutic and prophylactic agent, camelina oil is drunk in 1 tbsp. once a day. They consume it in the morning 20-30 minutes before a meal, do not dilute it, do not drink it with liquid. The duration of the course is 30-90 days (depending on the disease). Initial improvements in the body's work are observed after 1-1.5 months.
application features:
- it does not harm women during pregnancy and lactation (its components are vital), therefore it is permissible for use and has a beneficial effect on the development of the fetus, acting as a source of necessary elements for mother's milk during feeding;
- the use of oil pomace from camelina by elderly people makes up for the need for vegetable fats, the daily intake of which, without harm to the body, is about 30 grams;
- the biological composition of camelina ensures the full development of the child, it is used in a reduced dosage.
Limitations
Among the contraindications is the exacerbation of pancreatitis, in which the use of plant-based oil formulations harms the body. Contraindications are possible due to the presence of individual intolerance and high calorie content of the product.
Conclusion
Camelina oil is obtained from the seeds of the cereal of the same name - the saffron milk cap.According to the production methods, cold and hot pressing are divided. Only the oil obtained during the primary - cold pressing is suitable for medicinal purposes. The product has a rich chemical composition. It is used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes and in the culinary industry. Has contraindications.
