Reducing Cholesterol with Culinary Argan Oil
Studies reveal that Argan Oil is one of the richest sources of omega fatty acids and plant sterols known for Cholesterol reduction.
The wide range of plant sterols and stanols are proven to have Cholesterol reducing effects. They also have other benefits for cardiovascular problems.
Recent research shows that essential fatty acids from plants were twice as effective as from fish oils for heart disease.
Cholesterol Research into Culinary Argan oil
It is now well known that phytosterols can lower cholesterol levels safely and effectively.
Studies show that 2-3 grams of phytosterols taken each day for just for 3-4 weeks can reduce LDL cholesterol levels by about 10% [16].
They also work with or without statin drugs and with none of the side effects [14].
These benefits come from taking in plant sterols naturally through diet.
Monounsaturated fatty acids reduce blood levels of LDLs (“bad cholesterol”) without affecting HDLs (“good cholesterol”) as long as they are used as a replacement for saturated fatty acids.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce blood levels of LDLs but HDLs too. However, they must be part of our diet since they provide essential fatty acids: linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid.
Studies of the sterols Spinasterol and sitosterol, naturally occuring sterols found in culinary Argan Oil, suggest that spinasterol, as well as sitosterol, and Stigmasterol [7] inhibit cholesterol absorption.[8]
Argan Oil is also rich in linoleic acid which increases the production of prostaglandins 1. This is beneficial for people with rheumatologic conditions and cardiovascular problems.
However, not all Omega fatty acids are the same.
In fact, studies identified that Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids derived from plant sources were much more effective for heart disease than those derived from fish oils!
Essential Fatty Acids from Plants vs Fish ►︎
How do Sterols and Stanols Reduce Cholesterol?
The reason for this observed effect is not fully understood. It is thought that they work because the chemical structure of sterols and stanols found in plants is very similar to cholesterol.
Taking in higher levels of natural plant sterols in your diet reduces absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.[6][9]
The Cell Membrane
There are many nutrients found in Culinary Argan Oil that are active in the maintenance and repair of the membrane that encloses the cells. Being rich in oleic acid culinary Argan Oil means that it is particularly interesting for the general regulation of blood cholesterol.
Furthermore, Argan is high in Saponins. Saponins are of interest for regulating blood sugar and may prove of benefit for the management of diabetes.
Saponins also reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol from fatty foods.
This may explain why multiple studies found that 1 to 2 tablespoons per day ( 15ml to 30ml of this oil during a month naturally maintain lower cholesterol levels.
“In a recent study Hyperlipidemia was induced by high calorie and cholesterol (HCC) diet administration in 16 rats. Eight rats were treated with culinary Argan oil (1 ml/100 g weight) daily by oral route during 7 weeks (treated group). Control animals were also fed with HCC diet for 7 weeks.[1]
After 7-week treatment with Argan oil, blood lipoproteins were significantly reduced. Total cholesterol decreased with 36.67% (P<0.01), low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol in 67.70% (P<0.001), triglycerides in 30.67% (P<0.05) and body weight in 12.7% (P<0.05). High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentration remained unaltered.
These results indicate the beneficial effect of edible Argan oil in the treatment of the hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. This effect will be related to the polyunsaturated fatty acids and other constituents of studied oil.”
Boosting HDL cholesterol Levels
Phenolic nutrients in edible Argan Oil help regulate cholesterol in a number of ways. By stopping, unwanted, LDL cholesterol oxidation and boosting healthy HDL cholesterol an overall beneficial improvement is obtained. [0] [2]
In a study, a total of 60 subjects were divided into two groups. After 21 days researchers discovered that good HDL cholesterol levels in the blood had gone up significantly in subjects taking an edible Argan Oil supplement.[3] High triglycerides levels in the bloodstream have been linked with cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and stroke. [4] Research revealed that the levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream were also reduced significantly in the culinary Argan oil test group.
The research was carried out on 96 subjects. One group of 62 participants consumed 15 ml of Argan Oil per day / around 1 tablespoon. Much lower LDL cholesterol levels as well as lower apo-B levels were found in tests on the Argan Oil group. Lipoprotein(a) concentrations were also found to be at a reduced level in the Argan Oil group. [5] Culinary Argan Oil consumption appears to inhibit the abnormal fatty deposits which develop within artery walls.
Note #1:Additional Phytosterols intake is not advised for people with the very rare inherited disease of phytosterolemia.[20]
Note #2: Post-menopausal women with coronary artery disease should seek professional medical advice before considering the use of Phytosterols for cholesterol reduction. Some studies suggest that blood tests be made to check for lowered lathosterol levels and the ratios of serum squalene, campesterol and sitosterol to cholesterol. [19]
Note #3: Men who already have a high risk of coronary heart disease are recommended to take professional medical advice to assess existing sitosterol concentrations and their sitosterol/cholesterol ratio before increasing phytosterol consumption. [21]
Note #4: Some brands of margarine and foods products advertise added plant sterols for the same reason.
Culinary Argan Oil 400 ml
Toasted Argan Oil for Cooking & Dietary Supplement
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