The effect of camelina oil (α-linolenic acid) and canola oil (oleic acid) on lipid profile, blood pressure, and anthropometric parameters in postmenopausal women

INTRODUCTION: Cold-pressed camelina oil (Camelina sativa) is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and may have a beneficial effect on the reduction of cardiovascular risk. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated the parameters contributing to the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as dietary intake, nutritional status, blood pressure, and lipid profile. Sixty postmenopausal women with dyslipidaemia were randomly assigned to two oil groups: camelina oil and canola oil. The subjects consumed daily 30 g of the test oils for 6 weeks. Before and after dietary intervention, the assessment of nutrition (4-day dietary recall), anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, and blood pressure were evaluated. RESULTS: During the dietary intervention, decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in both groups (15 mg/dl (0.4 mmol/l) reduction in the camelina oil group and 11 mg/dl (0.3 mmol/l) reduction in the canola oil group) was observed. In this study a decrease of waist circumference (approx. 1 cm) in the two groups was observed. In the group of women consuming camelina oil, a significant decrease of waist-to-hip ratio was seen. In the other anthropometric parameters no statistically significant changes were observed (body weight, body fat mass). After the intervention, no significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were noticed. CONCLUSIONS: The camelina and canola oil intake contributed to reduction of the consumption of saturated fatty acids in the diet, had a positive influence on the lipid profile parameters, and decreased the waist circumference, which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.