Oil
    Moderate Evidence

    Camelina Oil

    Camelina sativa

    TL;DR

    A hardy Canadian oilseed crop with an unusually high ALA omega-3 content (~35-40%) and a favorable omega-3:omega-6 ratio, plus natural antioxidants that make it more shelf-stable than flax oil.

    Ideal For

    • People wanting a shelf-stable ALA oil
    • Those improving their dietary omega-3:6 ratio
    • Anyone seeking an evidence-backed culinary oil swap for LDL

    Avoid If

    • You expect EPA/DHA-level effects from ALA alone
    • You need high-heat cooking oil

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Overview

    Camelina sativa (false flax) is an ancient oilseed that has re-emerged as a sustainable, cold-tolerant crop. Its oil is about 35-40% alpha-linolenic acid with a naturally low omega-6 fraction, and it carries high levels of tocopherols (vitamin E) that protect it from oxidation better than flaxseed oil. Human feeding trials, mostly from Finland, show camelina oil improves blood lipid markers: one RCT found it lowered LDL cholesterol comparably to fish oil diets and more than a control diet. It is a culinary oil rather than a therapeutic supplement, but among ALA oils it has one of the better evidence bases.

    How It Works

    • High ALA content provides modest conversion to EPA (limited by delta-6-desaturase)
    • Low omega-6 content improves the overall dietary omega-3:6 ratio
    • Native tocopherols and phytosterols reduce LDL oxidation and cholesterol absorption
    • ALA-rich diets associated with improved endothelial function markers

    Benefits & Outcomes

    Cholesterol Management

    Cardiovascular
    Likely effective
    Moderate Evidence
    Effectiveness 3/5

    Replacing saturated fat with camelina oil lowers LDL cholesterol in human trials, on par with oily-fish diets in at least one Finnish RCT.

    Health Concerns Addressed

    No linked health concerns yet.

    Supporting Research
    10 studies

    Camelina Sativa Oil, but not Fatty Fish or Lean Fish, Improves Serum Lipid Profile in Subjects with Impaired Glucose Metabolism: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    Score: 7/10
    2018
    rct
    n=79

    Schwab US, Lankinen MA, de Mello VD +1 more

    Camelina sativa oil reduced total and LDL cholesterol and the LDL-to-HDL ratio, whereas fatty fish and lean fish did not, in adults with impaired glucose metabolism.

    View source

    Camelina Sativa Oil, but not Fatty Fish or Lean Fish, Improves Serum Lipid Profile in Subjects with Impaired Glucose Metabolism - A Randomized Controlled Trial

    Score: 8/10
    2018
    rct
    n=79

    Schwab US, Lankinen MA, de Mello VD +2 more

    In the CSO group, total and LDL-cholesterol (C) concentrations decrease compared with the FF and LF groups.

    View source

    Effect of alpha-linolenic acid-rich Camelina sativa oil on serum fatty acid composition and serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects

    Score: 6/10
    2002
    rct
    n=60

    Karvonen HM, Aro A, Tapola NS +3 more

    Camelina oil raised serum alpha-linolenic acid markedly and lowered total and LDL cholesterol relative to baseline, performing comparably to rapeseed and olive oils.

    View source

    Efficacy of omega-3-rich Camelina sativa on the metabolic and clinical markers in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, controlled trial

    Score: 7/10
    2022
    rct
    n=46

    Musazadeh V, Dehghan P, Khoshbaten M

    CSO caused significant differences in weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, triglyceride, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) ... in the CSO group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.046 for all).

    View source

    The effect of intakes of fish and Camelina sativa oil on atherogenic and anti-atherogenic functions of LDL and HDL particles: A randomized controlled trial

    Score: 7/10
    2019
    rct
    n=79

    Manninen S, Lankinen M, Erkkila A +1 more

    Neither camelina oil nor fish intake changed the atherogenic or anti-atherogenic functional properties of LDL and HDL particles compared with control.

    View source

    Omega 3-rich Camelina sativa oil in the context of a weight loss program improves glucose homeostasis, inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with NAFLD: A randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial

    Score: 7/10
    2021
    rct
    n=46

    Musazadeh V, Dehghan P, Saleh-Ghadimi S +1 more

    The CSO supplementation led to significant differences in insulin concentration, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), hs-CRP, LPS, TAC, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, MDA and 8-iso-PGF2alpha between the two groups at end of the study.

    View source

    Intake of Camelina Sativa Oil and Fatty Fish Alter the Plasma Lipid Mediator Profile in Subjects with Impaired Glucose Metabolism - A Randomized Controlled Trial

    Score: 7/10
    2020
    rct
    n=79

    Meuronen T, Lankinen MA, Fauland A +2 more

    Concentrations of lipid mediators derived from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) increased and arachidonic acid (AA) derived 5-iso prostaglandin F2alpha-VI decreased in the CSO group.

    View source

    Camelina sativa Oil, Fatty Fish, and Lean Fish Do Not Markedly Affect Urinary Prostanoids in Subjects with Impaired Glucose Metabolism

    Score: 7/10
    2019
    rct
    n=72

    Erkkila AT, Lee JC, Lankinen M +2 more

    Our study showed that the proportion of ALA in plasma phospholipids increased in the CSO group.

    View source

    Co-supplementation of camelina oil and a prebiotic is more effective for improving cardiometabolic risk factors and mental health in patients with NAFLD: a randomized clinical trial

    Score: 6/10
    2021
    rct
    n=44

    Kavyani M, Saleh-Ghadimi S, Dehghan P +2 more

    Co-supplementing CSO and resistant dextrin significantly decreased the level of insulin concentration, HOMA-IR, hs-CRP, endotoxin, cortisol.

    View source

    The Effect of Crackers Enriched with Camelina Sativa Oil on Omega-3 Serum Fatty Acid Composition in Older Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial

    Score: 5/10
    2023
    rct

    De Giuseppe R, Di Napoli I, Tomasinelli CE +2 more

    Camelina sativa oil is one of the richest dietary sources of omega-3, with polyunsaturated fatty acids amounts of over 50%.

    View source

    Safety Information

    Potential Side Effects

    Well tolerated at culinary doses; no consistent adverse effects reported in trials.

    Drug Interactions

    • anticoagulants (theoretical)

    Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

    Pregnancy: insufficient_data

    Breastfeeding: insufficient_data

    Dosage Guidelines

    Dosage Used in Studies

    Consult healthcare provider

    Forms Compared

    Food & Timing

    With meals as a dietary fat replacement

    Medical Disclaimer

    The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any supplement regimen.

    Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.