Safflower oil: discover how it can help with weight loss

You must have heard about the benefits of safflower oil, especially for those who practice physical activities and want to eliminate that unwanted belly fat.

But it is exactly there that a question stands out: is the practice of physical activities really necessary? Or is safflower oil so effective that it can be useful even for those who don’t exercise but are looking to lose some body fat?

Before clarifying this doubt, Pâmela Miguel, nutritionist at the Functional Nutrition Clinic of São Paulo, explains what safflower oil is and what benefits, in fact, it can offer. Check it out below:

What is safflower oil?

Pâmela Miguel explains that safflower oil is an oil extracted from the seeds of the Carthamus tinctorius plant, which is of Asian origin, and is rich in linoleic acid, known as omega 6. “Safflower oil also contains omega 9 and polyphenols in its composition. ”, he adds.

Safflower oil is available in capsule form at most health food stores and compounding pharmacies.

Safflower oil benefits

Pâmela explains that safflower oil, being rich in poly and monounsaturated fats, helps to promote satiety. “This is because it increases the production of the hormone leptin and also acts by blocking the action of the protein lipase enzyme (responsible for transporting fat from the bloodstream to the interior of the cells)”, he says.

Also according to the nutritionist, its content of omega 6 (linoleic acid) offers the following benefits:

• Helps protect against the formation of fatty plaques in arteries and veins;
• Protects against prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes;
• Prevents osteoporosis;
• Maintains skin health.

Nutritionist Pâmela explains that omega 9, also present in safflower oil, helps reduce blood triglycerides, reduces bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and increases good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol).

Pamela adds that safflower oil also contains vitamin E, which acts as a natural antioxidant preventing aging.

“Some studies also indicate that this oil can help increase fat burning, contributing to weight loss”, highlights the nutritionist.

Can safflower oil really help me lose weight?

This is probably the question you are asking yourself right now, especially after reading about the benefits that safflower oil offers.

According to nutritionist Pâmela, the weight loss promise of safflower oil may be related to the promotion of satiety caused by its consumption.

“Regarding fat burning, this will only happen effectively if the consumption of safflower oil is associated with the practice of physical activity, because only in this way will the oxidation of fat, stimulated by omega 6, occur and the fat will be used as form of energy”, highlights the professional.

Pamela adds that when the consumption of safflower oil is not associated with physical activity, the oxidation of fat will occur, however, this will not be used as a form of energy and may accumulate in organs, such as the liver. Therefore, this point deserves a lot of attention!

Who should consume safflower oil?

With the information above, it is clear: the consumption of safflower oil is aimed at practitioners of physical activity, as highlighted by Pâmela Miguel.

“People who have hepatic steatosis (liver fat) should avoid consumption”, warns the nutritionist.

For all these reasons, although safflower oil does not require a prescription to be purchased, it is important that you only start using it following the guidelines of your doctor and/or nutritionist.

Check out some product options and their prices in national stores:

Safflower oil consumption

Pâmela Miguel explains that consumption should be one or two capsules before and after physical activity; or before lunch and dinner.

It is worth mentioning that safflower oil does not work miracles: its consumption must be associated with a healthy diet.

Safflower oil side effects

As nutritionist Pâmela has already pointed out, when not associated with physical activity, the consumption of safflower oil can promote the accumulation of fat in organs such as the liver.

Another important point, according to the professional, is that, as it is rich in omega 6, a fatty acid present in large amounts in food, safflower oil can favor the production of inflammatory substances in the body. “For omegas 3, 6 and 9 to have beneficial and anti-inflammatory effects on our body, they need to be in balance. Our diet is poor in omega 3 sources and rich in omega 6 sources, so this excess omega 6 in the body becomes inflammatory,” she explains.

For this reason, adds nutritionist Pâmela, safflower oil, in addition to being associated with physical activity, should also be associated with the consumption of omega 3.

Reports from those who have taken safflower oil

Julia Soares, 24, says that she already practiced physical activities and, at the suggestion of her nutritionist and her personal trainer, started taking safflower oil. “I was told that it would take some time to start seeing results and it really was, but it was worth it. In the third month, when I took measurements at the gym, I saw that I had lost a few more inches in the abdomen area,” she says.

Tatiana Medeiros, 31, didn’t have much “patience” to wait for the results. “I took it for a month, but I didn’t lose measurements… Then, as I ended up not going to the gym for a few days, I also stopped taking the oil. But I think I didn’t achieve good results exactly because I didn’t follow the instructions correctly. Capsules must be taken daily and also be associated with a healthy diet, in addition to physical activities, to take effect. And I didn’t follow all that,” she comments.

Regina Munhoz, 33, has been taking safflower oil for over a year. “But, of course, I also do physical activities. I think the oil helps a lot and my gut actually works fine after I started taking it,” she says.

Now you already have good information about safflower oil, but remember: although it can offer many benefits – which go beyond the issue of weight loss – it is important to consult a doctor or nutritionist before starting its consumption.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.