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Are there any side effects of taking Epazote oil?
Are there any side effects of taking Epazote oil?
Expert opinion from Toni Tran
Reference: Microsoft Health Start:
Like eating peanut oil? Get serving size guidelines, health risks, and more Story by Kiran Dhaliwal, Master's Degree N
Like eating peanut oil? Get serving size guidelines, health risks, and more
Perspective from Kiran Dhaliwal
Possible Side Effects
- Peanut oil is likely safe for most people when consume as a food, however it can cause an allergic reaction in people who have a peanut allergy
- Peanut oil may not be the best for high-heat cooking as it does not have a high smoke point, which means it is more susceptible to oxidation which exposed to heat.
- Oxidative stress from high smoke points can lead to a build-up of free radicals in the body, which can increase oxidative stress leading to inflammation and different diseases.
Quantity Recommendation
- Total fat intake according to the Australian Dietary Guidelines is to keep the total fat intake between 20-35% of calories. Daily consumption of about 1.5 tablespoons of oils which contain high levels (>70%) oleic acid, when it is replacing fats and oils higher in saturated fats.
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Perspective from Luciana M. Cherubin
Possible Side Effects
- Peanut allergic individuals should avoid peanut oil.
- Peanut oil is high in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and is prone to oxidation, which may increase the risk of certain diseases.
Quantity Recommendation
- Due to the amount of omega-6 fatty acids, it is recommended to moderate its consumption and prefer healthier options such as coconut oil or olive oil.
Squalene Oil-What Are the Benefits
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Squalene Oil-What Are the Benefits
One of ancient Greek myths tells a story of the warrior-goddess Athena’s argument with the ruler of the seas Poseidon over who would be the protector of the beautiful city of Attica. Poseidon struck a rock with his trident and a fountain of salt water sprang out of it. In response Athena thrust her spear into the ground and it turned into an olive tree covered with fruit. The people of the city accepted Athena’s gift with gratitude and named the city in her honour—Athens is to this day the capital of Greece. As for Poseidon, he wasn’t one to let go of grudges easily, so he sent one of his sons to avenge him. Obedient to his father’s will, Halirrhothius tried in the dead of the night to cut down the olive tree, but his axe sprung back and struck him instead.
Olive groves were sacred in Greece and no mortal was allowed to cut down trees. The Olympic games champions were crowned with diadems made of olive branches gathered in the sacred groves and brides decorated their garments with olive leaves to celebrate their chastity. In the Roman Empire olive branch symbolised peace. It is still one of the important symbols of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Olive oil is still an essential part of anointing oil, used in Christian rituals of baptism, confirmation, ordaining and extreme unction.
Squalene is a fatty compound that is found in a number of vegetables--including olive oil--but is usually extracted from shark's liver, where it is found in high concentration. Squalene is produced by the human body, where it is used to synthesize hormones, cholesterol and vitamin D. Recently, squalene oil has been marketed for cosmetic use and for its reported effects on cancer and as an antioxidant supplement.
One of ancient Greek myths tells a story of the warrior-goddess Athena’s argument with the ruler of the seas Poseidon over who would be the protector of the beautiful city of Attica. Poseidon struck a rock with his trident and a fountain of salt water sprang out of it. In response Athena thrust her spear into the ground and it turned into an olive tree covered with fruit. The people of the city accepted Athena’s gift with gratitude and named the city in her honour—Athens is to this day the capital of Greece. As for Poseidon, he wasn’t one to let go of grudges easily, so he sent one of his sons to avenge him. Obedient to his father’s will, Halirrhothius tried in the dead of the night to cut down the olive tree, but his axe sprung back and struck him instead.
Olive groves were sacred in Greece and no mortal was allowed to cut down trees. The Olympic games champions were crowned with diadems made of olive branches gathered in the sacred groves and brides decorated their garments with olive leaves to celebrate their chastity. In the Roman Empire olive branch symbolised peace. It is still one of the important symbols of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Olive oil is still an essential part of anointing oil,
used in Christian rituals of baptism, confirmation, ordaining and extreme unction.
The base of olive oil consists of fatty acids, mostly (as much as 80% in some cases) oleic acid.
The contents of oleic acid in the oil depend on the sort of the tree, ripening conditions and harvesting time. The most valuable oil is the one that contains a maximum amount of oleic acid—usually it will also have a maximum amount of vitamins A and E with stimulating, healing and rejuvenating effect on the skin. Besides fats, olive oil contains polyphenols, their derivatives with antioxidant properties, squalene, terpenes and beta-sitosterol, lowering the level of cholesterol in the blood. It is squalene that helps clean the blood vessels. Vitamins B, C, F and K along with other beneficial ingredients produce a softening, healing and stimulating effect, not only quickly healing the wounds, but also slowing down the skin’s ageing.
Olive oil is considered one of the best basic ones to create essential oils compositions — it is hypoallergenic and neutral enough to preserve the qualities of other plant oils and extracts, and the olive oil-based compositions can be used for a variety of purposes.
Anyone with an interest in cosmetology would be interested to know about the numerous and diverse beneficial qualities of olive oil. Thanks to the high content of oleic acid, olive oil can impact the fat metabolism in the deep layers of the skin, which makes it a valuable ingredient of anti-cellulite solutions. With regular use olive oil smoothes out the skin, reduces cellulite and even makes the stretch marks less visible. Vitamins and antioxidants help the skin recover from ultraviolet damage, so olive oil is good for sunburns and restoring the skin after suntanning. Oleocanthal decreases the intensity of pain and inflammation, so olive-oil based solutions can be used to restore the skin after damage or injury, including aesthetic surgery, dermabrasion and laser resurfacing. Olive oil is also good for the hair, especially if a patient is suffering from seborrhea sicca or hair loss—applying the oil onto the scalp and hair prevents the appearance of scurf, strengthens the follicles and makes the hair shiny and elastic.
For many years olive oil has been used to care for dry skin.
It was believed that the application of pure oil onto dry skin would soften and nourish the skin, make it thicker and more resilient, restore its protective properties. However latest research has demonstrated that olive oil should not be used constantly—its fatty acids “melt” the lipid stratum of the skin’s upper layers, breaking through into the deeper layers like an ice-breaker. The skin’s own ability to retain water weakens and it dries up and becomes thin, quite the contrary of what you’d expect. Therefore, olive oil, like all vegetable oils actually, works best in the composition of cosmetic solutions. If the oil is applied in its pure form, its use needs to be limited to one-two weeks at a time with breaks in between to let the skin restore its protective system.
Olive oil is also a source of squalene — nonsaponifying fat found in olive stones.
Squalene oxidises easily, and for this reason is rarely used in cosmetic formulations, but its “cousin”, squalane, derived by hydrogenation of squalene, is not subject to auto-oxidation and therefore more stable.
Squalane obtained from olive oil is practically identical to human skin squalane, and this makes it suitable for application to nourish and soften all skin types at all ages. Squalane is one of the best emollients and softening agents, able to improve the skin’s barrier and protective properties, smooth out the skin surface and support its microbiome diversity. The contents of squalane in the upper layers of young healthy skin is close to 12%. With age the amount of squalane in the skin decreases, and the application of identical plant-origin squalane can improve the skin’s health as well as soften it. Studies confirm that squalane is able to penetrate into the skin relatively deep, soaking the lamellar structures of the keratinous layer. Squalane has high fluidity, which makes for very comfortable application of cosmetics — a product with squalane spreads effortlessly on the skin surface improving its look and feel.
Research demonstrated that the use of cosmetic products with squalane improves cell regeneration and oxygenation, helps prevent pigmentation, reduces UV damage and the depth of wrinkles, and can even bring relief to patients suffering from eczema, psoriasis or skin injury. Squalane is beneficial for acne, it is a natural prebiotic — an agent suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria and supporting microbiome diversity.
Squalane is very stable and not subject to oxidisation, which is very important for a cosmetic product’s shelf life, which is usually several years since manufacture.
One more huge benefit of plant-based squalane is that thanks to its biochemical synthesis from olive oil, cosmetic companies stopped using squalane derived from shark liver. Today, we’re happy to say, the production of squalane from sharks’ organs has stopped entirely, which helps preserve shark population in the world ocean.
Apart from face care, olive squalane is used in medical skincare for dermatoses patients, hand and feet creams, hair conditioners and masks, and as an enhancer to increase the penetration of other active ingredients into the deeper skin layers.
Cosmetic use
Squalene's chemical similarity to human skin sebum has made it a popular component in natural cosmetic formulas designed to soften and protect the skin. The antioxidant properties of squalene have also been touted as being very beneficial for many skin conditions. In a study published in the International Journal of Cancer in July 2006, squalene was found to protect the skin of mice from developing tumors when exposed to carcinogenic substances.
Cancer
Sharks are known for their apparent immunity to cancer, a property which may be due to the high amounts of sqaulene that they produce. A study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention in December 1997 found that squalene in olive oil may be responsible for disrupting the DNA synthesis sequence that causes cancer cells to grow. The authors speculate that the squalene in olive oil may be part of the low cancer incidence rate in the Mediterranean diet.
Antioxidant
Extra virgin olive oils have significantly higher levels of squalene and are considered to have more of the antioxidant effects that are so beneficial to heart health. In a study published in the journal Pharmacological Research in September 2004, researchers found that adding squalene to the diet of rats had a protective effect on heart function when they were purposely given isoproterenol, a compound known to cause heart complications.
Controversy
Squalene has also been recently used as adjunctive ingredient in vaccines, which has garnered much criticism and controversy. An article published on July 7, 2009 by Dr. Russell Blaylock on the website Newsmax claims that squalene was used in gulf war vaccines and may be responsible in part for gulf war syndrome. The article further claims that when squalene was injected into guinea pigs, they died.
Considerations
Since squalene is a natural product that can be found in high amounts in quality olive oils and shark liver, it can be supplemented in the diet without resorting to an isolated squalene product. If isolated squalene does indeed have potentially toxic effects, it is possible that the other compounds in olive oil and shark liver oil mediate these effects and render them beneficial rather than harmful.
Reference: leaf.tv. By Ocean Malandra
Is canola oil a superfood? Find out what the experts say, get serving sizes, and health benefits
Is canola oil a superfood? Find out what the experts say, get serving sizes, and health benefits
Perspective from Leticia Soares
Benefits
- Canola oil has cardioprotective effects. There are some studies that indicate that canola oil-based diets can reduce total cholesterol concentration in healthy or hypercholesterolemic individuals.
- Canola oil may help maintain healthy skin and eyes. The oil is a source of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that fights off free radicals on the skin and eyes, protecting them from damage.
- Canola oil is a source of vitamin K. The vitamin helps to produce proteins that are essential for blood clotting.
Quantity Recommendation
- The recommendation of canola oil is different for everyone. The general recommendation is to consume less than 30 percent of daily total energy intake from fats. Following this fat intake recommendation helps to prevent unhealthy weight gain.
Perspective from Felicitas Bouche Ocampo
Benefits
Cold pressed Canola can be included in small quantities in a balanced diet as part or the daily fat intake. An average healthy person can include, for example, 30-45 g of Canola Oil a day; amounts can vary according to other daily fat intakes and according to individual needs. Individuals should consult with health practitioners for more specific guidance related to food indication and quantity.Cold pressed Canola can be included in small quantities in a balanced diet as part or the daily fat intake.
An average healthy person can include, for example, 30-45 g of Canola Oil a day; amounts can vary according to other daily fat intakes and according to individual needs. Individuals should consult with health practitioners for more specific guidance related to food indication and quantity.d pressed Canola Oil provides vitamin E (antioxidant capacity) and healthy fatty acids that are important to include in an overall diet because they help maintain and reduce blood lipids and cholesterol levels, helping in the reduction of risk of cardiovascular disease.
Quantity Recommendation
- Cold pressed Canola can be included in small quantities in a balanced diet as part or the daily fat intake. An average healthy person can include, for example, 30-45 g of Canola Oil a day; amounts can vary according to other daily fat intakes and according to individual needs. Individuals should consult with health practitioners for more specific guidance related to food indication and quantity.
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Reference: Story by Leticia Soares, Postgraduate Degree
Milk Thistle - Seed Oil - 7 Science-Based Benefits
Milk Thistle Seed Oil - 7 Science-Based Benefits
Milk thistle is an herbal remedy derived from the milk thistle plant, also known as Silybum marianum.
This prickly plant has distinctive purple flowers and white veins, which traditional stories say were caused by a drop of the Virgin Mary’s milk falling onto its leaves.
The active ingredients in milk thistle are a group of plant compounds collectively known as silymarin.
Its herbal remedy is known as milk thistle extract. Milk thistle extract has a high amount of silymarin (between 65–80%) that has been concentrated from the milk thistle plant.
The silymarin extracted from milk thistle is known to have antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
In fact, it has traditionally been used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders, promote breast milk production, prevent and treat cancer and even protect the liver from snake bites, alcohol and other environmental poisons.
- Carrier oils have significant benefits for maintaining healthy and youthful skin. Milk Thistle Oil helps to soften the skin and also helps to repair, moisturize and condition the skin.
- Thistle Oil is a light oil that makes a good value base for massage blends. As an effective moisturizer, it maintains hydration levels in the skin thus reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Cold Pressed
- Thistle Seed Carrier Oil can be added to other carrier oils to add stability due to its vitamin E content. Thistle oil is used for its anti-aging, moisturizing, and skin-supporting benefits.
- Silybum marianum is an Oil for Skin and Hair. It is so rich with skin-enriching vitamins that it is currently considered to be the best oil for natural, anti-aging skincare products.
- Thistle oil absorbs quickly on the skin and does not leave a greasy residue. Add it to your daily beauty routine to take care of your wellness in such an easy and natural way.
Here are 7 science-based benefits of milk thistle.
1.Milk Thistle Protects Your Liver
Milk thistle is often promoted for its liver-protecting effects.
It’s regularly used as a complementary therapy by people who have liver damage due to conditions like alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis and even liver cancer.
It’s also used to protect the liver against toxins like amatoxin, which is produced by the death cap mushroom and is deadly if ingested.
Studies have shown improvements in liver function in people with liver diseases who have taken a milk thistle supplement, suggesting it could help reduce liver inflammation and liver damage.
Although more research is needed on how it works, milk thistle is thought to reduce damage to the liver caused by free radicals, which are produced when your liver metabolizes toxic substances.
One study also found that it may slightly extend the life expectancy of people with cirrhosis of the liver due to alcoholic liver disease.
However, the results from studies have been mixed, and not all have found milk thistle extract to have a beneficial effect on liver disease.
Thus, more studies are needed to determine what dose and length of treatment are needed for specific liver conditions.
And although milk thistle extract is commonly used as a complementary therapy for people with liver diseases, there’s currently no evidence that it can prevent you from getting these conditions, especially if you have an unhealthy lifestyle.
SUMMARYMilk thistle extract may help protect the liver against damage caused by disease or poisoning, though more research is needed.
2. It May Help Prevent Age-Related Decline in Brain Function
Milk thistle has been used as a traditional remedy for neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease for over two thousand years. .
Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties mean that it is possibly neuroprotective and could help prevent the decline in brain function you experience as you age .
In test-tube and animal studies, silymarin has been shown to prevent oxidative damage to brain cells, which could help prevent mental decline.
These studies have also seen that milk thistle may be able to reduce the number of amyloid plaques in the brains of animals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Amyloid plaques are sticky clusters of amyloid proteins that can build up between nerve cells as you age.
They are seen in very high numbers in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, meaning that milk thistle could potentially be used to help treat this difficult condition..
However, there are currently no human studies examining the effects of milk thistle in people with Alzheimer’s or other neurological conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s.
Moreover, it’s unclear whether milk thistle is well enough absorbed in people to allow adequate amounts to pass through the blood-brain barrier. It’s also unknown what doses would need to be prescribed for it to have a beneficial effect.
SUMMARYInitial test-tube and animal studies have shown that milk thistle has some promising characteristics that could make it useful for protecting brain function. However, it’s currently unclear if it has the same
3. Milk Thistle Could Protect Your Bones
Osteoporosis is a disease caused by progressive bone loss.
It usually develops slowly over a number of years and causes weak and fragile bones that break easily, even after minor falls.
Milk thistle has been shown in experimental test-tube and animal studies to stimulate bone mineralization and potentially be protective against bone loss.
As a result, researchers suggest that milk thistle may be a useful therapy for preventing or delaying bone loss in postmenopausal women.
However, there are currently no human studies, so its effectiveness remains unclear.
SUMMARYIn animals, milk thistle has been shown to stimulate bone mineralization. However, how it affects humans is currently unknown.
4. It May Improve Cancer Treatment
It’s been suggested that the antioxidant effects of silymarin may have some anticancer effects, which could be helpful for people receiving cancer treatment.
The animal studies have shown that milk thistle could be useful for reducing the side effects of cancer treatments.
It may also make chemotherapy work more effectively against certain cancers and, in some circumstances, even destroy cancer cells.
However, the studies in humans are very limited and have yet to show a meaningful clinical effect in people.
This may be because people aren’t able to absorb enough to get a medicinal effect.
More studies are needed before it can be determined how silymarin might be used to support people undergoing cancer treatment.
SUMMARYThe active ingredients in milk thistle have been shown in animals to improve the effects of some cancer treatments. However, human studies are limited and haven’t yet shown any beneficial effects.
5. It Can Boost Breast Milk Production
One reported effect of milk thistle is that it can boost breast milk production in lactating mothers. It’s thought to work by making more of the milk-producing hormone prolactin.
The data is very limited, but one randomized controlled study found that mothers taking 420 mg of silymarin for 63 days produced 64% more milk than those taking a placebo. .
However, this is the only clinical study available. More research is needed to confirm these results and the safety of milk thistle for breastfeeding mothers. .
SUMMARYMilk thistle may increase breast milk production in women who are lactating, though very little research has been done to confirm its effects.
6. It Could Help Treat Acne
Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. While not dangerous, it can cause scars. People may also find it painful and worry about its effects on their appearance.
It’s been suggested that oxidative stress in the body may play a role in the development of acne. .
Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, milk thistle may be a useful supplement for people with acne.
Interestingly, one study found that people with acne who took 210 milligrams of silymarin per day for 8 weeks experienced a 53% decrease in acne lesions (42).
However, as this is the only study, more high-quality research is needed.
SUMMARYOne study has shown that people taking milk thistle supplements experienced a decrease in the number of acne lesions on their body.
7. Milk Thistle Can Lower Blood Sugar Levels for People With Diabetes
Milk thistle may be a useful complementary therapy to help manage type 2 diabetes.
It’s been discovered that one of the compounds in milk thistle may work similarly to some diabetic medications by helping improve insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar.
In fact, a recent review and analysis found that people routinely taking silymarin experienced a significant reduction in their fasting blood sugar levels and HbA1c, a measure of blood sugar control .
Additionally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of milk thistle may also be useful for reducing the risk of developing diabetic complications like kidney disease.
SUMMARYMilk thistle may help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, though more high-quality studies are needed.
Is Milk Thistle Safe?
Milk thistle is generally considered safe when taken by mouth. .
In fact, in studies where high doses were used for long periods, only about 1% of people experienced side effects.
When reported, side effects for milk thistle are generally gut disturbances like diarrhea, nausea or bloating.
Some people are advised to be cautious when taking milk thistle. These include:
- Pregnant women: There is no data on its safety in pregnant women, so they are usually advised to avoid this supplement.
- Those allergic to the plant: Milk thistle may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae family of plants.
- People with diabetes: The blood sugar-lowering effects of milk thistle may put people with diabetes at risk of low blood sugar.
- Those with certain conditions: Milk thistle can have estrogenic effects, which may worsen hormone-sensitive conditions, including some types of breast cancer.
SUMMARYMilk thistle is generally considered safe. Nevertheless, pregnant women, those allergic to the Asteraceae family of plants, those with diabetes and anyone with an estrogen-sensitive condition should seek medical advice before taking it.
The Bottom Line
Milk thistle is a safe supplement that shows potential as a complementary therapy for various conditions, including liver disease, cancer and diabetes.
However, many of the studies are small and have methodological flaws, which makes it difficult to give firm guidance on this supplement or confirm its effects.
Overall, more high-quality research is needed to define the doses and clinical effects of this fascinating herb.
Reference: HealthLine:
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