Camelina oil and cholesterol – does camelina oil support heart health?

Camelinaöljy kolesteroli – laskeeko Camelinaöljy kolesterolia?

Camelina oil has gained attention in recent years, especially due to its omega-3 content. Many people are now wondering about a very concrete question: “how does camelina oil affect cholesterol?” This article will review the research evidence, mechanisms, and practical tips – in plain language, but based on science.

This text is for general information purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol or are taking medication, always consult your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet.

What is camelina oil?

Camelina oil is extracted from the seeds of the Camelina sativa plant, also known as camelina, linseed, or camelina.

The fatty acid composition makes camelina oil exceptional:

  • seeds often contain over 40% oil , of which up to 90% are unsaturated fatty acids

  • The proportion of polyunsaturated fats in the oil is approximately 50–66% , of which

    • about 30–40% is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3)

In practice, this means that camelina oil is:

  • vegetable oil rich in omega-3

  • significantly softer in fat than, for example, butter or many animal fats

In addition, camelina oil naturally contains vitamin E (tocopherols) and other antioxidants, which improve the shelf life of the oil and help maintain good quality fatty acids.

Impola Kasvitila camelina oil as an example

Impola Kasvitila's camelina oil is a good, concrete example of what high-quality camelina oil can be in practice:

  • It is cold-pressed from domestic camelina seeds.

  • is produced on a Finnish family farm, which makes the product traceable and locally produced

  • its fat profile is focused on soft, polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids

  • mild, slightly nutty flavor is suitable for both cold and mildly heated use

Impola Kasvitila's camelina oil is therefore an excellent substitute for butter, hydrogenated vegetable fats and other hard fats when you want to support heart health and cholesterol levels.

Camelina oil and cholesterol – what do the studies say?

Camelina oil has been studied in several randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses. Below is a summary of the main findings.

1. Randomized trial in patients with impaired glucose metabolism

A study from the University of Eastern Finland compared camelina oil, fatty fish, low-fat fish, and a control diet in people with impaired glucose metabolism . Participants consumed 30 ml of camelina oil daily for 12 weeks.

Results in brief:

  • total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol decreased significantly in the camelina oil group

  • No similar clear decrease was seen in the fatty or lean fish groups

  • camelina oil also improved the structure of lipoproteins (including a reduction in atherogenic particles)

Conclusion: camelina oil can improve blood lipid levels, especially in risk groups, when used regularly as part of the diet.

2. Hypercholesterolemic (high cholesterol) adults

Another study examined the effect of camelina oil in mildly to moderately hypercholesterolemic individuals . Camelina oil:

  • lowered LDL cholesterol by about 12% , which was of the same order of magnitude as rapeseed and olive oil

  • increased blood levels of ALA and its metabolites

Conclusion: camelina oil is at least as good an option as canola oil and olive oil when the goal is to lower LDL cholesterol.

3. Meta-analysis: compilation of multiple studies

A meta-analysis (a systematic review of randomized clinical trials) published in 2022 evaluated the effect of camelina oil supplementation on blood lipid levels and sugar metabolism.

According to the results:

  • camelina oil supplementation ( less than 30 g/day ) particularly improved total cholesterol in longer studies (>8 weeks)

  • the effect on triglycerides and HDL varies from study to study

  • Overall, camelina oil can be a useful non-pharmacological means of improving lipid profiles when the dosage is moderate and part of a healthy diet.

It is worth noting that some of the newer analyses are more cautious in their conclusions – not all studies show the same clear effect, so the evidence is promising but not entirely conclusive.

How can camelina oil affect cholesterol?

Based on research, the potential cholesterol benefits of camelina oil are based on several factors:

1. High omega-3 (ALA) content

Camelina oil generally contains 30–40% alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3) of all fatty acids , which is significantly higher than many other vegetable oils used in the diet.

DO NOT:

  • is an essential fatty acid

  • can be converted to small amounts of EPA and DHA in the body

  • has been associated with improved lipid profiles and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in population studies and clinical trials

2. Replacing hard fat with soft fat

Camelina oil is often used as a substitute for:

  • win

  • cream

  • hydrogenated vegetable fats

When saturated fat is replaced with polyunsaturated fat , numerous nutritional studies show that:

  • LDL cholesterol decreases

  • long-term cardiovascular disease risk decreases

Camelina oil acts as such a “soft fat” that can be used to practically reduce hard fats.

3. Antioxidants and the “quality” of lipoproteins

Vitamin E and other antioxidants in camelina oil may help reduce the oxidation of LDL particles, which is considered a harmful process for atherosclerosis.

Additionally, some studies have found that camelina oil has an effect on:

  • The size and composition of LDL and HDL particles , which can reduce the atherogenicity (arteriosclerosis) of lipoproteins

In other words, it's not just about the total cholesterol value, but also about the type of particles that carry cholesterol.

How much camelina oil is needed?

In studies, the typical daily dose has been:

  • about 20–30 g of camelina oil per day (2–3 tablespoons), for a duration of 6–12 weeks

Based on meta-analysis:

  • less than 30 g/day seems to be a reasonable and sufficient dose, as camelina oil replaces other fat , and is not just an addition to the total fat amount

Practical tip:

  • start with 1 tablespoon a day

  • increase the dose to 2–3 tablespoons if the total energy intake remains balanced

  • at the same time, reduce butter and other hard fats – otherwise the benefits may remain small

Impolan Kasvitila's camelina oil in practice

When you are wondering how to bring camelina oil into your everyday life, Impolan Kasvitila's camelina oil is an easy and practical option:

  • cold-pressed, domestic oil

  • Its mild, slightly nutty flavor makes it a great addition to a variety of dishes.

  • In terms of its composition, it offers exactly the soft fats and omega-3 fatty acids that have been discussed in this article.

Usage ideas:

  • salad dressings – as is or with lemon/wine vinegar

  • on top of ready-made dishes – soups, woks, baked root vegetables, as a side dish for fish and meat

  • into porridge, yogurt or smoothies – 1 tablespoon adds soft fat and increases satiety

  • mild frying and baking – camelina oil withstands heating reasonably well, but some of its uses should be kept cold to preserve the omega-3 fats as best as possible

When you replace, for example, the butter on your morning or evening bread and some of the cooking fat with Impola camelina oil, the overall fat quality shifts to a softer and more heart-friendly direction.

Who is camelina oil suitable for?

Camelina oil may be a particularly good choice if:

  • your cholesterol levels are elevated and you want to support their management with diet

  • you now use a lot of butter or other hard fats and want to switch to softer alternatives

  • you want to add plant-based omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) to your diet

Frequently asked questions: camelina oil and cholesterol

Does camelina oil really lower cholesterol?

There is no single food that is guaranteed to lower cholesterol in everyone. But:

  • Several clinical trials and meta-analyses show that camelina oil can lower total and LDL cholesterol when it replaces saturated fats in the diet.

Individual differences are still large, and confirmation can only be obtained from blood tests.

Can camelina oil replace cholesterol medication?

No. You should never stop or change your medication on your own.

Camelina oil – for example, Impola Kasvitila’s camelina oil – is:

  • part of the diet , not a medicine

  • a good tool alongside other heart-friendly lifestyles (exercise, weight management, non-smoking, high-fiber diet)

How quickly are the effects visible?

Studies have typically found effects on blood lipid levels:

  • Within 4–12 weeks of regular use, when the dose is approximately 20–30 g/day and the rest of the diet supports the change in fat quality

Summary: camelina oil, cholesterol and the role of Impola Plantation

In summary:

  • Camelina oil is a vegetable oil with an exceptionally high omega-3 content, with a high proportion of soft fat and a low proportion of saturated fat.

  • Research evidence suggests that camelina oil can improve blood lipid profiles (particularly total and LDL cholesterol) and also have a beneficial effect on lipoprotein quality when used in moderate amounts and in place of hard fats.

  • Impolan Kasvitila's camelina oil practically offers just such a profile: a domestic, cold-pressed, omega-3-rich oil that is easy to use in everyday life, which can replace some of the butter and other hard fats.

If you want to support your cholesterol levels naturally:

  1. Replace some of your butter and hard fats with Impolan Kasvitila camelina oil (1–3 tablespoons/day as part of your diet).

  2. Otherwise, stick to a heart-friendly diet (fiber, whole grains, vegetables, moderate energy intake).

  3. Monitor your cholesterol levels regularly and discuss the results with your doctor.

This way, camelina oil, and specifically Impolan Kasvitila's camelina oil, can be a natural and easy part of a whole that supports both cholesterol and heart well-being.

 

Sources

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