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Dr. Grey AI

Supplement

Safflower Oil

Safflower oil is a vegetable oil pressed from safflower seeds, and it supplies unsaturated fats such as linoleic acid that the body uses to build cell membranes and store energy. People with type 2 diabetes look at it for blood sugar, but the evidence is very limited, and research found no clear difference in blood glucose or body fat. Only 35 participants were involved, so this work can't say much either way.

Best evidence
Grade D
Conditions studied
5
Outcomes
33
Graded outcomes
0006

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

5 conditions

Type 2 Diabetes: outcomes studied for Safflower Oil
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

No effect

NoneNo effect35 people
Body Fat

No effect

NoneNo effect35 people
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves (the measure goes down)35 people
Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)35 people
HbA1cImproves (the measure goes down)35 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)35 people
InsulinChanges; see studies35 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)35 people
Muscle MassImproves (the measure goes up)35 people
TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)35 people
WeightImproves (the measure goes down)35 people

High Cholesterol: outcomes studied for Safflower Oil
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

No effect

NoneNo effect35 people
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves (the measure goes down)35 people
Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)35 people
HbA1cImproves (the measure goes down)35 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)35 people
InsulinChanges; see studies35 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)35 people
TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)35 people

Menopause

  • Blood glucose
  • C-Reactive Protein (CRP): improves
  • Glycemic Control: improves
Menopause: outcomes studied for Safflower Oil
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

No effect

NoneNo effect35 people
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves (the measure goes down)35 people
Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)35 people
HbA1cImproves (the measure goes down)35 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)35 people
InsulinChanges; see studies35 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)35 people
TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)35 people

Body Composition

  • Body Fat
  • Muscle Mass: improves
  • Weight: improves
Body Composition: outcomes studied for Safflower Oil
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Body Fat

No effect

NoneNo effect35 people
Muscle MassImproves (the measure goes up)35 people
WeightImproves (the measure goes down)35 people

Weight Loss & Maintenance

  • Body Fat
  • Muscle Mass: improves
  • Weight: improves
Weight Loss & Maintenance: outcomes studied for Safflower Oil
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Body Fat

No effect

NoneNo effect35 people
Muscle MassImproves (the measure goes up)35 people
WeightImproves (the measure goes down)35 people

Key findings

  • Blood glucoseType 2 Diabetes
  • Body FatType 2 Diabetes

Shop Safflower Oil

Third-party tested Safflower Oil products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.

  • Grade D

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Studies cited

2 studies from PubMed

  1. Time-dependent effects of safflower oil to improve glycemia, inflammation and blood lipids in obese, post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-masked, crossover studyClin Nutr · PMID 21295383
  2. Comparison of dietary conjugated linoleic acid with safflower oil on body composition in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitusAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 19535429