Camelina Oil

Fatty-acidOmega-3Best with a meal

What is it

Camelina oil is pressed from the seeds of Camelina sativa (false flax, gold-of-pleasure), an ancient European oilseed crop being revived as a sustainable alternative oil. It is high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the plant omega-3 fatty acid.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Blood lipid markers

Good Evidence

Clinical studies show camelina oil reduces LDL cholesterol and improves lipid profile.

How it works

Camelina oil's fatty acid profile is approximately 35-45% ALA omega-3, 15-20% linoleic acid omega-6, and the rest mostly monounsaturates. ALA is essential and can be partially converted by the body to EPA and DHA, although conversion efficiency is low. Camelina oil also contains vitamin E (tocopherols), which provides antioxidant protection of the oil and modest dietary intake. The oil has been studied for cardiovascular health markers.

Dosage

No specific RDA. ALA AI: 1.6 g/day men, 1.1 g/day women. One tablespoon of camelina oil provides ~5 g of ALA.

When and how to take it

Used as a finishing or medium-heat oil with meals. Refrigerate after opening due to omega-3 oxidation risk.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Cold-pressed camelina oil

Culinary and finishing oil.

Higher antioxidant content.

Safety

Generally safe as a culinary oil. Glucosinolates in residual seed meal are a concern for animal feed but not the refined oil.

Who should be cautious

Use cautiously with anticoagulants at very high intake. No specific allergies commonly reported.

Interactions

High ALA intake may modestly affect anticoagulants.

Food sources

Camelina oil

Amount
1 tbsp / ~5 g ALA
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is camelina oil good for high-heat cooking?⌄

It has moderate heat tolerance, better than flax but lower than refined oils. Best for medium-heat or finishing use.

How does it compare to flax oil?⌄

Slightly lower ALA, more vitamin E, and more stable than flax oil.

References

Camelina Oil on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Camelina Oil on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Camelina Oil (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Camelina Oil with Pilora

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.