Wheat germ oil, made from the embryo of the wheat kernel, is a good source of several essential nutrients. Wheat germ oil is sold as a dietary supplement both in liquid oil form and as capsules. Like other unsaturated fats, Wheat germ oil may lower cholesterol, among other benefits.
Vitamin E
A serving of wheat germ oil supplies 102 percent of your daily vitamin E, with 20 mg per tbsp, according to Wolfram Alpha. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant by interfering with the production of reactive oxygen species, often called ROS. Reactive oxygen species, which form from unpaired electrons interact with oxygen, can damage cell DNA and may lead to diseases such as heart disease or cancer. While clinical trials have not always shown expected benefit in preventing heart disease, an article published by the Human Nutrition Research on Aging suggested a possible explanation. The article, published in the August 2007 issue of "Free Radical Biology and Medicine" hypothesized that previous clinical trials may have used inadequate doses of vitamin E as well as forms of the vitamin not well-absorbed. Longer studies with higher doses of vitamin E may be necessary to determine its value as a preventative for heart disease.
Unsaturated Fats
Wheat germ oil contains 14 g of total fat in a 1 tbsp serving, according to Wolfram Alpha, with 3 g of saturated fat and 11 g of unsaturated fat, the fat most beneficial for lowering cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends decreasing your saturated fat intake to no more than 7 percent of your daily intake and replacing them with unsaturated fats like wheat germ oil for cooking whenever possible. When considering the potential value of wheat germ oil as a supplement, the European Food Safety Authority noted that it had the same value as other oils containing omega-6 fatty acids linoleic acid and on alpha-linolenic acid in lowering cholesterol levels but no additional benefits.
Phytoesterol
Wheat germ oil contains phytosterols, plant-derived substances similar in function and structure to cholesterol, but phytosterols can lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol in humans, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. A May 2000 study published in the "Journal of Lipid Research" by McGill University researchers studied the effects of 1.84 g of phytosterols per day on cholesterol absorption. Researchers reported that cholesterol absorption decreased while biosynthesis decreased, resulting in a lowering of total and LDL cholesterol. A serving of wheat germ oil contains 75 mg of phytosterols; approximately 2.5 servings per day could supply 1.87 g per day.
Policosanols
Wheat germ oil also contains octacosanol, a type of policosanol. Policosanols, waxy concentrated alcohols, also have cholesterol-lowering effects. Researchers from Purdue University who conducted a meta-analysis of 52 studies found that policosanols lowered total and LDL cholesterol more effectively than plant sterols or placebo. Study results were published in the February 2005 issue of "Pharmacology." Wheat germ is one of the richest sources of octacosanol, according to the Nutritional Supplements Database. You may need to take policosanols for months before any cholesterol-lowering benefit is achieved, however, the same source notes.
References
- Wolfram Alpha: Wheat Germ Oil; 2010
- Nutros: Wheat Germ Oil;
- European Food Safety Authority: EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); 2010
- "Pharmacology;" Meta-analysis of Natural Therapies for HyperlipidemiaV Plant Sterols and Stanols Versus Policosanol; J. Chen et al.; February 2005
- "Journal of Lipid Research;" Modulation of Plasma Lipid Levels and Cholesterol Kinetics by Phytosterol Versus Phytostanol Esters; P. Jones et al.; May 2000
- American Heart Association: Know Your Fats; January 2010
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