How To Lose Weight With Safflower Oil

Safflower oil comes from the herbaceous plant Carthamus tinctorius, also known as safflower. Traditional use of safflower was for its seeds, which enhanced the flavor of foods or added color. Presently, safflower seeds are pressed for their oil, which may help you lose weight when you consume it in moderation as part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Safflower oil used for cooking is naturally rich in monounsaturated fat, often referred to as "good" fat. If you're trying to lose weight, you may benefit from this oil.

Step 1

Cook using safflower oil in place of butter, margarine or other animal-based fats, which are high in saturated fat, which can quickly lead to unnecessary weight gain. Monounsaturated fat helps reduce low-density lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol, while raising high-density lipoprotein, or good cholesterol levels.

Step 2

Use safflower oil and vinegar for salad dressing or on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise and mayonnaise-based dressing, like ranch. Reducing high-calorie condiments can significantly improve your chances of weight loss.

Step 3

Consume about 1 2/3 tsp. of safflower a day, which may help reduce cardiovascular disease. According to a 2009 Ohio State University study, obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes experienced a significant reduction in cholesterol, blood sugar, insulin sensitivity and inflammation over a 16-week period of taking safflower oil.