Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients found in many foods, including many vegetable oils. Omega-3 fatty acids are effective in reducing cholesterol levels and preventing heart disease. Common examples of omega-3 fatty acids include docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, MayoClinic.com reports. Castor oil contains some omega-3 fatty acids among a variety of other compounds.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is a compound extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, the American Cancer Society explains. This herb is native to Africa and India, but is grown in other parts of the world. Castor oil is typically used as a laxative and also as a way to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to cancerous cells. Obstetricians also use castor oil to induce labor in difficult cases, Drugs.com notes. Dosage varies depending on the reason you are taking the castor oil, but 120 mL is typically the largest dose given.
Chemical Composition
Castor oil is composed of numerous chemicals, mostly forms of fat called triacylglycerol, or TAG. The most abundant molecule in castor oil is ricinoleic acid, according to a 2003 article in "Phytochemical Analysis." Other components of castor oil include palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, eicosenoic acid and linoleic acid. Castor oil also contains a small amount of linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty acid. The amount of omega-3 oil in castor oil is very small and therefore, castor oil is not a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Linolenic Acid
Linolenic acid, or alpha-linolenic acid, is the main type of omega-3 fatty acid found in plants, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the levels of LDL cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Low cholesterol levels prevent arterial disorders and heart disease. Most patients require between 0.8 to 1.1 g of alpha-linolenic acid per day, MayoClinic.com reports.
Side Effects of Castor Oil
When used as a laxative, castor oil can cause abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and occasional vomiting, the American Cancer Society warns. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should not use castor oil due to possible adverse effects to the fetus or the baby. Allergic reactions, including skin rashes and difficulty breathing, are associated with both the oral and topical castor oil preparations. Always talk to your doctor before using castor oil.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Alpha-linolenic Acid; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; March 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-linolenic Acid; April 2011
- American Cancer Society; Castor Oil; March 2011
- Phytochemical Analysis; "Characterisation of castor oil by on-line and off-line non-aqueous reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (APCI and UV/MALDI)."; G Stübiger; November - December 2003
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