Ask the Doctors: Camelina Oil Alternatives; Arnica for Pain Relief
Q: What is camelina oil, and is it a healthy alternative oil?
A: Camelina oil is anticipated to be the next healthy (and popular) cooking oil. This oil is derived from a seed belonging to the mustard family, that has a light, nutty, and earthy flavor. Also referred to as wild flax, false flax, or gold of pleasure, camelina grows well in colder climates. It was widely grown in Eastern Europe and Russia up until the 1940s, when it was displaced by commodity crops, such as wheat and oilseed. More recently, it is making a comeback among farmers in northern areas in North America, such as Saskatchewan and Montana, as a low-input, sustainable crop that shows allelopathic properties—in this case, the ability to inhibit the growth of weeds.
Aside from containing high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, the oil is available in cold-pressed form—a process which maintains its integrity, nutrition, and flavor. Research has shown positive heart health outcomes in camelina oil’s ability to reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol. And since camelina oil has a high smoke point (475° F), it makes an ideal choice for culinary uses requiring high heat. Be on the lookout for this oil on your supermarket shelves; it’s a nice addition to a healthfully stocked pantry.
—McKenzie Hall, RD
Q: Are arnica herbal preparations effective for reducing pain and inflammation?
A: Arnica montana, also known as arnica root, mountain arnica and wolfsbane, is indeed promoted as a pain reliever for everything from carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis to bruising and insect bites. While the flowerheads of the arnica plant contain active compounds (lactones) that are thought to have anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties, the Food and Drug Administration has classified pure arnica as an unsafe herb. Oral ingestion can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, cardiac arrest, and even death. Oral homeopathic arnica preparations, which contain arnica in extremely dilute solutions, are used for inflammation in the mouth and throat, and are not thought to be harmful. However, a case of accidental ingestion of a toxic amount of a homeopathic preparation has been reported.
Still, research suggests that arnica gels and creams rubbed into the skin (but not on open wounds) may be as effective as ibuprofen as a pain reliever, though some allergic skin reactions have been reported. Despite some positive findings, a recent research review concluded that of the few studies available, most have not been conducted properly, making it impossible to say definitively if arnica works. Arnica is also used in very small amounts in beverages, frozen dairy desserts, candy, baked goods, gelatins, and puddings as a flavor ingredient.
—Densie Webb, PhD, RD
The post Ask the Doctors: Camelina Oil Alternatives; Arnica for Pain Relief appeared first on University Health News.
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