Limited evidenceHeart & metabolic

Camelina Oil

A plant oil high in alpha-linolenic acid, positioned as an alternative to flaxseed oil. A small Finnish trial programme found it improves parts of the lipid profile, but like all ALA sources it converts poorly to EPA and DHA and is not a fish oil substitute.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

Serum lipid profile Limited evidence
A randomized controlled trial found camelina sativa oil, but not fatty or lean fish, improved the serum lipid profile in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism, lowering LDL and total cholesterol. It was a single trial in a specific population, from one research group.
Lipoprotein particle characteristics Limited evidence
Related randomized trials from the same programme reported that camelina oil lowered IDL particle concentration and altered atherogenic properties of LDL and HDL particles. These are surrogate lipoprotein measures rather than clinical events.
Cholesterol lowering in hypercholesterolaemia Limited evidence
An earlier randomized trial of ALA-rich camelina sativa oil in hypercholesterolaemic subjects found changes in serum fatty acid composition with modest lipid effects. The result has not been widely replicated in the two decades since.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTrials used around 30 g (roughly 2 tablespoons) of camelina oil daily, supplying about 10 g of ALA. Capsule products deliver far less.

SafetyA food oil, well tolerated. It should not be used for high-heat cooking. As with any ALA source, conversion to EPA and DHA in humans is only a few percent, so it does not replace fish or algal oil for people who need those. High intakes may have a mild antiplatelet effect, relevant before surgery or with anticoagulants.

Scientific references

Camelina Sativa Oil, but not Fatty Fish or Lean Fish, Improves Serum Lipid Profile in Subjects with Impaired Glucose Metabolism-A Randomized Controlled Trial
Schwab US, Lankinen MA, de Mello VD — Mol Nutr Food Res, 2018
The effect of intakes of fish and Camelina sativa oil on atherogenic and anti-atherogenic functions of LDL and HDL particles: A randomized controlled trial
Manninen S, Lankinen M, Erkkilä A — Atherosclerosis, 2019
Effect of alpha-linolenic acid-rich Camelina sativa oil on serum fatty acid composition and serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects
Karvonen HM, Aro A, Tapola NS — Metabolism, 2002

Where to buy

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