Perilla Oil

Perilla Oil Benefits

Perilla oil comes from the seeds of the Perilla frutescens plant, which grows in China, India, and Japan.

Perilla oil benefits are causing a spike in demand for this nutrient as some preliminary studies are showing it to be promising for a range of health conditions, most notably in protecting the cardiovascular system and protecting against colon cancer.

But, first, let's discuss what exactly this oil is...and what might explain its beneficial health effects.

Oil that comes from the perilla plant is rich in a substance called ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid). ALA is one of several types of omega-3 fatty acids.

Most of us by now have heard numerous times about the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.

Two of the most prominent omega-3 fatty acids are EPA and DHA, which we can obtain from eating a diet of the right kind of fish (salmon, for example).

Or, to avoid the toxins that are now found in fish, many people take fish oil supplements to get their EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

ALA, by contrast, is found in certain vegetables...the perilla plant that is used to produce perilla oil being one of the best sources of ALA.

Even though ALA comes from different food sources than EPA and DHA, ALA is actually converted into EPA and DHA by the body, and, therefore, many experts claim it has similar benefits.

However, some experts also argue that in people with compromised health, the conversion of ALA into EPA and DHA may not take place efficiently, or may not even happen at all.

Therefore, some such experts advise people take their EPA and DHA directly rather than obtaining it from ALA sources such as flaxseed oil or perilla (again, fish oil is one of the best sources of EPA and DHA).

Click here to learn about the fish oil supplements we here at Nutritional Supplement Articles take ourselves.

Whatever the case may be, here are some of the promising perilla oil benefits:

- may possibly reduce inflammation of the blood, which is believed to be one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease.
- may possibly suppress early stage colon cancer
- inhibits blood clots from forming
- may act as a blood thinner, anti-coagulent

Other perilla oil benefits may include:

- asthma
- obesity, by possibly helping preclude the development of excess fatty tissue
- possible protective role against breast cancer

Precautions

Because perilla oil is a blood thinner, people already taking anti-coagulents and other blood thinners (such as warfarin, aspirin, and blood thinning herbs such as ginkgo, etc) should consult with their doctor first before adding this nutrient/supplement to their diet.

As always, pregnant or nursing women should refrain from using supplements without speaking with their physician.