Safflower

Safflower/Nutrient Depletion:

  • CalciumCalcium: According to a clinical trial, safflower oil may significantly decrease leukocyte-ionized calcium (55). These results are supported by a similar, earlier clinical trial by the same author (56).
  • LipidsLipids: According to clinical trials and laboratory study, ingestion of safflower oil may decrease serum total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, apolipoprotein B, and malondialdehyde-LDL (30; 87; 88; 89; 90; 91; 92). However, some clinical trials found that safflower may increase some serum lipids, including cell cholesterol in the plasma, and increase triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (93; 94; 57; 95); several other clinical trials found that safflower oil did not significantly change any of the lipid/lipoprotein values (96; 97; 98; 99; 100; 101; 78; 102; 92).
  • TocopherolTocopherol: According to a clinical trial, tocopherol-stripped safflower oil may decrease plasma tocopherol levels (117).