Wheat germ oil
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Wheat germ oil is extracted from the germ of the wheat kernel, which makes up only 2½% by weight of the kernel. Wheat germ oil is particularly high in octacosanol - a 28 carbon long-chain saturated primary alcohol found in a number of different vegetable waxes. Octacosanol has been studied as an exercise and physical performance enhancing agent.[1] Very long chain fatty alcohols obtained from plant waxes and beeswax have been reported to lower plasma cholesterol in humans.[2] Wheat germ oil is also very high in Vitamin E and has the highest content of Vitamin E of any food that did not undergo prior preparation or vitamin fortification.[3] As a cooking oil, wheat germ oil is strongly flavored, expensive and easily perishable.[4] Wheat germ oil contains the following fatty acids:[5]
Component g/100g Linoleic acid (omega-6) 55 Palmitic acid 16 Oleic acid 14 Linolenic acid (omega-3) 7
[edit] References
- ^ "Wheat Germ Oil (Octacosanol)".
- ^ Nutritional Significance and Metabolism of Very Long Chain Fatty Alcohols and Acids from Dietary Waxes - Hargrove et al. 229 (3): 215 - Experimental Biology and Medicine
- ^ 999 Foods Highest in Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)
(based on levels per 200 Calories) - ^ "Kitchen Dictionary: Wheat germ".
- ^ "Nutritional Summary for Oil, wheat germ".
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