An Analysis of Emu Oil -continued
Alpha Linolenic Acid (C 18:3) is rare. It also has a dietary name of Omega �3 another important EFA. It is considered by many authorities to be very important for the body to help fight inflammation. The Emu Oil Institute claims that Emu oil contains Alpha Linolenic Acid (as Omega 3 fatty acid). Other oils that are high in Alpha Linolenic Acid are:
Kiwi Seed Oil (45-70%)
Flax Seed Oil (55-66%)
Rose (Hip) Seed Oil (30-35%)
Emu Oil (1-2%)
While having many healthful qualities, high levels of Alpha Linolenic will result in an oil that is not very stable. I haven't worked with Kiwi Seed oil, and I am told by my source that it goes bad MUCH faster than even Rose Hip Seed Oil. So shortly after the oil is processed, it turns rancid. Rose Hip Seed oil has a great reputation for healing scars, reducing wrinkles, and reversing age and sun damage. In theory Kiwi Seed oil would have similar (or better) qualities. Emu�s level of this very important fat is extremely low at up to 2% (two percent). Therefore the beneficial level is much less than that of Rose Hip Seed Oil in topical applications.
One thing you may notice from the above oils is their relatively short shelf life. Rose Hip Seed Oil is one of the shortest at about 2 months, while Grape Seed is one of the longest at approximately 6 months. Hemp Seed, Wheat Germ, Evening Primrose are somewhere in the middle; yet still fairly quick to oxidize (turn rancid). Now the Safflower and Sunflower oils in this analysis are NOT the usual ones available at the grocery store. Those are special hybrids designed with an extended shelf life that I will examine later.
Part two of the quote "� and oleic acid, a powerful local anti-inflammatory�"
Oleic Acid (C18:1) is also common, but unlike the Linolenic Acids, Oleic Acid INCREASES the stability of the oil (meaning it doesn't turn rancid as quickly). This is a desirable trait, as nobody would want a massage or a food with rancid oil.
Other oils high in Oleic Acid (C 18:1) include:
Olive Oil (80%)
Hybrid Sunflower (77-84%)
Hybrid Safflower (75-85%)
Hazel Nut Oil (70-84%)
Sweet Almond (62-68%)
Avocado Oil (56-72%)
Canola Oil (56-62%)
Apricot Kernel (55-65%)
Macadamia Nut (55-65%)
Emu Oil (40-47%)
Shea Butter (40-46%)
Corn (28-37%)