Emu oil
Emu oil is oil derived from adipose tissue harvested from certain subspecies of the emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, a flightless bird indigenous to Australia.[1][2]
Unadulterated emu oil can vary widely in color and viscosity anywhere from an off-white creamy texture to a thin yellow liquid, depending on the diet of the emu and the refining method(s) used.[3] It is composed of approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids. The largest component is oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Emu oil also contains roughly 20% linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and 1-2% linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid).
Emu oil has been fraudulently promoted as a dietary supplement with the false claim it can treat a variety of human ailments, including cancer and arthritis.[4] Little is known about its risks and benefits.[5]
Commercial emu oil supplements are not standardized and vary widely in their potency.[6] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration highlighted emu oil in a 2009 article on "How to Spot Health Fraud," pointing out that many "pure emu oil" products are unapproved drugs.[4]
Research
As of 2015 there have been two small human studies.[7] One looked at emu oil as a skin moisturizer and the other as an insect repellant.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ American Emu Association FAQ
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- ↑ American Emu Association - Definition of emu oil grades
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