Black seed oil and omega-3 combination supports obesity-related inflammation, says new study

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A study recently published in Antioxidants¹ tested the effects of black seed oil (Nigella sativa) standardized to 3% thymoquinone (ThymoQuin from TriNutra; Harrison, NY) combined with omega-3 fatty acids on obesity-related inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolism of adipose tissue browning in mice. Researchers also used cell cultures. Excessive lipid accumulation in white adipose tissue results in adipocyte hypertrophy and chronic low-grade inflammation, which are a major cause of obesity-associated insulin resistance and the consequent metabolic disease, say the researchers. The browning of white adipose tissue – the development of beige adipocytes – is considered a novel strategy to counteract obesity because it increases energy expenditure.

Thymoquinone, the main bioactive quinone in black seed oil is known to be an antioxidant, and supports inflammation, while omega-3s have been known to support insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in obesity. “We have long been emphasizing the powerful synergistic benefits of a higher standardization of thymoquinone combined with omega-3 to support a healthy inflammatory response, and this study goes even further to show the extent to which the ingredients are able to work together,” said Morris Zelkha, CEO of TriNutra, in a press release.

Results showed that the combination reduced lipid droplet size and increased hallmarks of beige adipocytes in cell cultures, and in mice attenuated adipocyte hypertrophy-induced inflammation, enhancing AMPK activation, fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial function as well as reprogrammed unhealthy white adipocytes to healthy beige adipocytes. “Obesity creates excess fat which then may create excess inflammation. The uniqueness of this omega-3 and ThymoQuin combination creates Omega-3 Forte, which can fight efficiently against fat inflammation by converting inflammation fat to healthy fat and drastically improves insulin sensitivity,” explained Professor Nader Abraham of NY Medical College, and lead author of the study, in a press release. “Then the outcome is improved fatty liver, and blood glucose and [blood] pressure return to the normal range.”

References

1. Shen HH et al. “Cold-pressed Nigella sativa oil standardized to 3% thymoquinone potentiates omega-3 protection against obesity-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and markers of insulin resistance accompanied with conversion of white to beige fat in mice.” Antioxidants, vol. 9 (2020): 489