Perilla Oil: Benefits, Side Effects, Best Time to Take It & More

Perilla Oil

(Perilla Seed Oil)

Evidence: Low
Possible Benefits: Reasonable
Safety: High

What is perilla oil?

Perilla oil is a dietary supplement that contains high amounts of rosmarinic acid and ALA, a plant-based form of omega-3. Most people use the supplement for improving cognitive, emotional, and cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, since only a small percentage of ALA can turn into DHA and EPA, perilla oil is generally not nearly as beneficial as other omega-3 supplements, such as algae oil. This article is about the main benefits of perilla oil, its potential side effects, the best time to take it, and more.

What does perilla oil do for the body?

Perilla oil contains high amounts of rosmarinic acid and omega-3 fatty acids, which are responsible for most of the benefits.

There are 3 main types of omega-3 fatty acids: DHA, EPA, and ALA. Perilla oil contains a high amount of ALA but no EPA or DHA.

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is a plant-based form of omega 3 that can be converted into EPA and DHA in the body, but the conversion rate is low, typically less than 5%. This means that a person would need to consume large amounts of ALA to get the same benefits as EPA and DHA.

High intake of ALA has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, blood sugar control, inflammation, cholesterol levels, and more. However, whether or not any of these benefits are specific to ALA or achieved through its conversion to EPA and DHA is not yet clear.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a major component of the brain and is important for brain development and function. Studies have shown that DHA is associated with improved cognitive function, mood, and mental health. The same also applies to EPA, though to a lesser degree.

DHA is important for the development of the fetus during pregnancy and may be beneficial for the mother’s mental and emotional well-being.

It is also a major component of the retina and is important for eye health. Studies have shown that DHA is associated with a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration.

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is very effective at reducing triglycerides and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Both EPA and DHA have anti-inflammatory properties and can help to reduce inflammation throughout the body. This can be beneficial for people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory conditions.

Both EPA and DHA have also been shown to have beneficial effects on heart health. EPA has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce triglyceride levels, and improve the health of the blood vessels. DHA has been shown to improve heart rate variability, which is a measure of the flexibility of the heart. Together, they can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Possible benefits

The benefits mentioned below are dose-dependent. Generally, the higher the dose, the more pronounced the effects are. However, they do reach a plateau at a certain point. We will discuss the best dosing protocol later in this article.

The majority of the benefits below are not specific to perilla oil but rather to omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Since some people don’t convert ALA to EPA and DHA well, these benefits do not apply to everyone.

Minor benefits

Reduced allergies – Rosmarinic acid can suppress the response to pollen allergies in persons with seasonal rhinitis.
Improved well-being – This benefit applies mainly to depressed individuals but also to those who do not suffer from depression.
Reduced triglycerides – Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely effective at reducing triglyceride levels. The reductions are in the range of 15-30%. Those with higher baseline triglycerides often see the biggest improvement.
Reduced anxiety – An improvement was observed in medical students and likely applies to anyone with a stressful lifestyle.
Improved photoprotection – High doses of omega 3 (1800+ mg of EPA) can reduce the risk of DNA damage, immunosuppression, and erythema in response to sunlight. It can also prolong the time required for
sunlight to induce reddening of the skin and prevent sunburns.
Reduced blood pressure – The supplement can reduce blood pressure in those with abnormally high blood pressure. In otherwise healthy individuals, perilla oil and other omega 3 supplements do not affect blood pressure.
Reduced inflammation – The evidence on this is highly mixed and unreliable. With that said, perilla oil may positively influence some inflammatory cytokines.
Reduced aggression – This benefit is secondary to improving mood and general well-being.
Increased HDL-C – This benefit is small and only applies to people with unhealthy cholesterol levels. In these individuals, the supplement may also reduce LDL-C and vLDL-C.
Improved memory – The supplement may improve memory but the evidence is limited.
Increased infant birth weight – Mothers with higher omega 3 intakes (from either food or supplements) give birth to infants with higher birth weights independent of gestational age.
Reduced headaches – Women with PMS tend to experience headaches less often and less severely when they take perilla oil or other omega-3 supplements.

Possible side effects

These side effects are dose-dependent. The risk for them increases (often linearly but sometimes exponentially) as you increase the dose. Some of the side effects only apply to very high doses.

Nausea
Stomach cramps
Diarrhea
Fishy aftertaste
Fishy burbs
Blood thinning – Omega-3s can act as blood thinners, so it’s important for people taking blood-thinning medication or about to have surgery to talk to their doctor before taking omega-3 supplements.
Omega 3:6 imbalance – Omega 3 and 6 have to be kept in balance as too much of one can cause problems if not enough of the other is present. The optimal ratio between the two is somewhere between 1:4 to 4:1. Most people get too much omega 6 and too little omega 3s but if you consume high amounts of fish and take perilla oil while getting a low amount of omega 6, too much omega 3 can also lead to an imbalance.
Increased LDL-C – Omega 3 supplements like perilla oil can increase LDL-C by about 5-10% in people with high triglycerides.
Oxidation – Omega 3 from perilla oil is prone to oxidation and can become a pro-oxidant that can easily cause more harm than good in the body. This is why you need to choose the brand you get omega 3 from carefully and store the supplement well.
Toxicity – While acute toxicity is extremely rare, taking high amounts of omega 3 could lead to chronic toxicity and cause some health problems. To prevent chronic toxicity, it is best to stay below 30 grams of combined EPA and DHA a day unless you have a great reason to take more.

Who should not take perilla oil?

You should probably avoid taking the supplement if you:

experience a severe adverse reaction after taking the supplement
are willing to take algae oil instead
are on a tight supplement budget (since there are more cost-effective supplements on the market for most people)

Who will benefit the most?

You should consider taking the supplement if you:

consume very little omega 3
eat high amounts of omega 6
have high triglycerides
suffer from depression, ADHD, or bipolar disorder
suffer from lupus

Other omega-3 supplements

There are many different types of omega 3 oils. The most popular ones include:

Fish oil – Fish oil is the most common supplemental form of omega-3. It is typically made from cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, and anchovies. This is usually the cheapest but also the most contaminated type of omega 3 supplement.
Krill oil – Krill oil supplements are a newer form of omega-3 supplement made from small crustaceans called krill.
Cod liver oil – The main difference between cod liver oil and krill oil is that cod liver oil contains a high amount of vitamins A and D. This can be a great thing for people deficient in those nutrients but it can also be problematic for those who already consume too much vitamin A.
Flaxseed oil – Flaxseed oil is a plant-based source of omega-3s, primarily ALA. ALA has a lower conversion rate to EPA and DHA than the other forms of omega-3s, so to get the same benefits as EPA and DHA, a person would need to consume larger amounts of flaxseed oil.
Algae oil – Algae oil supplements are made from a type of microalgae called Schizochytrium sp. which is rich in DHA. These supplements are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Even if you are not a vegan or a vegetarian, algae oil is superior to the other form in the vast majority of cases because it tends to contain significantly lower levels of contaminants.

What omega 3 supplement is the best?

In the vast majority of cases, algae oil is much safer than fish oil, cod liver oil, or krill oil. This is mainly because algae oil is far lower in contaminants, such as methylmercury, PCB, dioxin, and organochlorine.

Fish oil is usually the cheapest option but also the worst one for health. It is the most contaminated form and doesn’t have additional benefits other than providing omega 3 fatty acids.

Cod liver oil is worth consideration for people who suffer from a vitamin D or vitamin A deficiency. The oil can provide a high amount of both of these nutrients. However, this can also be a bad thing if you already consume too much vitamin A. In that case, you should stay away from cod liver oil and take a different type.

If you do decide to go for cod liver oil because of its vitamin A and D content or for fish oil because of its cheap price, make sure to find a high-quality brand selling non-oxidized, wild-caught oil low in contaminants.

TL:DR, algae oil is almost always the best option.

How much perilla oil should you take?

The amount of omega 3 in perilla oil can differ from brand to brand. An average brand of perilla oil contains about 65% of ALA.

The safe and effective dose range of combined EPA and DHA can be anywhere from 300 mg to 3 grams, depending on your goals. Since the average conversion rate of ALA to EPA and DHA is about 1-5%, this dose can reliably be obtained in about 15-30 grams of perilla oil.

Some people may benefit from doses higher than 15-30 grams. These include people with high triglyceride levels and rheumatoid arthritis.

Counter-intuitively, some people may benefit more from lower doses than higher doses. For example, people with lupus benefit the most from doses of about 160 mg of EPA and 140 mg of DHA.

Keep in mind that omega 3 should also be kept in balance with omega 6. The optimal ratio between the two is anywhere from 1:4 to 4:1.

The upper safety limit for perilla oil is not well-established. To stay on the safe side, don’t take more than 30 grams daily unless you have a great reason to do so. Higher amounts may cause problems if you take the supplement for a prolonged period.

Food sources of omega 3

Fish are by far the richest food sources of omega 3 fatty acids, followed by some nuts and seeds.

Here is a list of foods rich in omega 3s and how much they contain:
Salmon: 2,200 mg
Tuna: 1,000 mg
Sardines: 1,800 mg
Anchovies: 1,200 mg
Mackerel: 1,500 mg
Herring: 1,500 mg
Flaxseeds: 55,000 mg
Chia seeds: 32,000 mg
Walnuts: 12,000 mg
Spinach: 120 mg
Kale: 150 mg

Please keep in mind that the plant sources, such as flaxseeds and chia seeds, mostly contain omega 3s in the form of ALA, which further has to convert into EPA and DHA and the conversion rate is relatively small.

Therefore, if you are a plant-based eater or avoid fish, it may be a good idea to supplement with omega 3s.

While some nuts and plant oils are high in omega 3, they also tend to be very high in omega 6 and therefore typically do not support a good balance between omega 3 and 6.

Best time to take perilla oil

Omega 3 fatty acids from perilla oil are fat-soluble so make sure to take the supplement with food to absorb it well.

Whether you take the supplement in the morning or the evening doesn’t matter much.

Unless it feels too impractical, spread the daily dose into 2+ smaller doses throughout the day.

Interactions

Omega 6
Omega 3 and 6 have to be kept in balance as too much of one can cause problems if not enough of the other is present. The optimal ratio between the two is somewhere between 1:4 to 4:1.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E protects omega 3 fatty acids from oxidizing, both inside and outside the body. It is important to note that if omega 3 fatty acids have already oxidized, vitamin E cannot fix them back to normal. Taking vitamin E with oxidized perilla oil will not make it beneficial or non-harmful. With that said, the more omega 3 fatty acids you take, the more vitamin E you will need.
Green tea
Omega 3 fatty acids increase the bioavailability of EGCG and other catechins in tea.
Turmeric
Turmeric and omega 3 appear synergistic for reducing breast cancer cell proliferation. In theory, this combination may also lead to increasing BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) but more evidence is needed to support this.
Fucoxanthin
These two supplements may be synergistic for anti-obesity effects.
Statins
Omega 3 works synergistically with statins in terms of improving cardiometabolic parameters.

Where to buy perilla oil

Which brand you chose will have an enormous effect on how you react to the supplement. Unfortunately, many brands sell oxidized perilla oils or capsules which are likely to do more harm than good.

Amazon is the best option for ordering omega 3 supplements in most countries. They offer some very affordable products backed by many positive reviews. Also, you can choose from a wide range of brands without having to search through other markets on the internet.

Beware some brands display the dosage per serving instead of per pill or capsule. Therefore, you may accidentally buy something less potent than you intended. Do not fall for this marketing trick.

FAQ

You can take the fatty acid daily and do not need to cycle it. However, it is certainly not a problem if you don’t take it every day. Not taking the supplement every once in a while could lead to better absorption. That is yet to be proven or disproven.

All of these options are fine. The two most important things to consider are the price and dosing. Powders are almost always the cheapest form. However, you may need a highly accurate scale to dose them correctly (preferably 0.001g). You can get one for as little as $20 from Amazon. Dosing the powders also takes some time that can add up over months or years. The disadvantage of capsules is that they often contain bovine gelatin, which rarely comes from an ethical source.

Yes. Most fatty acids, including omega 3 in perilla oil, absorb and digest well if you take them before falling asleep. The supplement should not impact sleep quality in any significant way.

Perilla oil can oxidize and become harmful if kept in bad conditions. Unfortunately, many omega 3 supplements are already heavily oxidized by the time you buy them, which is why choosing a high-quality brand is important.

Keep the supplement in a cold, dark, and dry place, and it should remain just as potent for many months.

While toxicity is rare, too much omega 3 in the system can cause some health problems, often related to oxidation or causing an imbalance in fatty acids. It is best to stay below 30 grams of combined EPA and DHA a day to prevent these side effects.

You may need more of this fatty acid if you:
– don’t get enough omega 3 from food
– consume too much omega 6
– wish to lower your triglycerides
– suffer from lupus
– suffer from depression, ADHD, or bipolar disorder
– eat high amounts of omega 6
– consume very little omega 3

The half-life of DHA in the body is about 3 days. For EPA, it is about 5 days. ALA only stays in your body for a few hours before it gets utilized.

In the long term, you need to take the supplement for about 2-4 weeks to begin noticing the benefits.

Yes, perilla oil is vegan-friendly.

Omega 3 fatty acids from perilla oil are fat-soluble, so you need to take them with food to absorb them well.

Perilla oil should not break a fast unless you take a very high dose at once (anything under 10 grams should be safe). If you practice time-restricted eating, take perilla oil during your eating window to make sure it absorbs well and doesn’t break your fast.

References

Most of the information provided in this guide is supported by scientific research that can be found and verified in the PubMed medical library. We highly encourage you to use the library to verify anything said in this article. We excluded from consideration studies that are either confounded or have a high conflict of interest.

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