Hypolipemiant and antioxidant properties of argan oil

Anas Drissia,, Josefa Gironab, Mounia Cherkia, Gemma God"asb, Abdelfettah Derouichea, Mariame El Messalc, Rachid Sailea, Anass Kettania, Rosa Solab, Luis Masanab, Ahmed Adlounia

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The peculiarity of argan oil is that contains 45% of MUFA and 35% PUFA. It is reported that diets enriched with MUFA or PUFA positively correlated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality.15,16 Also, this oil is rich in minor compounds such as phenolic compounds (3.3 mg/kg), sterols (295 mg/ 100 g) and tocopherols (637 mg/kg).2,3 These compounds are known for their antioxidant effects as mentioned in numerous studies.4–6 Because of that, this chemical composition of argan oil is interesting in regard to cardiovascular risk prevention. Plasma LDL cholesterol were significantly lower in consumers than in non-consumers of argan oil and these lower levels may be due to the presence of not only unsaturated fatty acid but also minor compounds, such as plant sterols, in this oil. In fact, the molecular structure of sterols is verysimilar to that of human cholesterol, so they reduce cholesterol absorption by mixing with the micelles and blocking cholesterol from doing so.
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