Pine Nut Oil – An Appetite Suppressant with a Colorful History

The historical use of pine nuts and pine nut oil is extensive. For example, there was often a shortage of food during harsh Siberian winters. The local people either ate pine nuts or a tablespoon of pine nut oil, sometimes as their whole meal, knowing that it produced a lasting feeling of fullness. Other traditional uses include boosting sex drive in men, combating respiratory infection, repairing digestive inflammation, and supporting circulatory health.

In modern times it has been proven that 3 grams of pine nut oil supplementation can suppress appetite within ½ hour by boosting an important full signal (CCK) by 60%, resulting in a 29% less desire to eat for four hours. Another study showed that taking 2 grams of pine nut oil ½ hour prior to an all-you-can-eat buffet test lunch resulted in 9% less food being consumed. Science shows that pine nut oil supplements are a potent appetite suppressant, a great tool along with your willpower to stay on a good diet plan.

While some people are worried about the fat grams of nuts, as long as they are not eaten in too large an amount they are associated with more optimal body weight and less weight gain during aging. Nuts contain a wide variety of phytochemicals that promote health, including carotenoids, phenolic acids, phytosterols and polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids Plant compound that is associated with pigmentation. Flavonoids have been shown to modify allergens, viruses, inflammation, and various carcinogens. Found in green tea, citrus, berries, onions, parsley, red wine, dark chocolate, and others., proanthocyanidins and stilbenes. Pine nut oil is quite unique in that it is the only nut high in a fatty acid called pinolenic acid, which is believed to activate the appetite-suppressing quality of the oil. Additionally, pine nut fatty substances are also a rich source of sphingolipids, a type of fatty nutrient that makes up cell membranes and helps regulate metabolic signaling, including the ability of a cell to tolerate stress. Sphingolipids are especially important to the health of nerve cells, indicating that pine nut oil is a good brain food.

The historical and medicinal use of pine nuts and pine nut oil extend well beyond its role in helping to regulate appetite. Their use as a food dates back more than 10,000 years. It has been documented that pine nuts were a food staple of the Romans, found in the ruins of Pompeii. It has also been proven they were part of the provisions of the Roman army – a fact that men may want to pay attention to. Amongst the early documented uses was to increase energy, sex drive, and semen amount – one of the early natural aphrodisiacs.

Greek, Roman, and Egyptian health practitioners use pine nuts to combat respiratory infections and congestion, as well as chronic cough. They were used to offset weakness, bleeding (they have astringent properties), and the effects of stroke. Russian and Chinese traditional healers have used pine nuts and pine nut oil to heal ulcers and digestive inflammation. A 2006 Russian study claims that 17.5 grams per day of pine nut oil given to people with high blood pressure lowered their cholesterol, improved their lipid profile, lowered their blood pressure, and helped weight loss. 

The fatty acids in pine nuts and thus pine nut oil are believed to offer many health benefits. Various studies now show that pine nut oil supplements can help regulate appetite. Many of the traditional uses of this nutrient have not been proven or tested by modern science; yet, such traditional uses have been around for thousands of years and may be helpful for some – at least worth a try.

I can tell you from clinical experience that pine nut oil supplements, 2 grams to 3 grams as a dose between meals or before meals (especially before lunch or dinner), several times per day if desired, not only reduces appetite for most people who try them but they are also very good for energy.