Researchers from the The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA found that supplementation with safflower oil improves glycemic control and lipid levels, and reduces inflammation in women with Type 2 diabetes.

    In a previous study they found that the essential n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid rich safflower decreases fasting glucose and fat mass in the trunk region. 

    For this 16-week study Martha Belury  and colleagues selected 35 postmenopausal women with Type 2 diabetes and assessed potential of safflower oil for improving glycemic control and other markers of metabolic dysregulation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

    The women were given safflower oil 8 g or conjugated linoleic acid for 16 weeks each in a double masked crossover fashion. They received one supplement for 16 weeks and another for a further 16 weeks after a 4-week washout period.