Lowell, MASS - For years people have touted the natural health benefits of emu oil. Healing, penetrating, anti-aging and cholesterol lowering testimonials have been used to promote this food by-product from the emu, a domestically raised livestock in the U. S.

Dr. Robert Nicolosi, Director of the Center for Health and Disease Research at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, has been conducting research to evaluate these claims. "Animal trials indicate that emu oil does have cholesterol lowering, anti-inflammatory and transdermal properties," reports Nicolosi. Nicolosi admits that he was initially skeptical but that the research results have changed his mind.

Two different trials were done to evaluate the transdermal qualities of emu oil. In both trials, a topical application of emu oil containing either tocopherol (Vitamin E) or DHA (docosahexanoic) to the shaved surface of hamsters was done. Periodic blood samples taken over a seven day period showed conclusively that emu oil is transdermal and that it can be utilized for transdermal delivery. The data also suggests that the transdermal qualities of emu oil might actually be greater than other oils currently being utilized daily in hundreds of over-the-counter remedies for such things as weight loss, smoking, testosterone and hormonal replacement therapy. There could be a future use for emu oil as the carrier in these and other applications.

Inflammation studies with mice indicated that emu oil significantly reduced induced inflammation 42% to 71% depending on when it was applied. A comparison of these results with those of other oils in the omega 3 family indicates that emu oil has a greater affect on reducing inflammation. Since diseases such as arthritis are often earmarked by inflammation, the anti-inflammatory properties of emu oil as well as the transdermal qualities indicate emu oil will have a place in topical applications, if not as a topical application.

Cholesterol research with hamsters fed a hypercholesterolemic diet followed by inclusion of emu oil provided incredible results. Emu oil reduced the total cholesterol over 30%. Low Density Liprotein (bad cholesterol) was reduced 25%. With over 100 million Americans suffering from high cholesterol, cholesterol lowering drugs make up a major part of the pharmaceutical products market. Emu Oil in an ingestible form may become a very attractive alternative for some consumers.

"Our research continues to study the many intriguing aspects of this oil. The most recent conclusions are very promising for millions of Americans," said Nicolosi.