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Wheat germ oil is extracted from the germ of the wheat kernel, which makes up only 2½% by weight of the kernel. Wheat germ oil is particularly high in octacosanol - a 28 carbon long-chain saturated primary alcohol found in a number of different vegetable waxes. Octacosanol has been studied as an exercise and physical performance enhancing agent.[1] Very long chain fatty alcohols obtained from plant waxes and beeswax have been reported to lower plasma cholesterol in humans.[2] Wheat germ oil is also very high in Vitamin E and has the highest content of Vitamin E of any food that did not undergo prior preparation or vitamin fortification.[3] As a cooking oil, wheat germ oil is strongly flavored, expensive and easily perishable.[4] Wheat germ oil contains the following fatty acids:[5]
| Component | g/100g |
|---|---|
| Linoleic acid (omega-6) | 55 |
| Palmitic acid | 16 |
| Oleic acid | 14 |
| Linolenic acid (omega-3) | 7 |
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