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Hormonal/Heart/Weight

Black seed oil

Oil from Nigella sativa seeds that may modestly improve glucose, lipids, and weight in adults with metabolic risk.

Black seed oil
55
score
B
evidence
Caution
risk

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Use with caution

This supplement may interact with medications, medical conditions or sensitive populations. Review safety before use.

Quick Take

Reasonable adjunct for mild glucose or lipid issues; low return if your markers are already good.

Black seed oil is pressed from Nigella sativa seeds, a culinary spice used in Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian foods. Its main actives, especially thymoquinone, appear to influence inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress, endothelial function, and glucose metabolism. Human trials suggest modest improvements in fasting glucose/HbA1c, LDL and triglycerides, and in some users body weight or blood pressure. It fits adults with mild cardiometabolic risk better than already-healthy users.

Potential benefits

01
Improves fasting glucose/HbA1c
02
Improves LDL/triglycerides
03
Aids modest weight loss
04
May lower blood pressure
05
May improve insulin resistance
06
May reduce waist circumference

Protocol

Amount
1-2 g
Frequency
Once daily or split into 2 doses
When
With meals to improve tolerance; consistency matters more than timing.

Onset Time

4-8 weeks for glucose/BP, 8-12 weeks for lipids and weight

Who Should Consider

Adults with prediabetes or mildly elevated HbA1c
Adults with borderline LDL or triglycerides
People with overweight or central adiposity
People wanting a food-based adjunct to diet and medications

How It Works

Thymoquinone and related compounds may dampen NF-kB-driven inflammation and oxidative stress while also affecting nitric oxide signaling, bile acid handling, and glucose metabolism. In practice, that can slightly improve insulin sensitivity, lipid handling, and vascular tone.

Updated 5/19/2026

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