On Thu, 7 Jun 2001 15:56:18 -0600, Dori Zook <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Anyone know anything about apricot seed oil?  I went to get some different
>oils, oils low in saturated fat such as avacado and nut oils and saw this
>for the first time.  What are the advantages/disadvantages?

I managed to buy apricot seed oil, raw pressed and unprocessed from a guy
in India, this and last year.
It has a delicious fragrance.
I use it only for cosmetic purpose (apply on the skin).
It's import into the EU has been banned, because it contains
small amounts of hydrocyanic acid.
Unfortunately there are no more cosmetic oils from apricot kernels
available here for that reason.
It contains laetril, which has once been called vitamin b-17 and has
some anti cancer properties reported.
And apricots and apricot kernels are a very rich source of vitamin a
(carotenes).

Due to it's high price and the hydrocyanic I prefer not to eat it.
If you look for alternatives, as you tell, you may choose
olive oil, extravergine.

If you eat farmed animal fat I would say fats high in PUFAs
should be included.
The most delicious (though expensive) is hemp oil.

Cheaper would be sunflower oil (which should be available in good organic
quality in health food stores -- if it doesn't taste like sunflowers, forget
it).
Sunflower oil must be complemented with some flax seed oil to achieve a
appropiate omega3/6 ratio.
Flax seed oil mustn't taste bitter. Buy small quantities and keep them in
the fridge. Real fresh flax seed oil tastes great (somewhat nutty).

Amadeus