Whale oil: useful properties, application

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

People have been hunting whales for centuries. Why is this happening? One of the main reasons is whale fat. It is used in many areas of human activity. In the article, we will talk in detail about this organic substance, which has important trace elements and vitamins.

Whaling

Whales are huge mammals that live in the water. Their weight can reach up to 150 tons (for example, in extinct mammoths it did not exceed 15), and the average length reaches 25 meters.

It is only natural that these large animals attracted people's attention. According to historical data, whaling has existed for more than four thousand years. At that time there were a lot of these mammals. Many times more than hunters. Now the situation has changed dramatically. Many countries have already introduced strict bans on the extermination of different species of whales.

Regulate the production of animals began in 1931. Nevertheless, whaling is very popular in countries such as Russia, Canada, Greenland, USA, Iceland, Norway and Japan.

At first, whale meat was highly valued, but then people learneduse almost all parts of mammals. Their brain and glands are sources of insulin and adrenocorticotropic hormone, and their liver is rich in vitamin A. They also use the blood, skin and fat of whales. In the past, rafters for dwellings were made from bones, or they were ground into flour, which fertilized the soil. Well, whalebone was used in perfumery to obtain amber. Let's move on.

Whale Fat

It is he who finds the most widespread use among the products obtained from these mammals. Hunters, in order to extract whale oil, climbed inside the whale through the mouth. This method is the most optimal, since it was not necessary to cut the skin, which was also used later. All whales have a fairly large supply of fat. This is due to the fact that mammals live in cold waters, where you can easily freeze. It also saves animals during long migrations (with a long absence of food, whales live off fat) and provides them with buoyancy.

Blubber – this is how the fat of whales and other marine animals was called in the Middle Ages. It was produced by smelting from the fat of mammals. The resulting substance had a yellowish tint and an unpleasant odor.

The largest species of whales are blue, they have a fat layer up to 30 centimeters thick. Usually it is 25-30% of their body weight (around 30 tons). In some individuals, this figure reaches up to 50%. In addition to the subcutaneous layer, fat can be found in other tissues, meat and even bones. To get a blubber, they boiled down all these parts.

Extraction and use

There aren't many methods for treating fat. The oldest of them is digestion. Pieces of whale oil and meat were thrown into the furnace right on the ship, and then the resulting liquid was poured into barrels. Also, blubber was obtained in the Middle Ages with the help of reflux in the sun.

What is whale oil used for? Previously, jute was made from it, soap was made and used as lubricants. Over time, fat began to be filled into lanterns and lamps, and also used as fuel for vehicles. Well, for example, in Japan, this organic substance was used as an insecticide that repels locusts.

So, where whale oil is used, we found out. It remains to tell about the method of its extraction. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, it has been hydrogenation. When using this processing method, the fat becomes solid and absolutely odorless. Since then, it has been used to make margarines and oils. Now whale oil is used mainly in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Well, people living in the northern regions still eat it.

Composition

Whale oil is a source of valuable substances that a person needs to feel good. It has a fairly high content of vitamin A, which has antioxidant properties and stimulates the immune system. And whale liver oil is rich in vitamin D. The latter is responsible for cell growth and the production of several hormones.

However, there are a number of substances that are notget from other products. Fatty acids are essential for humans. Well, the product described in the article contains many of them: arachidic, palmitic, olinic, laronic and others.

It is also worth noting the presence of polyunsaturated acids, which are the most important substances. In whale oil, their content ranges from 30 to 40%. The human body is not capable of producing polyunsaturated acids on its own, which are involved in the regulation of several body functions (accumulation of cholesterol, etc.). Therefore, it is necessary to replenish their supply from outside.

Useful properties

So, we have described the composition of the product. But why do you still need whale oil? The polyunsaturated acids in it are omega-3. They help lower blood pressure in the vessels and prevent the formation of blood clots. In addition, omega-3s promote good vision and memory.

Whale fat also helps in preventing diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, asthma, osteochondrosis and sciatica. Due to its composition, it strengthens all tissues of the body. Whale oil boosts immunity, prevents cancer and speeds up metabolism.

The product rejuvenates the body and gives a person more energy and strength, helping to get out of depression. In pharmaceuticals, whale oil is used as a remedy for burns. It also promotes tissue healing. And in cosmetology, whale oil moisturizes the skin to give it elasticity and firmness.

Slimming

How strange it isNo matter how you sound, with the help of whale oil you can lose weight. But this does not mean that you need to eat it in packs and stick to your old lifestyle. It in itself is very high in calories, and if you absorb it in large quantities, then this will definitely not lead to harmony. The secret is different - a person needs whale fat with active weight loss. It provides essential nutrients and, when combined with a sensible diet, promotes muscle gain.

When losing weight, the body experiences serious stress, and whale fat helps to minimize it, providing the smoothest transition. The product contributes to the normalization of all important processes in the body. Eliminating toxins and aiding in the absorption of nutrients from food are two other functions that whale oil performs in the body. In Kaliningrad and other cities of Russia, it can be freely bought in pharmacies.

Whaling

Despite all the benefits that humans receive from these animals, the mammals themselves have a hard time. Several thousand years ago, people used only whales that had washed ashore. But over time, their purposeful catching began, which reached such proportions that many mammals could disappear forever.

Endangered species include fin whales, blue whales, bowhead whales and northern right whales. To prevent a sad outcome, hunting bans regularly appear. But the value of mammals did not decrease from this. Japan, Iceland and Norway regularly violate the imposed moratoriums. By the way, there iseven a whaling MMORPG game. It's called Black Desert. Whale oil there is one of the resources used in alchemy.

Many cosmetic and pharmaceutical firms maintain established moratoriums. They have learned how to make synthetic acids, no different from those found in whale oil. The effect of them is the same, and mammals do not suffer from this.