The Scary Truth About Seed Oils
Knowing what to eat and what NOT to eat can be extremely daunting in today’s world of information overload. With the growing amount of research and new findings related to diet that surface every day it can be hard to decide what to include and what to eliminate from your diet. That is why being aware of the main culprits in our diet that negatively affect our health can greatly simplify our food choices and improve our overall health.
What Are Seed Oils?
Seed oils account for over 75% of the average American's calories from fat. The term seed oil is used to describe many processed oils that are derived from seeds of different plants. Seed oils prevalent in the American diet include canola, vegetable, soybean, ricebran, cottonseed, grapeseed, sunflower, safflower, and corn oil. One or more of these oils are added to the vast majority of processed foods most people consume daily. Although oils are collectively touted as a health food, many seed oils are highly processed, rancid, and cause inflammation in our bodies. Not only are they in foods that are generally considered to be junk food, like chips and candy, but they are also in many foods that are deemed to be healthy. A growing majority of “modern health foods” such as protein bars, organic frozen meals, children’s snacks, and even baby formula contain these inflammatory oils.
Why Are They Bad?
The issue with many seed oils is that they are often highly processed, heated, and extracted with chemical solvents. They contain large amounts of unstable fatty acids or PUFAs. When these unstable acids are used to cook or subjected to high heat, the structure of the oil can change and cause trans fats and toxins to form. Many seed oils are also derived from crops which are raised and contaminated with pesticides which then end up in our bodies.
Health Effects of Seed Oils
Excess Inflammation: One of the biggest detriments of seed oils is an increase in inflammation which can wreak havoc on and negatively impact every system in our body. A study done by the University of Massachusetts showed that giving mice fried oil “exaggerated colonic inflammation, enhanced tumor growth and worsened gut leakage” which then led to spreading of “toxic bacterial products into the bloodstream”.
Weight changes: when inflammation increases, weight also increases. There is a direct correlation between the increase in obesity over the past 50 years and the increase in use of seed oils.
Increase in hunger: specific compounds in seed oils were shown to block our receptors that curb hunger.
Decrease in testosterone: in animal studies, grapeseed and soybean oils were shown to significantly decrease testosterone.
Excess oxidative stress & organ damage: research has shown that linoleic acid found in seed oils leads to an increase in oxidative stress in the body. Excess oxidative stress causes an accumulation of toxins in the body which can lead to damage of multiple different organ systems.
“Health Foods” that Contain Seed Oils?
Non-dairy milks (oat, almond, cashew), hummus, salad dressing, sauces, infant formula, protein shakes, protein and health bars, frozen and prepackaged meals (including organic options), and condiments are just a few seemingly healthy foods that contain one or multiple different seed oils.
Are Any Oils Good?
High quality olive, avocado, and coconut oil are great options but can be contaminated. When choosing olive oil make sure to choose organic and cold pressed if available. When choosing avocado oil make sure to look for unrefined and organic options. Also opt for oils in dark bottles which will help prevent them from going rancid.
Bottom Line: Eliminate, or at Least Minimize Seed Oils
Excess systemic inflammation is one of the leading causes of disease and morbidity in our society. Next time you go to the store or grab something from your pantry, take a look at the label and you’ll notice that a majority of packaged foods include one or multiple of these oils. Seed oils build up in our bodies and accumulate in our fat over time which can lead to progressive health issues.
