Dear readers,
Canola oil has been widely used because it has been token as the new alternative “healthy” oil and is less expensive to other vegetable oils such as soy, cottonseed, safflower and corn oil. It is said the canola oil contains no saturated fat which can potentially clog up your arteries. However, the science has stated otherwise. The science literature stated by ingesting a single dose of 71 mg of Canola oil per day would increase your triglyceride level by whopping 47% compared to medium chain fatty acid such as coconut oil. (1) In addition, an article released on Dec. 14th, 2017 from Psych Central stated there are strong associations between consuming canola oil and weight gain, decrease working memory and increase Alzheimer. (2)
Part of the reason why canola oil could potentially raise your triglyceride is that canola oil contains a higher level of omega-3 oils. Supposedly omega-3 oil is good for you, but in order to increase its shelf life, remove the odor, and sustain high heat cooking, lots chemical processes have been added which also included hydrogenation process. This process can form as much as 40% trans fatty acids in canola, even more than soybean oil. (3)
Other detrimental effects come with canola oils are following:
- Canola depletes vitamin E which will impact chronic diseases like heart, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.
- Canola increases the rigidity of membranes (which is a major aging factor and trigger for degenerative diseases like diabetes).
- Canola has the potential to damage hearts creating fibrosis impairing the action of vitamin E (crucial in inflammation).
- In human studies, there was an increase in lung cancers as well as heart damage.
- Daily canola oil raised the triglycerides a staggering 47%.
Comment’s from Dr. Alan Wu DC:
It is unfortunate but once again we have been misled by big cooperation mass marketing strategy. Science once again has spoken out and it is time to educate ourselves again. Like previously stated, when in doubt, go with coconut or cold press virgin olive oil. You will probably be more safe with these 2 than others. I take a full teaspoonful of coconut oil every morning for energy and get my body ready for the day. Also, the holiday season is here and team ICON would like to wish you all a happy and safe holiday!
References:
- Calabrese C, et al., A cross-over study of the effect of a single oral feeding of medium chain triglyceride oil vs. canola oil on post-ingestion plasma triglyceride levels in the healthy men. Altern Med Rev. 1999 Feb;4(1):23-8
- Pedersen, T, et al., Mouse Study: Canola Oil Linked to Weight Gain, Memory Decline in Alzheimer’s. Psych Central. Dec. 14, 2017
- Innis SM, et al, Dietary canola oil alters hematological indices and blood lipids in neonatal piglets fed formula, J Nutr 129:1261-68, 1999
- Sauer FD. et al. Additional vitamin E required in milk replacer diets that contain canola oil, Nutr Res 17; 2:259-69, 1997
- https://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/public/891.cfm.