I used to think sugar was the ultimate bad guy in the battle against obesity. After all, it’s the obvious junk food: sugary snacks, sodas, desserts, you name it…
But then I came across a research paper that completely changed how I think about health.
Why?
Let’s go back in time a little…
Oils extracted from plant seeds, such as canola, corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, soybean, sunflower, and safflower were created over 100 years ago during a time when health regulations barely existed. They quickly became a staple in processed foods, marketed as “heart healthy.”
But the truth is those claims were based on outdated, flawed research.
Fast-forward to the present… and countless studies on animals, human cells, and real-world clinical trials have revealed the dangers of seed oils.
When heated, they oxidize, releasing harmful compounds that can wreak havoc on your health.
But the problem isn’t just fried foods, the problem is that these highly processed oils are everywhere.
They affect your waistline, disrupt your metabolism, slow your thyroid, and even impact brain function.
How?
By mimicking hibernation.
Scientists like Brad Marshall discovered that oils extracted from plant seeds trick your body into fat storage mode, just like a bear preparing for winter.
But you’re not a bear, are you?
The high levels of linoleic acid (a type of polyunsaturated fat) slow your metabolism, telling your body to store fat.
But here’s the big problem with that…
There’s no winter scarcity for us, so we just keep storing more and more fat.
Do you start to see why seed oil is bad?
Here’re are three reasons seed oils are bad for your heart and metabolism
1. Arterial plaque buildup: Seed oils promote the buildup of thick plaques that narrow your arteries, increasing your risk of heart attacks and strokes.
2. Toxic when heated: When used in fried foods, seed oils release harmful compounds that trigger inflammation and insulin resistance—two major drivers of obesity and diabetes.
3. Direct link to weight gain: Dr. Chris Knobbe, a leading researcher, has spent years studying the role of seed oils in obesity.
His findings?
Even when calorie intake stays the same, people consuming seed oil heavy diets gain more weight than those eating traditional fats like grass fed butter or coconut oil.
A study published in Nature revealed that animals fed a high-linoleic acid diet (the primary fat in seed oils) became obese, even without overeating.
The scary part? You probably eat seed oils every single day without even realizing it.
Restaurant meals – Most places use cheap oils instead of healthy fats.
Packaged foods – Even “healthy” snacks often contain hidden seed oils.
Fried foods – From French fries to fried chicken, seed oils are the go-to because they are the cheapest to fry with.
How to Avoid Seed Oils
If you want to protect your health and maintain a healthy weight, here’s where to start:
1. Cook at home: Use traditional fats like butter, olive oil, or coconut oil.
2. Read labels carefully and watch out for these eight toxic industrial seed oils: Canola, Corn, Cottonseed, Soy, Sunflower, Safflower, Grapeseed, and Rice Bran.
3. Choose whole foods: The fewer processed foods you eat, the fewer seed oils you’ll consume.
4. Pick restaurants wisely: Ask about the oils they use. Support restaurants that use lard for frying. Lard is considered better for frying because it has a higher smoke point than many oils extracted from plant seeds, meaning it can withstand higher temperatures without burning, making it ideal for frying.
Why This Is This Important for Your Life Right Now
Seed oils aren’t just making you gain weight… they’re altering your bodies at the cellular level.
From disrupting hormones to fueling chronic inflammation, these oils are quietly damaging your health every single day.
Your body has an incredible ability to heal itself, so it’s almost never too late to make a change!
By removing seed oils from your diet, you’re taking a crucial step toward:
1. More energy
2. Better metabolism
3. A body that works with you, not against you
Your health isn’t just about adding good food, it’s about removing the harmful ones.
Start small. Swap seed oils for healthier fats like grass fed butter, extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil and you’ll be amazed at the difference.
It’s time to shift the focus away from the lies they’ve been telling you for decades…
And finally shine a light on the hidden enemy: seed oils.
Are you ready to make the change? Your body (and your future self) will thank you.
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REFERENCES:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5686013
https://www.zeroacre.com/white-papers/how-vegetable-oil-makes-us-fat
https://www.stevegranthealth.com/articles-posts/cholesterol-lowering-spreads-and-seed-oils-increase-heart-disease-risk https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-worst-ingredient-in-the-world-interview-with/id1339976762?i=1000661505114
https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/heart-health/mouse-study-suggests-linoleic-acid-more-closely-tied-obesity-saturated
https://youtu.be/xEGPWFHDtOA