What is Canola Oil?
In 1970 the Canola Plant was genetically engineered in response to the FDA banning rapeseed oil which is the main source of canola oil in today’s market. Rapeseed oil was banned due to showing high levels of anti-nutrients and decreased absorption for iodine in the body. Since Canola oil has low saturated fats, researchers speculated that it must be one of the best oils for the heart. What has been found is that with everything else in Canola oil, it increases heart damage and inflammation.
Why is Canola Bad for Humans?
Canola sales increased rapidly in the early 90’s. In order to keep up with demand, Monsanto produced GMO seeds and farmers spray gross amounts of Roundup on their crops multiple times per year. After the plant has been altered and heavily treated with toxic chemicals to our bodies, the Canola seed is ground up and extracted through a chemical solvent. These practices strip away all benefits that Canola oil could potentially have and people are left with a toxic solvent oil that they are using in their everyday meals to cook with or when they order food at fast food restaurants.
What Damage can be done?
- Canola oil is high in trans fats which increases inflammation in the body and hardens arteries, increasing risk for heart disease
- Increased risk for stroke as shown in mice models.
- Increased risk for Alzheimer’s and memory issues related to neuron damage as shown in mice studies.
- Depletion of Vitamin E occurs as well as depletion of our main antioxidant glutathione, increasing oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in the body
- Daily canola oil raised the triglycerides a staggering 47%.
- ***Interesting Fact*** In 1985 the Federal Register- FDA outlawed canola oil in infant formulas because it retarded growth.
Best Alternatives:
- Grass-fed ghee or butter – best for cooking in heated dishes
- Coconut oil – can cook at higher heat and frying
- Extra virgin olive oil – best for salads and cold dishes
- Avocado oil – best for salads and cold dishes
References:
- https://blog.bulletproof.com/what-is-canola-oil/
- 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-indigestion plasma triglyceride levels in healthy men, Altern Med Rev 4; 1:23-28, 1999
- Enig M, Know Your Fats (Bethesda Press, 2000), The Oiling of America, also website: westonaprice.org/know your fats/canola
- 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
- Kwon JS, et al, Effects of diets high in saturated fatty acids, canola oil, or safflower oil on platelet function, thromboxane B2 formation and fatty acid composition of platelet phospholipids, Am J Clin Nutr, 54:351-58, 1991
- MacDonald BE, et al, Comparison of the effects of canola oil and sunflower oil on plasma lipids and lipoproteins and on in vivo thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin production in healthy young men, Am J Clin Nutr 50:382-88, 1989
- Rogers, Sherry. Total Wellness. Prestige Publishing
- Duque-Guimaraes DE, et al, Early and prolonged intake of partially hydrogenated fat alters the expression of genes in rat adipose tissue, Nutr: 782-9, 2009