Seed Oils: What Are They, Where Did They Come From, and Why Are They Bad?

For the health conscious out there, you probably know all about seed oils and their harmful effect on the human body. You probably know that, unfortunately, thanks to an effective marketing campaign from the big food companies, seed oils are now used in many food products and for a lot of cooking done at your favorite restaurants.

For those either know about seed oils, even those that don't, have you ever wondered about the history of seed oils and why they may not be the healthiest option for human consumption? When you consider how unhealthy they are for you, their history and how they made it to become such a staple in our diet might shock you.

Let's delve into the fascinating story behind seed oils and why experts caution against their use.

What are seed oils?

Seed oils are extracted from the seeds of plants such as sunflowers, soybeans, corn, and canola. After gathering large quantities of these seeds, they go through a lengthy process to extract the oils from these seeds. This is why there are referred to as being highly processed, but now, you're probably wondering what that process looks like.

The process begins with heating the seeds to extremely high temperatures in order to cause the unsaturated fatty acids to present in the seeds to oxidize, which, at the same time, creates harmful byproducts when consumed by either people or animals. Next, to maximize the yield of oil from the seeds, they are treated with a petroleum-based solvent, hexane.

After they are treated with this chemical formula, seed oil manufacturers treat the oils, which have a very off-putting smell once extracted, with a deodorizer. However, this part of the process produces trans fats, which are well known by now to have harmful effects on human and animal health.

Finally, you may have guessed it, the oils are treated with yet more chemicals to make them more presentable and improve the color to one that people are more accustomed to cooking with and consuming.

Now that we have a better understanding of what seed oils are and how they are produced, we should discuss where they come from and how they became so prevalent in the American diet. For that, we need to go through the history of seed oils and how they made their way to the dinner table.

History of Seed Oils

Widespread use of seed oils in our diet is a relatively recent phenomenon, stemming from the industrialization of food production in the 20th century. First used as engine lubricants, as well as an innovative way to make soap, it wasn't until the early 1900s that they began to be used and marketed as a food product.

Rewind back to Cincinnati in the 1870s, when soapmakers William Procter and James Gamble discovered a new way of producing soap that didn't require animal lard. Once cottonseed oil had been replaced by oil for lighting, cottonseed oil was labeled as "toxic waste" until the pair of soapmakers discovered you could use this oil to make soap.

However, it was soon after that they also realized there was another use for these oils that could be a great business opportunity for the two. Put through a process known as "hydrogenation", which adds hydrogen to a liquid fat such as vegetable oil, to turn it into a solid fat at room temperature. Through this process, this once toxic waste was then became an integral part of the American diet when Crisco was introduced to the market in the early 1900s.

From then on, seed oils snaked their way into what seems today nearly all of our food products, making it difficult to avoid them and their harmful effects.

Next time you go shopping at the grocery store or even out to eat at your favorite spot, look to see how prevalent seed oils actually are. Spoiler alert: we are surrounded by them and hardly even notice.

But so what? Are seed oils even all that bad for you? That brings us to our next topic of discussion, why seed oils are unhealthy.

Why Seed Oils Are Unhealthy

Despite their popularity, seed oils have come under scrutiny from health experts due to their high levels of omega-6 fatty acids. While omega-6 fatty acids are essential for the body, an imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can lead to inflammation and various other health issues.

Inflammatory

Seed oils contain linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that can contribute to inflammation, which may lead to chronic diseases. This inflammation can also cause skin problems.

Chronic inflammation can cause a hormonal imbalance and can contribute to various health issues, including estrogen dominance, insulin resistance, and thyroid dysfunction.

According to research, a proinflammatory diet can lead to an increased chance of developing colorectal cancer in both men and women. Yet another thing in our diets that can contribute to the development of cancer.

Highly Unstable

When exposed to heat, light, or chemicals, the polyunsaturated fatty acids in seed oils can oxidize and create trans fats and lipid peroxides, which can cause heart problems and speed up aging.

Imbalanced Omega-6-to-Omega-3 Ratio

Humans need a 1:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, but seed oils have high concentrations of omega-6. This imbalance can lead to health issues further down the road for those who consume these man-made oils.

Contain Harmful Additives

Industrial seed oils may contain harmful additives and may come from genetically modified crops. As we touched on above, many chemicals are used throughout the process of extraction to help make the oils more palatable to the end consumer. If these oils were not treated with these chemicals, there would be no market for them as people would be repulsed by the color and smell.

How to Avoid Them

Perhaps the easiest way to avoid seed oils is to cut out all processed foods from your diet, or at the very least, know what ingredients are in your food. A good rule of thumb is to remember food doesn't have ingredients, food is ingredients. You shouldn't be consuming anything that has a lengthy ingredients list, because more often than not, food companies will find a way to slip them in there.

Another easy way is to limit the amount you eat out. Many restaurant chains these days cook their food in seed oils because it is more cost effective to buy large quantities of these oils than it is to buy and cook in animal fat. A great example is McDonald's fries. These fries used to be fried in animal fat... until they made the switch to cooking them in "vegetable" oil in 1990. The simultaneous rise in fast food consumption, along side the departure from using whole foods, has also contributed to the exponential rise of obesity in the United States today.

By focusing on whole foods rather than highly processed foods and reducing the amount you and your family eat out, you can have much more control over your intake of these harmful compounds.

Living a Based Life

While seed oils have become a staple in many modern diets, it's essential to be aware of their potential health risks.

Opting for healthier alternatives such as olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil can help reduce your intake of omega-6 fatty acids and minimize your exposure to harmful compounds.

When you decide to take back control over your diet, and in turn, your health and well-being, you can begin to free yourself from the chronic illnesses that plague this country. Taking back your sovereignty is how you live a Based lifestyle.