From Seed to Sickness: The Shady Side of Seed Oils

What are Seed Oils, Really?

Let’s talk about seed oils—these sneaky little ingredients are hiding in so many of the foods we eat, and most of us have no idea how they’re affecting our health. Seed oils are extracted using high heat and chemical solvents like hexane (sounds delicious, right?). The process starts with cleaning and grinding up the seeds, then blasting them with heat to squeeze out every drop of oil. But because the oil is unstable and prone to oxidation (which basically means it goes bad easily), it has to be refined even further. This involves deodorizing, bleaching, and stripping away any impurities—along with any nutrients that might have been in there. What's left? Trans fats and other harmful byproducts.

These oils are loaded with omega-6 fatty acids, especially linoleic acid. And while a little omega-6 is fine, too much of it throws your body’s balance way out of whack. Ideally, we want a healthy ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats (the anti-inflammatory heroes), but modern diets are overflowing with omega-6s, leading to—you guessed it—chronic inflammation. This type of inflammation is linked to all kinds of issues: heart disease, weight gain, diabetes, and other serious health problems.

Also, for clarity’s sake (this confused me early on in my journey), “vegetable oil” is the umbrella term for all the seed oils.

Oh, and don’t forget about soy lecithin! It's another byproduct of soybean processing, commonly used in everything from food to cosmetics. Like seed oils, it's often processed with chemicals like hexane, and some of us (🙋‍♀️) prefer to avoid it as part of a cleaner, less processed lifestyle.

How Do Seed Oils Cause Inflammation?

Here’s a quick breakdown of how seed oils contribute to inflammation:

1. Imbalance of Omega-6 to Omega-3: Our bodies need a balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fats to stay healthy. But modern diets are drowning in omega-6, thanks to seed oils, tipping the scale toward inflammation.

   

2. Oxidation and Free Radicals: Seed oils oxidize easily, especially when exposed to heat. This creates free radicals, which damage your cells and lead to oxidative stress—a key factor in inflammation and diseases like heart disease and arthritis.

3. Altering Cell Membranes: The fats you eat become part of your cell membranes. Too many omega-6 fats from seed oils can mess with the structure and function of your cells, making them more prone to inflammation.

4. Triggering Inflammatory Pathways: Consuming too much omega-6 activates enzymes that increase inflammatory compounds (we’re talking about prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which sound as bad as they are). This leads to chronic, low-grade inflammation.

I see this firsthand with my clients all the time. Many come in complaining about fatigue, joint pain, bloating, and just feeling “off.” And as a skincare specialist, I can often see the inflammation in their skin—our largest organ—reflecting what’s going on inside their bodies. Their skin tells the story: chronic inflammation shows up as redness, irritation, and more.

After years of hearing the same concerns and dealing with my own health struggles, I started connecting the dots—our food is at the root of these problems. And not just any food, but the foods we think are healthy, the ones loaded with seed oils. We’ve been misled, plain and simple.

I Get It—Changing Habits is Hard

I’m not here to preach. I was fooled too! Once I learned what I was really eating and how it was affecting me, I had to make some serious changes. And trust me, I know it’s hard to switch up your habits. Good food can cost more, and sometimes it feels like seed oils are lurking in everything. But it’s time to prioritize your health. Seed oils are doing a number on your body, and taking control of what you’re eating is the first step toward feeling better and living longer.

It’s not just about you, either. If you’ve got kids, I know you want the best for them. What you might not realize is that they’re being exposed to these harmful oils too. We need to start making better choices for ourselves and our families. That means educating our children about the importance of what goes into their bodies. By teaching them early, we empower them to make healthier choices that will benefit them for life. It’s up to us to lead by example.

So, What CAN You Eat?

Take a deep breath—we’re not going to dwell on the bad. Let’s focus on what we can eat: Butter, Tallow, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, and Coconut Oil. These are the real MVPs, the healthy fats that support your body rather than inflame it.

The first step is reading the ingredients on everything you buy and cutting out seed oils wherever possible. I know it’s tough, but it’s totally doable. While the goal is to eliminate them completely, I understand that’s a tall order in today’s world. So I’m challenging you to reduce them as much as you can. And don’t forget—ditch the plastic too! Buy your products in glass containers when possible .

Your Body Deserves Better

Our bodies are amazing machines, capable of incredible things when they’re properly nourished and cared for. Take the time to do your research and make informed decisions about what you’re putting in your body. If you need help or have questions, reach out to me. I’m here to support you and can connect you with a nutritionist to guide you on your journey to better health. Together, we can make the changes needed to live healthier, happier lives.

Here are a couple of great articles to check out. Weston A. Price is an excellent source of information on nutrition and health.

The Dangers of Industrial Fats and Oils

How Vegetable Oils Destroy Our Health

The Big Fat Surprise: Toxic Heated Oils