Why I Advise Against Seed Oils for Optimal Health
By: Jennifer Alvarez Linguidi, Functional & Nutritional Medicine Practitioner
As a Certified Nutritional and Functional Medicine Practitioner committed to addressing the root causes of health issues, I consistently guide my clients to eliminate industrial seed oils from their diets. Often promoted as “heart-healthy,” these highly processed oils can disrupt the body’s cellular balance and contribute to chronic health concerns. We certainly have enough toxins in our body from situations that we are unable to control like the air we breathe at various places we visit, etc. The positive aspect of this topic is that you can be empowered when you are grocery shopping or when you are eating out or cooking for your family.
What Are Seed Oils?
• Canola (rapeseed) oil
• Soybean oil
• Corn oil
• Sunflower oil
• Safflower oil
• Cottonseed oil
• Grapeseed oil
These oils are extracted through high-heat industrial processes, often involving chemicals like hexane, followed by deodorizing and bleaching. Such methods yield products that are far from ideal for regular dietary consumption.
The Concerns with Seed Oils
Excessive Omega-6 Fatty Acids: While omega-6 fatty acids are essential in moderation, the modern diet, rich in processed foods, often leads to an overabundance of these fats. This imbalance with omega-3 fatty acids promotes chronic inflammation, a key driver of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, obesity, and autoimmune disorders.
Oxidative Damage: Seed oils are highly susceptible to oxidation when exposed to heat, light, or air. Oxidized oils generate free radicals, which can damage cells, accelerate aging, and increase the risk of inflammation-related diseases, including cancer.
Metabolic and Hormonal Imbalances: Research associates excessive seed oil consumption with insulin resistance, increased gut permeability (leaky gut), and thyroid dysfunction—conditions frequently observed in clinical practice.
Prevalence in “Healthy” Foods: Many products labeled as “organic” or “natural” contain seed oils like canola or sunflower oil. Always check ingredient labels to make informed choices.
There are healthier alternatives that are nutrient dense and anti-inflammatory that you can use for cooking, dressings, and daily use. The oils that I am talking about are Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Grass-Fed Ghee or Butter, Cold-Pressed Cod Liver Oil, Beef Tallow, or Avocado Oil. Fish Oil, I recommend you to use as a supplement…we can talk about this one or if you are interested in learning more in depth about Fish Oil you can reach out to me and I can write about that in a future blog.
I encourage you to experiment with the oils considered healthier options (below) and see how you feel! Just keep in mind if you rotate them often it may be difficult to know which one (or more) that your body doesn’t like. You could try (1) option for (1) week and take note on how you feel and then try another and so on. After you have gone through all of them for at least a week you can compare what you liked and what you didn’t. (Just be careful if you have any laboratory tests coming up as some blood tests could be hindered by Fish Oil. You will want to consult your practitioner on that as it an individualized thing).
Here are a few details that you may be interested in (not in order by my favorite):
1) Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Packed with antioxidants and polyphenols and ideal for low- to medium-heat cooking. Additionally, it supports cardiovascular and cognitive health.
2) Organic Coconut Oil: Rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Stable at high temperatures and promotes metabolic and gut health.
3) Grass-Fed Ghee or Butter: Contains butyrate, a compound that supports gut healing. High in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
4) Cold-Pressed Cod Liver Oil or Fish Oil: Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids which enhances heart, skin, brain, and immune function.
5) Avocado Oil: High smoke point, suitable for cooking and rich in monounsaturated fats. Supports skin health and hormonal balance,
6) Beef Tallow: Primarily composed of saturated and monounsaturated fats, which makes it highly stable at high temperatures. It doesn’t oxidize easily like seed oils do. Grass-fed beef tallow contains fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, as well as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Supports hormonal and cellular health. Your hormones are made from cholesterol and fat. Tallow provides the building blocks for a healthy endocrine system and cell membrane integrity. Before seed oils were industrially manufactured, tallow was a kitchen staple. Many cultures thrived on it as a primary fat source.
Transitioning from industrial seed oils to nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory alternatives is a powerful step toward optimizing health. By making informed choices about the fats you consume, you can reduce inflammation, support metabolic balance, and promote long-term wellness. Always prioritize whole, minimally processed oils to nourish your body effectively. If you have a desire to find out the root cause of what is going on in your body we encourage you to set up a time with us. Wishing you a happy and healthy life and don’t forget to read all your food labels as their could be unhealthy ingredients hiding.
