Oiling the Meals?

 

As proposed Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy junior appears to subscribe to the full range of conspiracy 'theories'. For example, he claims that seed oils are 'poisoning us'. Many seeds contain oils, as these natural lipids power the plant's germination. Seed oils, can be extracted from Rape (Canula oil in the US); Sunflower; Soybean; Corn; Grape; Safflower etc. They are cheap and easy to cook with. Seed oils are also ingredients in many food products, especially in the US. These oils contain unsaturated fats, and are considerably more healthy than cooking with butter or lard (pig fat). These latter saturated fats, are strongly linked to arteriosclerosis. They deposit plaque in the linings of blood vessels, greatly increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Kennedy claims that seed oils increase 'inflammation'  and, possibly, type 2 diabetes. He also worries about hexane, a solvent used to facilitate oil extraction from some seeds by certain producers  (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/13/robert-f-kennedy-jr-claims-seed-oils-are-poisoning-us-heres-why-hes-wrong). Firstly, one should note that inflammation is a natural, protective mechanism, when it occurs at the right time in the right location. Secondly, attention should be drawn to a number of well-conducted, independent experiments on human volunteers, that have found no evidence that seed oils increase inflammation. This is in spite of their containing omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids (unlike omega-3 counterparts) may be inflammatory in animal studies. In humans, however, Sunflower and Rapeseed oils are actually anti-inflammatory. Lastly, it's important to stress that the hexane used in oil extraction is removed at the end of the process. The concentrations that are allowed in seed oils are less than one is exposed to, on a daily basis, by air pollution. Persuading folk to replace their seed oils by saturated fats, would have detrimental effects on their health. The thing about conspiracy 'theories', however, is that no amount of contrary evidence ever seems to convince their acolytes. Failing that, perhaps the best advice is to use, if you can afford it, a good Olive oil?