#mahapseudoscience — Public Fediverse posts

Seed oils — what are the facts and why RFK Jr hates them

HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement have targeted popular cooking oils known as seed oils because they contribute to inflammation and chronic disease. Is there a seed of truth (couldn’t resist) to his claims?I had never heard the term “seed oils” until a few months ago. Still, it has become a topic among social media influencers (not a reliable source for science-based medical information). Restaurants and “health food” brands are now pushing butter and beef tallow (rendered fat from around the cows’ organs) in their foods.So, is there anything to RFK Jr’s claims about these oils? As you can guess, it’s complicated, but he does not have a clue about the science of these oils. This article will examine what seed oils are and what the science says about their effects on health. What are seed oils?Just from the name, you can assume that these are cooking oils that are made from the seeds of plants. But most of the healthy food advocates target the following oils:canola (also known as rapeseed)corncottonseedgrapeseedrice bransafflowersoybeansunflowerThese seed oils are generally high in unsaturated fatty acids, including polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, and low in saturated fats.On the other hand, beef tallow and butter are high in saturated fats, which are solid fats found primarily in animal products and certain tropical oils. Saturated fats are linked to high LDL cholesterol (known as bad cholesterol) levels, which can increase the risk of heart disease.Clearly, the American Heart Association recommends cooking and consuming oils (whether from seeds or not) that are high in unsaturated fats:All fats provide 9 calories per gram. However, monounsaturated fats can have a positive effect on your health, when eaten in moderation. The “bad” fats — saturated fats and trans fats — can negatively affect your health.