A new study suggests that one of the most commonly used Cooking and Salad Oils in North America, known to contribute to the development of obesity and diabetes, could increase the risk of neurological conditions such as autism, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and depression…
If the ingredients list on the package simply says ‘Vegetable Oil’, it’s most
likely Soy Bean Oil, which not only leads to obesity and diabetes,
but could also affect neurological conditions like autism,
Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and depression.
Soy bean oil is the single most popular cooking oil in North America and is found in most Margarines as well. If you look at the ingredients list on a product at the supermarket and you see ‘Vegetable Oil’ that’s more than likely Soy Bean Oil, too. One reason it’s so popular with home cooks and food processors alike is that it’s just about the cheapest cooking oil you can get.
What they did
Researchers at the University of California Riverside (UCR) conducted a mouse-based study on the effects of Soy Bean Oil on a wide range of bodily functions and its possible connection with common diseases and health conditions. They compared the health of mice on a Soy Bean Oil diet with others given Coconut Oil.
What they found
They discovered that while Coconut Oil – similar in many ways to Soy Bean Oil – did not induce the same conditions and diseases in the test mice as Soy Bean Oil did.
According to an abstract of the study report, it appears that the presence of high levels of Linoleic acid in Soy Bean Oil is at the root of its disease-inducing effects. Researchers postulate that Linoleic Acid effects gene expression in the hypothalamus – the area of the brain that regulates many bodily functions – reducing the level of the hormone Oxytocin in the hypothalamus, impairing the organ’s ability to regulate critical functions.
“The hypothalamus regulates body weight via your metabolism, maintains body temperature, is critical for reproduction and physical growth as well as your response to stress,” said Margarita Curras-Collazo, a UCR Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Lead Author on the study.
The takeaway
The researchers stress it appears that only Soy Bean Oil produces the ill effects they observed on the hypothalamus. Other Soy-derived foods do not.
“Do not throw out your Tofu, Soymilk, Edamame, or Soy Sauce,” said Frances Sladek, a UCR Toxicologist and Professor of Cell Biology. “Many soy products only contain small amounts of the oil, and large amounts of healthful compounds such as essential fatty acids and proteins.”
“This could help design healthier dietary oils in the future,” said Poonamjot Deol, an Assistant Project Scientist in Sladek’s laboratory.””If there’s one message I want people to take away, it’s this: reduce consumption of soybean oil.”
My take
I never use Soy Bean Oil for anything in my kitchen. Olive Oil for Vinaigrettes, Canola Oil for most stove-top cooking applications, Corn Oil for Baking, and Sesame or Peanut Oil for Asian Stir Frys or Saucy Indian dishes. I recommend the same regime to you. Soy Bean oil may be inexpensive, but it be costing us all billions in health care treatment, not to mention the effects it could be having on our own bodies.
~ Maggie J.