Atherosclerosis: the truth about seed oils and arterial damage
For years, we’ve been told that seed oils were “heart-friendly.” Advertising campaigns, medical advice, and attractive labels convinced us that oils like sunflower, soybean, and peanut were essential for keeping LDL cholesterol low and protecting heart health. However, the reality is quite different. These seemingly harmless oils could be among the main culprits of arterial damage and atherosclerosis, one of the leading causes of cardiovascular diseases. Behind the mainstream narrative lies an unsettling truth that we must understand.
Seed oils are highly processed industrial products, extracted using chemical solvents and high temperatures. This method makes them extremely unstable, promoting the formation of oxidized fats even before they reach our tables. When we consume these oils, we introduce unstable molecules into our bodies, which damage cells and promote oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, in turn, is a key driver of chronic inflammation and arterial damage. In other words, the oxidized fats we ingest through seed oils create an internal environment that fosters the development of cardiovascular disease.
Another fundamental issue with seed oils is their high omega-6 fatty acid content. While small amounts of omega-6 are essential for the body, the problem lies in excess consumption. Modern diets, dominated by processed foods and seed oils, disrupt the delicate balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. This imbalance fuels chronic inflammation, a condition underlying many diseases, including atherosclerosis. Inflammation not only promotes the formation of arterial plaques but also makes existing plaques unstable and dangerous, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The traditional narrative around LDL cholesterol, often labeled as the “bad” cholesterol, is another critical point that needs reconsideration. Lowering LDL cholesterol is frequently presented as the ultimate goal for protecting the heart, but this view is simplistic and misleading. Not all LDL particles are the same. Small, dense LDL particles are the most dangerous because they are more prone to oxidation and more likely to penetrate arterial walls. When this happens, it triggers an inflammatory response that encourages the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Seed oils, with their chemical instability, accelerate the oxidation of LDL particles, increasing the risk of arterial damage.
This process doesn’t stop there. Oxidized LDL particles become trapped in arterial walls, triggering a vicious cycle of inflammation and plaque buildup. The damage is further amplified by factors such as high blood sugar levels, smoking, alcohol, and environmental toxins. However, the regular consumption of seed oils creates a particularly favorable environment for these harmful processes, making them a key driver in the development of atherosclerosis.
It is important to note that the consumption of seed oils is a relatively recent phenomenon. For millennia, humans relied on natural fats like butter, lard, and olive oil without experiencing the negative effects we see today. Seed oils, introduced into diets only in the last century, are foreign to our biology. When these fats are incorporated into cell membranes, they destabilize cellular structures, making us more vulnerable to inflammation and oxidative stress. In simple terms, they are not compatible with our bodies.
The solution to this problem isn’t complicated. It’s simply a matter of replacing seed oils with natural, nutrient-rich alternatives. Fats like butter, ghee, lard, and tallow, along with traditional oils like olive and coconut, are stable, less prone to oxidation, and provide essential fatty acids without the risks associated with seed oils. These fats, an integral part of human diets for centuries, support heart and arterial health rather than compromising it.
However, real change must begin with awareness. It’s time to shift the focus away from the outdated narrative about LDL cholesterol and concentrate on what truly matters: inflammation, oxidative stress, and the role of seed oils in creating an environment conducive to arterial damage. Seed oils are not the heart-friendly allies we’ve been led to believe but a silent threat that promotes harmful conditions for arteries and the heart.
Making a conscious choice means eliminating seed oils from our diets and favoring natural, nutrient-dense, and minimally processed foods. With this approach, we can not only reduce the risk of atherosclerosis but also lay the foundation for a longer and healthier life. To truly protect your heart, it’s time to move beyond the advertising lies and return to a diet that respects our biology and fosters our well-being.
Bibliography:
Ravnskov, U. et al. “The Questionable Benefits of Lowering LDL Cholesterol.” Journal of Clinical Lipidology, 2020.
Ramsden, C. E., et al. “The Effects of Linoleic Acid on Inflammation and Atherosclerosis.” BMJ, 2013.
Mozaffarian, D., et al. “Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Health: Current Evidence and Controversies.” Circulation, 2021.
Parthasarathy, S. et al. “Oxidised Low-Density Lipoprotein: A Role in Atherogenesis.” Journal of Lipid Research, 2010.