The Oil That's Aging You: What You Need to Know About Seed Oils

By: Jesse Brenon, PTA

A couple of years ago, I started paying closer attention to the foods I was eating because they weren't giving me the health results I had hoped for.

I was eating what I thought was a well-balanced diet; full of grilled chicken, light salad dressings, and other healthy packaged foods...but something still felt off.

I found myself still getting sick despite exercising often and having a well balanced diet most of the time.

That’s when I stumbled across the topic of seed oils: ingredients like canola, soybean, corn, safflower, cottonseed, rapeseed, and sunflower oil that are in nearly everything these days.

I was shocked to learn that these highly processed oils, found in so many “healthy” packaged foods, may actually be contributing to chronic inflammation, sicknesses, and other long-term health issues.

If you’re someone who’s trying to take better care of your heart, your joints, or your mind as you age, this is something you need to know about.

Because sometimes, the smallest things (like the type of oil in your pantry) can make the biggest difference in how we feel each day.

Let’s take a closer look at why seed oils may be doing more harm than good, and what you can do to protect your health moving forward.

What Are Seed Oils?

Seed oils are extracted from the seeds of plants using high heat, chemical solvents (like hexane), and industrial processing.

This process strips the oil of nutrients and can result in the formation of oxidized fats and harmful byproducts; compounds your body wasn’t designed to handle.

These oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which aren’t inherently bad in their natural form.

In fact, our bodies need some omega-6s to function.

But most Americans today consume far too many omega-6s and not enough omega-3s, creating a dangerous imbalance that promotes chronic inflammation which may be the root cause of many diseases, including heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s.

The Inflammation Connection

Chronic inflammation is like a slow-burning fire in the body.

Over time, it damages tissues, wears down joints, impairs brain function, and weakens the immune system.

For middle-aged and older adults, reducing inflammation is key to preserving mobility, cognition, and overall vitality.

Seed oils contribute to this inflammation, especially when consumed regularly over years or decades.

Add in a diet full of processed foods and frequent dining out, and it’s easy to see how the average person might unknowingly be feeding this internal fire.

What You Can Do

The good news? It’s never too late to make a change.

Here are some easy steps you can take to reduce your intake of harmful seed oils and support better health:

• Read labels carefully. Watch for oils like soybean, canola, corn, sunflower, cottonseed, rapeseed, and safflower in ingredient lists.

• Cook with traditional fats. Opt for heart-healthy alternatives like olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, butter, or ghee.

• Limit processed and fried foods. These are often loaded with refined seed oils.

• Choose whole foods. Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean proteins, and healthy fats are your best allies.

Your body has an incredible capacity to heal and thrive when given the right tools.

By reducing seed oils and choosing nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory foods, you’re not just eating better, you're proving your body what it needs to heal and detoxify itself.

A Better Path Forward

The truth is, we’ve been told for decades that seed oils are healthy, but science is beginning to paint a very different picture.

While we can’t change the past, we can take simple, intentional steps to support our bodies today and in the years to come.

Swapping out seed oils for healthier fats (such as olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, butter, or ghee), cutting back on processed foods, and cooking more at home may seem like small changes; but over time, they can make a big impact on inflammation, energy, joint health, and even our brain function.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being aware.

The more we understand what’s in our food, the more empowered we become to make choices that truly nourish us.

Your health is your foundation: protect it, support it, and it will carry you into your best years yet.