Seed oils cause chronic inflammation which can promote cancer development

Two published studies in a week highlighted the dangers of using and consuming seed oils on the development and progression of different types of cancers, and the benefits of omega-3 fats on the reduction of cancer risks.

One study (Aronson et. Al., 2024) found that a diet higher in omega-3 fats, compared to a standard Western diet, reduce the risk of prostate cancer development by reducing inflammation, improving immune system function, and also by improving cholesterol levels in some immune system cells. It is known that low cholesterol levels is a risk factor for low immune system function and cancer development. This study recommended a higher omega-3 diet and/or supplements, along with a reduced omega-6 diet
The second study, looking at colon cancer, suggests that cancer is the result of poor wound healing from inflammation (Soundararajan et. Al., 2024), and that chronic inflammation can be driven by a Western diet too high in omega-6 fats can potentially lead to cancers.

Omega-3 fats are called “essential” fats, as they are essential in our diets, because our bodies cannot make them. They are not just found in fish or fish oil supplements, but in wild caught or free range or grass-fed animal meats including beef and lamb (Daley et. Al., 2010).

In contrast, grain-fed animal meats, even farmed fish, will be higher in omega-6 fats, which can cause inflammation when the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio is unbalanced in the diet and in the body. This can increase the risks of cancer development.

Omega-6 fats are more found in many seed or plant oils including the following:
• Grapeseed oil
• Rice bran oil
• Sunflower oil and safflower oil
• Corn oil
• Cottonseed oil
• Canola oil
• Soybean oil
• “Vegetable” oil or shortening
• Many grains, nuts and seeds.
And of course grain-fed animal meats are high in omega-6 fats.

These processed plant oils and sources of omega-6 fats should be reduced or avoided in your diet, and instead eat more sources of omega-3 fats. Not just for cancer prevention, but for your overall health.

Stay healthy!


References:

Aronson, W.J., Pei L., Jardack, P., Liddell, A.R., Perez, C., Elashoff, D., Said, J., Cohen, P., Marks, L.S., & Henning, S.M. (2024). High Omega-3, Low Omega-6 Diet With Fish Oil for Men With Prostate Cancer on Active Surveillance: The CAPFISH-3 Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology (43), 800-809. DOI:10.1200/JCO.24.00608

Daley, C.A., Abbott, A., Doyle, P.S., Nader, G.A. & Larson, S. (2010). A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef. Nutrition Journal, 9, 10. DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-9-10

​Soundararajan R, Maurin MM, Rodriguez-Silva J, Upadhyay, G., Alden, A.J., Gowda, S., Gowda, B., Schell, M.J., Yang, M., Levine, N.J., Gowda, D., Sundaraswamy, P.M., Hui, S-P., Pflieger, L., Wang, H., Marcet, J., Martinez, C., Bennett, R.B., Chudzinski, A., Karachristos, A., Nywening, T.M., Cavallaro, P.M., Anderson, M.L., Coffey, R.J., Nebozhyn, M.V., Loboda, A., Coppola, D., Pledger, W,J., Halade, G.V., & Yeatman, T.J. (2024). Integration of lipidomics with targeted, single cell, and spatial transcriptomics defines an unresolved pro-inflammatory state in colon cancer, Gut;74:586-602.