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Common cooking oil fueling colon cancer in young Americans: What a new study says
The past decade has seen a sharp rise in cancer cases and the worrying part is, this rise is also seen in younger population. A deadly form of cancer which is spreading fast is Colon cancer. Colon cancer cases are increasing among young Americans, and one of the major risk factors could be the use of popular cooking oils in ultra-processed diets, a new US government-backed research, published in Gut Journal has found out.
In a striking discovery, the study analysed the tumors from over 80 colon cancer patients, and identified seed oils to be the potential culprits behind colon cancer, which has been one of the fastest-growing cancers in recent times.
These tumors were loaded with high concentrations of bioactive lipids, which are tiny greasy substances that were found to accumulate during the metabolic breakdown of seed oils.
Eating foods high in sunflower, canola, corn, and grapeseed could trigger inflammation in the body which could lead to the development of cancer. Chronic inflammation can also lead to heart conditions, arthritis, metabolic syndrome, or stroke.
These oils are often high in omega-6 fatty acids, which, when consumed in excessive amounts, can disrupt the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the body. This imbalance is a key contributor to inflammation. While omega-6 fats are essential for normal growth and development, overconsumption—especially from processed foods and fried items—can exacerbate inflammatory responses. To counteract this, it’s crucial to include anti-inflammatory foods in your diet, such as fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseeds, and leafy greens, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Making mindful choices about the oils and fats you consume can significantly impact your long-term health.
Seed oils are highly refined and processed with bleaching, deodorizing, and heating, which can lead to the creation of harmful compounds. When heated at high temperatures and used in deep-frying or cooking at high heat, they may undergo oxidation, producing potentially toxic byproducts like aldehydes.These toxic compounds can damage tissues and contribute to aging and chronic diseases, increase the risk of cancer, and lead to insulin resistance. Besides, the refining process can also increase trans fat content which can lead to heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. It can also lead to weight gain.
Peanut oil is high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can help lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Peanut oil contains phytosterols, which are plant compounds that can block the absorption of cholesterol from food. It can also ward off cancer risk.
Role of smoke pointWhen it comes to use a cooking oil which is healthy for you, one must consider the harmful compounds they may created upon heating. It is important to consider their smoke point which is the temperature beyond which it starts creating toxic compounds. When an oil is heated past its smoke point, it releases free radicals which reacts with oxygen to form harmful compounds. One of the harmful compounds that is produced in the process is called HNE. This compound is linked to vascular diseases like atherosclerosis, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.When it comes to use of cooking oil, apart from the right product, certain guidelines must be kept in mind for cancer prevention. Reusing oil more than 2-3 times could be harmful for health, especially if its appearance changes or it starts smelling rancid. As per USDA, if the oil is clouded or if the oil starts to foam or has a foul odor, taste, or smell, discard it. Reheating oil may also create harmful byproducts like Total Polar Compounds (TPC), trans fats free radicals which can cause inflammation, and aldehydes.A diet low in fibre, high red meat consumption, especially processed meats, being overweight or obese, alcohol consumption, smoking tobacco, inherited genetic risk and family history, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease, polyps, and having a previous diagnosis of bowel cancer are some of the common causes of bowel cancer.
Source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/common-cooking-oil-fueling-colon-cancer-in-young-americans-what-a-new-study-says/amp_articleshow/116260877.cms