Ditch Seed Oils Now for Better Brain and Heart Health

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you use my link to make a purchase.

Yes, you read that right! Ditch the seed oils. Learn why!

You’ve had your first sip of morning brew, and now you’re ready to flip on your laptop to see what the world is up to. But nothing happens. A black screen glares back at you. Suddenly, you notice the plug lying on the floor under the table. You forgot to plug it in. It has no charge. It’s depleted of energy.

That’s precisely what happens when your mitochondria aren’t working properly. These tiny power plants inside your cells are responsible for charging you—turning food and oxygen into energy.

But when they’re damaged or not running up to par, it’s like trying to start your day on a dead battery.

And guess what? The oils you’re cooking with might play a bigger role in this breakdown than you realize.

So, what are mitochondria, and why should you care? Think of them as the tiny batteries inside every cell in your body. Their job? To turn the food you eat and the oxygen you breathe into pure, usable energy. If your mitochondria aren’t working well, it’s like having a battery that won’t hold a charge—leaving you feeling tired, foggy, and out of steam, no matter how much sleep or coffee you get.

Is that how you’ve been feeling lately? Low energy, brain fog, or like you can’t power up no matter how much rest you get? Your mitochondria might be waving a white flag—and certain oils in your diet could be a culprit.

You’ve probably heard the terms seed and vegetable oils tossed around, and you might be wondering—are they the same thing? Well, kind of. While ‘vegetable oil’ sounds harmless, most bottles are blends of seed oils like canola, soybean, and corn oil—oils that could quietly drain your energy reserves, leaving you with that ‘pulled through a wringer’ feeling by midday. Meanwhile, olive, avocado, and coconut oil technically fall into the fruit oil category.

So, when we talk about the potential health concerns of ‘vegetable oils,’ we’re pointing the finger at seed oils. They’re everywhere—in salad dressings, fried foods, packaged snacks, and even some so-called ‘health’ foods. And the big question is: Are these oils quietly draining your body’s energy by messing with your mitochondria?

The answer is yes!

Let’s take a look at why.

Why Seed Oils Are Bad for Your Brain, Heart, and Metabolism

The Problem with Linoleic Acid (LA)

Seed oils like canola, corn, and sunflower oil are loaded with linoleic acid (LA), an omega-6 fatty acid. Now, don’t get me wrong—a little omega-6 is essential for your health. But here’s the thing: most people consume way too much, and it’s throwing our bodies into a state of chronic inflammation.

Why is that bad?

Think of your fat cells as little storage containers. When you eat excess LA, it gets tucked away in these cells—but here’s the problem: it doesn’t just sit there quietly.

Stored and Unstable: Over time, LA makes fat cells more unstable and prone to oxidation—breaking down into toxic byproducts like 4-HNE.

1. Mitochondrial Damage: These toxic byproducts penetrate your mitochondria, the tiny power plants inside your cells, and damage their membranes and DNA.
2. Energy Breakdown: Damaged mitochondria can’t efficiently produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (your body’s energy currency), leaving you feeling like you’re running on a dying battery—fatigued, foggy, and drained.
3. Inflammation Spreads: The damage doesn’t stop there. Your mitochondria start releasing inflammatory signals and free radicals, spreading inflammation throughout your body. Think of free radicals as crazy runaway molecules—like a loose cannon causing damage inside your cells.

And inflammation? Well, it’s the root cause of a long list of health problems:

• Brain fog and cognitive decline
  
• Increased risk of heart disease
  
• Insulin resistance and weight gain
  
• Higher risk of chronic diseases like diabetes

The oils you use daily quietly fuel these issues, and most people have no idea.

How Do Different Oils Compare?

Here’s a quick snapshot of how oils stack up when it comes to their Linoleic Acid (LA) content. Spoiler: grass-fed butter and tallow are the clear winners!

Key takeaway: Grass-fed butter/ghee and tallow are the obvious winners. Olive and avocado oil are lower in LA but don’t overdo it. The lower the LA percentage, the less risk of inflammation, brain fog, heart damage, and chronic disease.

Why Does This Matter for Your Brain, Heart, and Metabolism?

If you’re a health and wellness nerd like me, you’ve heard about oxidative stress, but let’s reiterate and look at two simple analogies: Just as metal rusts when exposed to oxygen and water, our cells experience the same damage when exposed to oxidative stress. Likewise, as a sliced apple turns brown when left out in the air—this browning is another example of oxidative stress in action.

I prefer my bodily mechanics to be well-lubricated and working in harmony. And I’m confident you will choose this as well.

But we need to know. We need a choice. Vegetable oil sounds healthy, right? But the label should state: “Use at your own risk—may induce systemic rust.”

So, let’s get into it:

Brain Health: Excess LA contributes to oxidative stress (like internal rusting or the browning of an apple slice) and inflammation in brain cells, increasing the risk of brain fog and neurodegenerative diseases.

Heart Health: High-LA oils oxidize easily, damaging blood vessels and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

See studies here and here.

Metabolic Health: LA overload contributes to insulin resistance, which drives obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.

See the review here.

The oils you use matter—a lot.

It’s time to give your mitochondria a fighting chance by choosing fats that support your health, not sabotage it.

What You Can Do Instead

Making the switch away from seed oils doesn’t have to be complicated. You can protect your brain, heart, and metabolic health with a few simple swaps and a little label detective work.

1. Use Low LA-Fats (No Rust)

When it comes to cooking, low-LA fats are your best friends. Stick with:

• Grass-Fed Organic Ghee: Exceptional for stir-frying, deep-frying, sauteing, or any way.

• Grass-Fed Butter: Perfect for sautéing, baking, or melting on veggies.
  
• Grass-Fed Tallow: Great for high-heat frying and roasting.
  
• Coconut Oil: Stable at high temperatures and slightly sweet.
  
• Avocado Oil: A versatile option for both cooking and salads.
  
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Ideal for salad dressings and low-heat cooking.

Quick Tip: Look for terms like “grass-fed” and “cold-pressed” on labels for the highest quality fats.

2. Avoid the High-LA Oils

These oils might look harmless, but their high linoleic acid content makes them a poor choice for your health:

• Sunflower Oil
  
• Corn Oil
  
• Soybean Oil
  
• Safflower Oil
  
• Grapeseed Oil
  
• Cottonseed
  
• Canola
  
• Peanut

Quick Tip: If these oils are listed on an ingredient label, put the product back on the shelf.

3. Read Labels Like a Detective

Seed oils are hidden in processed foods, dressings, and even so-called “health snacks.”

Here’s where they often lurk:

• Salad Dressings

• Fried Foods

• Packaged Snacks and Foods

• Baked Goods

• Processed Foods

Action Step: Flip the package around and scan the ingredients list. If you see canola, corn, soybean, sunflower, safflower oil, or any other rusty oils, it’s time to find a better option.

4. Eat Whole, Unprocessed Foods

The simplest way to avoid seed oils is to eat foods without labels. Your safest choices are fresh vegetables, grass-fed meats, and minimally processed foods.

Quick Tip: When eating out, don’t be shy about asking what oils are used for cooking. Opt for grilled or baked options when possible.

Takeaway:

Every small swap adds up. By choosing low-LA fats like grass-fed butter and ghee, tallow from grass-fed beef, olive oil, and avocado oil, and avoiding high-LA seed oils, you’ll give your mitochondria and entire body a rust-proof life!

Your brain, heart, and metabolism will thank you.

Check out Dr. Mercola’s Your Guide to Cellular Health to learn more about cellular health. See excerpt:

Your body is incredibly adaptable. Reducing omega-6 fats supports your mitochondria. Embrace the journey back to a more balanced, ancestral way of eating. You have the power to reverse the effects of modern dietary trends and reclaim your health.

Disclaimer: The information on this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your qualified health professional before changing your health or wellness routine. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.