616 - Canola Deep Dive
Weird Medicine: The Podcast
Deep Dive
What is the origin of the term 'Canola Oil'?
Canola Oil gets its name from 'Canada Oil Low Acid,' which is more marketable than 'Rapeseed Oil.'
Why is Canola Oil considered controversial?
Canola Oil is highly processed, which may reduce its nutritional value and introduce harmful compounds. It also contains omega-6 fatty acids, which can be pro-inflammatory in certain contexts.
What are the potential health benefits of Canola Oil?
Canola Oil is low in saturated fat, high in monounsaturated fat, and contains ALA (an omega-3 fatty acid). It has been shown to reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in some studies.
What are the concerns about Canola Oil's processing?
Canola Oil undergoes extensive processing, including bleaching and deodorizing, which may reduce its nutritional value and introduce harmful compounds.
How does Canola Oil compare to other oils in terms of affordability?
Canola Oil is significantly more affordable than oils like olive oil or avocado oil.
What is the role of omega-6 fatty acids in Canola Oil?
Omega-6 fatty acids in Canola Oil are essential but can be pro-inflammatory when consumed in excess compared to omega-3 fatty acids.
What are the findings of the systematic review on Canola Oil and cardiovascular risk?
The systematic review found that Canola Oil significantly improved cardiometabolic risk factors, including reducing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides compared to other oils.
What are the potential risks of Canola Oil consumption?
Some animal studies have linked Canola Oil to increased inflammation and impaired memory. It may also lower testosterone levels in certain populations, such as those with metabolic syndrome.
What is the significance of erucic acid in Canola Oil?
Erucic acid was present in older varieties of rapeseed oil and was considered toxic. Modern Canola Oil has been bred to have negligible levels of erucic acid.
What are the potential cancer-preventative effects of Canola Oil?
Some studies suggest that Canola Oil may have chemopreventative effects, particularly in reducing colon cancer development in rats and suppressing mammary carcinogenesis in female rat offspring.
What is the role of omega-6 fats in the diet?
Omega-6 fats are beneficial for lowering harmful LDL cholesterol, boosting HDL cholesterol, and improving insulin sensitivity. However, they can promote inflammation if not balanced with omega-3 fats.
What are the recommendations for omega-6 fat intake?
The American Heart Association recommends getting 5 to 10 percent of daily calories from omega-6 fats, which translates to 11 to 22 grams for someone consuming 2,000 calories a day.
What are the potential side effects of Xanax (Alprazolam)?
Xanax is habit-forming and can lead to tolerance, where the drug becomes less effective over time. It is also associated with withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.
What are some alternatives to Xanax for anxiety?
Alternatives to Xanax include cognitive behavioral therapy, other antidepressants like serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or ketamine therapy, which has been effective for some refractory depression cases.
Shownotes Transcript