“When it comes to your health, “fat” is not necessarily a dirty word. You need some fat in your diet, and it actually performs some pretty impressive tasks like boosting energy, supporting cell growth, protecting your organs, keeping your body warm, and aiding in nutrient absorption and the manufacturing of hormones, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). And oils can be a great source of these healthy fats, but choosing the right variety is key,” writes EveryDay Health.
According to experts interviewed by MindBodyGreen, canola oil should be avoided and replaced with other healthier alternatives.
“Despite some trace benefits, canola oil is often considered one of the least healthy vegetable oils because of the way it’s manufactured. Most canola oils in the U.S. use chemicals, including hexane (a hazardous air pollutant) to extract the oil from the plant,” wrote MindBody Green.
Experts recommend trying olive oil, flaxseed oil, coconut oil, walnut oil, sesame seed soil, and avocado oil.
In particular, flaxseed oil is a good source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), one of three omega-3 fatty acids (olive and canola oils also contain omega-3s). You need dietary omega-3s since your body cannot make them on its own. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and thus may help lower the risk of cancer, according to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, per EveryDay Health.
Flaxseed oil may also help reduce symptoms of arthritis, but avoid it if you’re on a blood thinner since flaxseed oil may increase bleeding, advises the Arthritis Foundation.
