The cons of oil in your food...

Are any types of oil healthy?

I recently came across a very concerned client who was worried about dropping oil’s from her diet. She was worried about her joint health and oil being a ‘lubricant’.

While I am not very strict about going oil-free completely. I sure want clients to understand that even a little bit is not good. And here is why...

Normally, vegans have a lower heart disease risk than their counterparts, non-vegan people. However, you will find some studies pointing out that irrespective of being vegan, there will be some who will be at risk of getting heart diseases. You may not eat anything that induces cholesterol and the primary source of saturated fats, meat, but still be subject to diseases.

The main reason behind this is oils. Any form of oil, be it vegetable oil, olive oil, or even coconut oil, is not suitable for your health. In the end, they are all processed foods, causing you more harm than good. But what about MCFA’s in coconut oil?

Coconut oils are known to have something called medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA’s) that are less harmful than long-chain fatty acids found in other vegetable oils. It’s like saying one cigarette per day is less harmful than a pack a day.

But the important word here is ‘less’ harmful.

Let’s assume even if MCFA’s are better, more than 50% of the fats in coconut oil are still saturated fats! The one giving you cholesterol. Very little of the oil is actually MCFA’s.

But the important word here is ‘less’ harmful.

Like sugar, oil is refined fat. It has even more calories per gram than refined sugar.

Are oil’s really that unhealthy?

Oils are bad for reasons more than one:

• Firstly, they generate LDL or bad cholesterol. High LDL levels are the root cause of heart diseases and even death in some cases.

• Olive oils have been famous for being super healthy, but contrary to popular belief, in Mediterranean diets where olive oils are used excessively, vegetables are what helps you. In contrast, olive oil is not particularly useful in any manner. Vegetables, lentils, whole grains are what make Mediterranean diets healthy. Watch this:

• • The most high-risk factor that is ultimately life-threatening is the Coagulation factor. This is a result of consuming excessive meat and oily foods. It causes a blood clot or thrombosis inside your artery, which is the main reason behind 99% of heart attacks or strokes.

  • Consuming oils is not just bad for your heart; they are also risky for diabetes patients. The more you stay away from it, the better.

  What does science say?

  In a study titled, “Effects of dietary coconut oil, butter and safflower oil on plasma, lipids, lipoproteins and lathosterol levels,” researchers found that they all raise LDL levels from an already high baseline of 137.8 mg/dl. Oil’s have the same effect as butter’s do.

  Explore oil-free cooking when you can. I insist my client cook oil-free 80% of the time at least and leaves oils for when they eat out.

  Trust this helps,

  Roshni Sanghvi.