April 04, 2023

Source's Guide to Seed Oils

Flower with yellow petals (sunflower), clear jar of oil and sunflower seeds setting out table.

Living a healthy lifestyle and eating a well-balanced diet sounds straightforward. Don’t get us wrong; it can be simple and should not cause stress; however, you may find that you are doing “everything” right and still not feeling or looking your best. This phenomenon is disheartening and may make you want to scream why?!

Well, the reason why could be… seed oils! Seed oils are villains in disguise, hiding behind names that we associate with health like vegetables or sunflowers. We have been taught that vegetables and other plant sources are primal choices for health enhancement and proper nutrition; however, in oil form they are heavily processed and highly inflammatory, wreaking havoc on our health even in small doses.

Negative Impact of Seed Oils

Seed oils can be detrimental to our health because they are oversaturated in Omega-6 fatty acids which can cause bloating, inflammation of the digestive tract, hormonal imbalances, and other autoimmune irregularities. A healthy human body has an equilibrium of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids; however, someone who regularly consumes seed oils has been reported having higher levels of Omega-6 fatty acids and are at a higher risk for DNA damage and heart disease due to the chemical instability of polyunsaturated fats that oxidize when exposed to heat aka the process in which seed oils are created. Therefore, essentially before seed oils are even consumed they are produced in a manner that is toxic to human cell function. 

How are Seed Oils made?

Although seed oils are marketed as a healthy alternative to butter and lard, (and while this may be true from a strictly caloric lens), seed oils are more processed and highly toxic to the human body when consumed daily. Seed oil is an umbrella term used for all oils that are derived from seeds. Including but not limited to sunflower, cottonseed, safflower, canola, grapeseed, and even vegetable and soy oils. They are made through an extraction process that takes the raw source (seeds) and heats them to an extremely high temperature to oxidize the fatty acids through a process called hydrogenation. Hydrogenated seed oils can be lethal and decrease one's lifespan if used consistently. 

Seed Oil-Free Alternatives

The good news is that there are plenty of seed-oil-free alternatives available in-store at Source. Seed oil-free alternatives include extra virgin olive oil, ghee, coconut oil, and unrefined butter such as Kerry Gold. Getting to know the source of your food is a trying process but we are here to help. Replace the seed oils in your pantry with Graza Sizzle and Drizzle available now at Source! Come in today and check out our other seed-oil-free snacks and sweet treats; they taste great and we promise you will feel better too!

About Source 

Source offers a selection of the highest-quality produce, goods and more sourced local, organic, ethical, sustainable and as regenerative as possible. We are committed to sustainable practices for an invested connected community, in an authentic space that will endure.

Visit us in store Monday through Friday, 10:30am - 6pm and online shopping is available. Online orders are typically available for pickup within 1-2 hours.