What's Priority #1?
I have recently been reminded of something I learned in my certification program and it surprised me. When talking about priorities in changing the way you eat, they said to get rid of industrial seed oils. I thought for sure it was going to be sugar or grains!
Yet, by removing industrial seed oils you increase your executive function in the brain. That's the part that helps you make decisions. By starting there, you are nourishing your brain with the healthy fats so that you can think clearer and have more will power. You need that when beginning a new way of eating. Then you combine eliminating these unhealthy fats with eliminating grains and sugar and wowza! brain fog clears and energy returns!
I will be honest, eliminating oils like canola and soybean can be daunting! They are in so many foods and used in restaurants. Yet, as I have begun reading articles, listening to podcasts, remembering what I learned in my certification program, I have come to the conclusion it will be so beneficial to do so.
The main reason to avoid industrial oils is because of the Omega 6 fats that make up the oil. Omega 6 oils are more fragile and prone to breaking down or oxidization. It's this oxidization that is harmful to our hearts. Omega 6 oils also gobble up any antioxidants that we eat. This is not good, especially when it's the antioxidants that counteract oxidization!
What does too much Omega 6 (n-6) do? Chris Kresser says, "The short answer is that elevated n-6 intakes are associated with an increase in all inflammatory diseases – which is to say virtually all diseases. The list includes (but isn’t limited to):
- cardiovascular disease
- type 2 diabetes
- obesity
- metabolic syndrome
- irritable bowel syndrome & inflammatory bowel disease
- macular degeneration
- rheumatoid arthritis
- asthma
- cancer
- psychiatric disorders
- autoimmune diseases"
If you want to read more, click here or here or here.
"A new study in the journal Scientific Reports[1] links canola oil consumption to memory deterioration, degenerative learning ability, and weight gain in mice – symptoms modeling Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The study is the first of its kind to reveal that canola oil is indeed more harmful than beneficial for brain health." Full article here.
Okay, I'll stop here. You may now understand my renewed concern about getting this stuff out of the house and being more picky when I eat out. (I may even begin to bring my Primal Kitchen dressings in my purse.)
I know it can feel overwhelming, but remember, progress, not perfection. When we know better, we do better. Don't give up because it feels like such a huge mountain to overcome. One step at a time will get you there too.
