Ahh the internet, you have to love it. I mean I do or else I’d be out of business or at least I’d be all up in the magazines. And while there’s a ton of good information that can be spread because of the internet, there’s also some misconception that just snowball and take on there own lives. You see it all the time but today we’ll focus on Canola Oil. Is Canola oil good or bad for you and most importantly why is olive oil or sesame oil never capitlized yet Canola Oil is?
The Good Of Canola Oil
Most Canola oil product tout that it is low in saturated fat (a good thing though you need some for proper testosterone production) as well as being a rich source of ALA, a omega-3 (another great thing). In addition to those two health benefits it’s very inexpensive. If you’re going to put Canola oil up against any other cooking agent or salad dressing agent, it usually wins hands down unless compared to olive oil(it’s good to be king).
The Bad And Indifferent
While all that seems good and well, there’s a ton of misinformation online concerning Canola oil. It might only be misinformation because of the massive amount of money that is in the food industry and the fat income that Canola oil sales produces for a few. For starters there have been very few research studies done on Canola oil and humans.
Most are done in rats and they show less then pleasing results such as a fatty liver. Unfortunately, one of the biggest misconcpetions about Canola oil is where it comes from since there isn’t technically a thing called a canola plant.
Originally it was produced from Rapeseed oil which contains high amounts of erucic acid which is very toxic to humans. Yet the FDA has come out and said that Canola oil is very low in erucic acid. Thank God for the FDA (pun intended) but that doesn’t mean they are wrong.
In most literature you’ll find that Canola oil actually means Canadian Oil, which is still a rape plant. If you remember from WWII, rape was the main source of the chemical warfare agent mustard gas. Not cool. Though our Canadian friends up north have since tried to make it up to us by giving up such things as Pamela Anderson, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, Patrick Roy (the 2nd great goalie ever behind Mike Richter, don’t even get me started) and Wolverine.
The money behind big business can be tricky so it’s very hard to get a accurate account of where Canola actually comes from (ingredients that you think should be on the label aren’t). As a matter of fact, the only thing on the label is “Canola oil” and as we’ve already established, we have no clue what it is.
The Conclusion
Rumors have it that the Canadian government paid around $50 million to have Canola oil placed on the “safe to eat” list of the FDA. Taking the conspiracies out of the equation (UFO’s did land in Roswell and 9-11 wasn’t a inside job), canola is still a modified food. It’s not natural. Who’s to even say that the ALA found in Canola oil is even present in high amounts since there is a degree of processing unlike extra-virgin, cold-filter olive oil (the olives are squash and that’s about it)?
So here’s my conclusion, do with it what you will. I have a large salad with Oil(99% of the time it’s Canola oil) and Vinegar once a week. I do eat some smaller salads throughout the week but the amount of oil and vinegar I use is very tiny. That consumption amount doesn’t scare me and it shouldn’t scare you. I will say this however, instead of playing games just stick to Canola oil once or twice a week if you (it’s literally in everything, you just don’t know half the time) must but really give olive oil another look for your dressing of choice.
Hi,
Thanks for sharing this info.
Really nice article.
Maybe you\’re right, people out there are wondering, is the canola oil is good for health or bad?
Now you can answer it. Nice.
Btw, just one to ask a question related with your post (especially salad). You\’ve said that you consume canola oil even in a tiny amount. How about mayonnaise, is it okay or very very bad?
Thanks.
Another smart tip when making salad dressings is to add a couple of tablespoons of water to the dressing as you make it. When it emulsifies the water lets it down a little which means it does not drown the salad as much and it does not impair the taste. (I learned this from a Grodon Ramsey recipe – and it works fine). It makes the oil go a little further. Another option is to remove oils entirely and use flavoured vinegars (such as fruit vinegars and white, red & regualr balsamics). Dr Furhman has lots of ideas for healthy salads and dressings too.
Foe what it’s worth, it appears canola oil is derived from a cultivar of rapeseed
I think you said it well in this section:
“Originally it was produced from Rapeseed oil which contains high amounts of erucic acid which is very toxic to humans. Yet the FDA has come out and said that Canola oil is very low in erucic acid. Thank God for the FDA (pun intended) but that doesn’t mean they are wrong.”
“In most literature you’ll find that Canola oil actually means Canadian Oil, which is still a rape plant. If you remember from WWII, rape was the main source of the chemical warfare agent mustard gas.”
Are you really telling us that this is harmless? I guess I’m not seeing why you can’t just use olive or flax oil. The initial product used to make canola oil is toxic. Just because it’s stripped in the production process, doesn’t make it any better for your body. That would be like saying, “hear, try this motor oil… don’t worry it’s been stripped of it’s toxicity, so it’s perfectly eatable.”
Jimmy,
why don\’t you use olive oil? you say you use canola oil 99% of the time.
also, I like to make my own almond butter but I\’m unsure what oil to use. I don\’t want to use olive because of the taste.
@Steve,
Hmm, I honestly can’t help you there as olive would be my only recommendation. Have you tried flaxmeal or flaxseed oil?
@Toby-I think you might have got my point of view slightly confused. I’m saying that most of the evidence points to Canola oil being unhealthy. You should use olive oil over it any day of the week.
Jimmy
@Mel- Yep and that’s why it’s unhealthy. Thanks for the comment!
@Barry
Awesome tips!
I use and recommend olive oil (it’s easier for me, being Italian…). To Steve; you could try peanut oil. Best wishes to all readers.
@Joe-It really depends on your diet. If you’re trying to lose weight then I’d skip the mayo.
Interesting.
Steve, for that homemade almond butter give macadamia nut oil a try if the price fits within your present budget.
I HATE canola oil. Since I had my gallbladder removed in early 05 any food with canola oil is a DISASTER for me. Let’s just say that violently ill would be putting it mildly.
Thanks to all the people pushing for this oil to be used in EVERYTHING people in my position are running out of things to eat.
*sigh* I miss crossaints SO MUCH!
So for me personally I would have to say that yeah canola is bad.
If I take canola oil in any about above 1/2 teaspoon I have violent stomach pains
then with in 2 to 5 min bad case of the runs.
Canola oil is bad. note I have three other friends with same problem noticed after eating in some restaurants. So ask.
Guys
Jimmy. You don’t seem to realize that cold pressed canola is available. It is much darker in colour( golden brown) and has a great taste. I recommend we all try to use cold pressed oils whenever available.
I would like to relate my personal experience after using canola oil for over 10 years. My wife and I love popcorn and 5 nights a week we would pop the corn and enjoy our treat using canola oil because it said had no cholesterol.
After many years of using canola oil I had noticed yellow in the whites of my eyes and was concerned as the yellow indicates a liver issue. I am not a drinker nor do I abuse my body, my motto is to be moderate in all things including moderation. In the spring of 2002, I could barely walk as my knees were very inflamed. The inflammation started in my right knee and 3 weeks later my left knee. Going up stairs was so painful I wanted to cry. Some days were worse than others. In the fall of 2004 I was taking a medical course and the doctor presenting the course ask as a side note if anyone was using canola oil? He suggested anyone using the oil to change as canola oil blocks the function of the liver and causes the toxins to backup. These toxins would cause inflammation to the joints of the body as our body tries to clear those toxins. At the time I did not know want kind of oil we used. I called my wife and she told me we used canola oil and sure enough when I got home that night I found a gallon bottle in our cabinet. I changed our use that night and over the next 3 weeks my knee issues went away. It took 3 months for the yellow in the whites of my eyes to clear. To this day, I ask whenever I am at a restaurant what kind of oil they use. Sometimes I am served something cooked in canola oil and my knees will ache for the next 3 days. Another thing I have noticed, if served canola oil, I will have intestinal gas after 30 to 40 minutes of digestion. I am watchful of any food prepared with canola oil.
Earlier this year I went so far as to write the Canola oil board in Canada, the Ministry of health in Canada as well as the FDA asking for copies of any long term human studies. I was informed there have been no long term studies.
Last month I was on a Celebrity cruise ship and asked the top chef what kind of oil they use as I have problems with canola oil and cannot use it. He stated to me they will not use canola oil as it causes joint problems. I was very surprised to hear that from him and asked where he got his information? He stated with as many senior people on the ships, they had many complaints and will not use the oil.
Please pay attention to the use of this oil!
Thank you,
Paul
Paul,
Thanks for sharing. I’m surprised to hear the cook say that!
Jimmy
It’s still canola oil though.
Let me relate my eperience with canola oil. I replaced butter with vegetable oil margarine about ten years ago. During that time my blood pressure rose which was not unusual as I was getting older and a bit heavier. Then during the summer of 2009 I began to use it in the oil form, in baking, frying, and in homemade salad dressings. About October I began to wake up nightly between 3 and 5 a.m. sweating, with tingly fingers and toes, with a very strange heartbeat, and feeling very apprehensive. I got up and rocked and read until it subsided about 2 hours later. The situation got increasingly worse. Finally I went to a doctor just before Christmas. By then I had little energy, little interest in anything, and little ability to concentrate. He prescribed some very serious heart medication.
Since I have always looked after my health, been quite active, and don\’t reflect my age, I decided to track down the problem myself rather then go on such medication…for the rest of my life!
I realized the only thing I had done differently was introduce canola oil in its oily form into my diet. I stopped using it. period.
I avoid everythng it is in, except I can eat a bit of hard crust white bread (French, sourdough) which often contains it. I have my energy and concentration back. No more night problems, no more swollen hands on waking, my BP is normal at 120 or 130 over 70 or 78 depending on my activity level before having it checked. Just because there is no written evidence of its negative effects doesn\’t mean there are no problems for some folks.
I don’t understand why anyone would eat anything other than extra virgin olive oil!!!!! It tastes just as good. To make a great salad dressing don’t just use plain olive oil and vinegar. Use olive oil, balsamic vinegar and Good Seasons Salad Dressing Mix in a box. It’s a brownish color but great tasting and great for you. Once you use balsamic vinegar you’ll never go back to white again.