What are the effects of egraded Omega-3 fatty acids on human health?

Effects of Degraded Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Human Health

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that play a crucial role in maintaining optimal health. They help reduce inflammation throughout the body and support brain function, among other benefits.

However, when canola oil's omega-3 content gets degraded due to high heat exposure during processing steps like deodorization or bleaching, it becomes less beneficial for consumption.

• Inflammation: The degradation leads to an imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which promotes inflammation, potentially exacerbating conditions like arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.

• Oxidative stress: Degraded omega-3 fatty acids can also cause oxidative stress, significantly contributing to the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular issues and type 2 diabetes.

• Cognitive function: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for brain health, but when degraded in canola oil, they may not provide the same mental benefits. This could potentially result in a heightened likelihood of neurological issues.

Given the potential risks, it is prudent to opt for other sources of oil, such as olive or coconut oil, to reduce any ecological burden and avoid consuming trans fats and degraded omega-3s.

The European Union's food safety authority has deemed canola oil safe for human consumption. Still, the main concern is the high erucic acid content in canola oil made from the canola plant, a rapeseed oil type.

The canola industry has genetically modified crops to reduce the erucic acid content, but this has raised concerns among European farmers and consumers. Other healthy oil options include avocado oil and sunflower oil.