Colorectal cancer risk linked to seed oils in an early study, linked to inflammation

Researchers have identified another possible reason to avoid highly processed foods.

Seed oils — vegetable cooking oils commonly used in processed, packaged foods — are linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer, according to a new study published this week in the medical journal Gut.

Researchers from the University of South Florida (USF) Health and Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute analyzed 162 tumor samples from colorectal cancer patients, according to a USF press release.

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They found that the tumors contained “excess” molecules that cause inflammation and “a deficiency” of healing molecules.

Seed oils — vegetable cooking oils commonly used in processed, packaged foods — are linked to an increased risk of colon cancer, according to a new study. (iStock)

“It is known that patients with an unhealthy diet have increased inflammation in their bodies,” said study author Dr. Timothy Yeatman, professor of surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and associate center director for translational research and innovation at the TGH Cancer Institute, in the press release.

“We’re now seeing this inflammation in the colon tumors themselves, and cancer is like a chronic wound that doesn’t heal – if your body lives on highly processed foods every day, its ability to heal that wound decreases due to the inflammatory suppression of the immune system , which ultimately allows the cancer to grow.”

“It is known that patients with an unhealthy diet have increased inflammation in the body.”

Yeatman says the results highlight the potential harms of the Western diet. In addition to “inflammatory seed oils,” he also cited added sugars, saturated fats, highly processed foods and chemicals as culprits.

“A person’s immune system can be extremely strong and can have drastic effects on the tumor microenvironment. “This is great when used properly for health and well-being – but not when suppressed by inflammatory lipids from processed foods,” the researcher said.

Dr. Timothy Yeatman and Ganesh Halade, co-authors of the study, are pictured in the lab. (Ryan Rossy)

In previous studies, the same research team found that an “unbalanced diet” also increased the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes, the statement said.

Based on these findings, according to the source cited above, researchers recommend treating cancer with “resolution medicine,” which aims to reverse inflammation using healthy, unprocessed foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil derivatives.

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Regular exercise and balanced sleep would also play an important role in the Resolution Medicine approach.

“This has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment and go beyond drugs to harness natural healing processes,” Yeatman said.

“It’s an important step in combating chronic inflammation and preventing disease before it starts.”

Dr. Yeatman reviews images of the tumors in the lab. (Ryan Rossy)

The new USF study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Clinical trials are currently underway at the TGH Cancer Institute to investigate the potential benefits of Resolution Medicine in the treatment and prevention of disease.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the study’s researchers for comment.

Nutritionists weigh in

Sherry Coleman Collins, a metro Atlanta nutritionist and food allergy expert, said she doesn’t believe it’s true that seed oils cause cancer.

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The expert noted that there is an “overwhelming amount of scientific literature” supporting the positive health benefits of replacing saturated fats (like lard and butter) with unsaturated fats (like safflower oil).

“This includes a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease, which is the No. 1 cause of death in America,” she told Fox News Digital.

A nutritionist recommended the use of olive oil, noting that there was “significant evidence” to support its use as part of a Mediterranean dietary approach. (iStock)

However, Collins said: “It is something to watch as we continue to understand better why colorectal cancer is increasing and how diet impacts this increased rate.”

Seed oil is not the only problem with highly processed foods, the nutritionist emphasized.

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“They tend to be very high in sodium, fat and sugar,” Collins said. “Because they lack fiber and nutrients but are high in calories, they taste delicious but do not promote health.”

To reduce the risk of colon cancer, dementia and many other diseases, Collins recommends quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and eating a high-fiber diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Ganesh Halade is pictured in his laboratory using a highly sensitive analytical technique to detect traces of lipids in 162 tumor samples from the TGH Cancer Institute. (Ryan Rossy)

When it comes to cooking oils, Collins recommends using olive oil, noting that there is “significant evidence” to support its use as part of a Mediterranean diet.

“Extra virgin olive oil can be a wonderful, versatile oil for cooking over low to medium heat, it tastes great and has a very good fatty acid profile,” she told Fox News Digital.

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“For higher heat cooking, I like avocado and peanut oil for their high smoke point and neutral flavor, and they also have a good fatty acid profile.”

Collins agrees with researchers’ recommendation to increase omega-6 fatty acid intake because the American diet is “significantly deficient.”

“It is something we should monitor as we continue to understand better why colorectal cancer is increasing and how diet affects this increased rate,” said a nutritionist. (iStock)

“Oily fish like salmon is the best source – these are also found in some nuts and seeds, including walnuts and chia, but they are not as bioavailable or absorbable as those in fish,” she added

Jason Fung, a Canadian nephrologist (kidney specialist), noted that the study was “preliminary and far from definitive.”

“Why take a risk?”

“The hypothesis is that consuming too many seed oils means we have too many omega-6 fats, which are pro-inflammatory, and inflammation may be a major factor leading to cancer,” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“It’s an interesting and plausible hypothesis, but not definitive.”

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Still, Fung confirmed that he doesn’t keep seed oils at home.

“At home I only cook with olive oil and butter. Why take a risk?”