You can use a variety of oils for different purposes, but for the best anti-inflammatory potential, make sure your kitchen has a bottle of extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil for everyday cooking, and flaxseed oil for cold dishes like salads.
Omega-6s are found in oils such as corn, safflower, sunflower, soy and vegetable and products made with those oils. Excess consumption of omega-6s can trigger the body to produce pro-inflammatory chemicals, and the American diet tends to be very high in omega-6s.
Some vegetable oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids. Scientists have hypothesized that eating too much omega-6 can lead to increased inflammation in the body and potentially contribute to disease.
The healthiest oils are those that are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as vegetable oil and olive oil. These types of fats can help lower your risk of heart disease when used instead of saturated fats.
The Potential Downsides of Sunflower Oil
Since most forms of sunflower oil are high in linoleic acid or omega-6 fats, they have the potential to cause inflammation in the body.
Several animal studies link canola oil to increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between harmful free radicals — which can cause inflammation — and antioxidants, which prevent or slow free radical damage.
Extra-virgin olive oil can reduce inflammation, which may be one of the main reasons for its health benefits. The main anti-inflammatory effects are mediated by the antioxidants. Key among them is oleocanthal, which has been shown to work similarly to ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug ( 10 ).
Virgin olive oil contains numerous phenolic compounds that exert potent anti-inflammatory actions. Of interest to this paper is the recently discovered phenolic compound oleocanthal. Oleocanthal is contained in virgin olive oil and possesses similar anti-inflammatory properties to ibuprofen.
The monounsaturated fats in olive oil offer several health benefits. However, excess consumption of olive oil may cause several side effects. It may cause acne, allergies, skin rashes, blackheads, and saturated- and trans-fat-related diseases. It may also cause diarrhea and inflammation in some people.
Not only was coconut oil found to have an anti-inflammatory effect, but it relieved pain as well ( 12 ). What's more, coconut oil may ease inflammation by improving antioxidant status. Antioxidants work by stabilizing free radicals in the body, neutralizing the reactive atoms that can contribute to inflammation ( 13 ).
High-fat and processed red meat (like hot dogs): These have a lot of saturated fat, which can cause inflammation if you get more than a small amount each day. Butter, whole milk, and cheese:Again, the problem is saturated fat. Instead, eat low-fat dairy products. They aren't considered inflammatory.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Share on Pinterest Omega-3 fatty acids may help fight vascular inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as cod, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements.
The oils which should be avoided for cooking are oils like soybean, corn, canola, sunflower, and safflower. These oils have unstable fats and will decimate the nutritional properties of your food. Oh, and they'll give you a big fat health risk in the meantime.
Research corroborates the use of aromatherapy for pain relief. In fact, a study from the Catholic University of Korea in Seoul showed that people with arthritis who sniffed a fragrant blend that included lavender, eucalyptus and rosemary experienced less pain and better moods than those who didn't.
There's another misconception out there about tomatoes and other nightshades: That they cause inflammation. (Spoiler: They don't.)
Additionally, the polyphenol extract found in extra virgin olive oil can decrease joint edema, cell migration, cartilage degradation, and bone erosion. Introducing olive oil into your meal plans could significantly decrease arthritis pain and inflammation symptoms.
Heart-healthy oils like canola, corn, olive, peanut, and sunflower oils contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They help to lower harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and raise healthy high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
First of all, it can be expensive. Plus, it has a relatively low smoke point, which, according to food scientist Harold McGee, is the "temperature at which a fat breaks down into visible gaseous products." That breakdown can ruin the taste of foods.
Olive oil has a lower smoke point-the point at which an oil literally begins to smoke (olive oil's is between 365° and 420°F)-than some other oils. When you heat olive oil to its smoke point, the beneficial compounds in oil start to degrade, and potentially health-harming compounds form.
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, including the ability to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines in vivo [58, 59].
Avocado oil helps lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol. As a result, it helps to improve heart health and decreases the risk of coronary diseases. In addition, avocado oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which help prevent damage in the walls of arteries caused by plaque buildup.
Besides the more robust flavor, high-quality olive oil is also healthier for you than canola oil. It contains antioxidants as well as monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat (aka the good kinds of fats).