Diet and nutritionSunflower oil — the quiet arsonist of inflammation in the kitchen?
Sources: 6 · Article: 6 679 characters
Andrzej Frydrychowski points out that omega-6 fatty acids found in sunflower oil, especially arachidonic acid, may promote inflammation.
- He adds that polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are unstable and unsuitable for frying.
- Grażyna Cichosz emphasizes that sunflower oil is less oxidatively stable than palm oil, and regular sunflower oil is less stable than high-oleic sunflower oil.
What the authors write
Andrzej Frydrychowski
Sunflower oil contains omega-6 fatty acids, which may promote inflammation, especially arachidonic acid.
„Omega-6 fatty acids are found in sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, corn oil, meat, and dairy products. They are essential for health, provided that their proportions are kept equal to those of omega-3s. The body cannot produce them on its own, so we must get them from outside sources. Importantly, there should not be more omega-6s than omega-3s. They work wonderfully as long as omega-6s and omega-3s are present in equal proportions. Omega-6s, especially arachidonic acid, have a pro-inflammatory effect.”Omegi 6 występują w: oleju słonecznikowym, z pestek winogron, kukurydzianym, mięsie zwierząt i produktach mlecznych. Są one niezbędne dla zdrowia pod warunkiem zachowania ich równych proporcji z omegami-3. Organizm nie może ich sam wyprodukować, więc musimy je dostarczać z zewnątrz. Ważne, nie może ich być więcej niż omeg-3. Działają one wspaniale pod warunkiem, że występują w równym stosunku omegi-6 do omeg-3. Omegi 6 (zwłaszcza kwas arachidonowy) wykazują działanie prozapalne.
Andrzej Frydrychowski
Polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are unstable and unsuitable for frying.
„Polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3s and omega-6s) are very unstable and delicate (they are unsuitable for frying). Omega-3s are found in fatty fish from cold seas (EPA and DHA), and in flaxseed and hemp oils (alpha-linolenic acid, ALA). Omega-3s have the anti-inflammatory effect we value so much.”Wielonienasycone kwasy tłuszczowe (omegi 3 i 6). Są bardzo niestabilne i delikatne (nie nadają się do smażenia). Omegi 3 występują w: tłustych rybach z zimnych mórz (EPA i DHA), oleju lnianym i konopnym (kwas alfalinolenowy ALA). Omegi 3 wykazują działanie przeciwzapalne, na którym nam tak bardzo zależy.
Grażyna Cichosz
Palm oil is more oxidatively stable than oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, including sunflower oil.
„SUMMARY Palm oil and palm olein are much more oxidatively stable than vegetable oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (sunflower, corn, and grapeseed oils). Refined olive oil has comparable stability (and extra-virgin olive oil even more so); it was found to have a lower polar fraction despite a high anisidine value.”PODSUMOWANIE Olej palmowy oraz oleina palmowa odznaczają się znacznie większą stabilnością oksydacyjną niż oleje roślinne bogate w wielonienasycone kwasy tłuszczowe (olej słonecznikowy, kukurydziany, z pestek winogron). Porównywalną stabilnością charakteryzuje się rafinowana oliwa z oliwek (a tym bardziej oliwa extra virgin), dla której stwierdzono mniejszą ilość frakcji polarnej przy wysokiej liczbie anizydynowej.
Grażyna Cichosz
Regular sunflower oil is less oxidatively stable than high-oleic sunflower oil.
„Relatively high stability was found for olive oil, lard, and high-oleic sunflower oil: 1.5, 1.7, and 1.9, respectively. Soybean oil (7.0), sunflower oil (6.8), and Canola rapeseed oil (5.5) were less stable. Of the frying fats assessed, only beef tallow was more stable (0.86) than palm oil (18).”Stosunkowo wysoką stabilność stwierdzono dla oliwy z oliwek, smalcu i wysokooleinowego oleju słonecznikowego: odpowiednio 1,5; 1,7; 1,9. Mniejszą stabilnością charakteryzował się olej sojowy (7,0), słonecznikowy (6,8) oraz rzepakowy Canola (5,5). Spośród ocenianych tłuszczów smażalniczych tylko łój wołowy odznaczał się większą stabilnością (0,86) niż olej palmowy (18).
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 1 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 167.
In women, sunflower oil supplementation reduced the sodium-to-potassium ratio in breast milk, but the effect was significant only for this measure.
Aim of the study: Previously, we have found that subclinical breast inflammation, as indicated by raised breastmilk concentrations of sodium and the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-8 (IL-8), was highly prevalent in Bangladesh and associated with poor infant growth.
Results: Plasma acute phase protein concentrations tended to correlate with milk Na/K ratio and IL-8, suggesting that subclinical breast inflammation was related to systemic inflammation. Dietary supplementation with vitamin E-rich sunflower oil but not provitamin A-containing red palm oil decreased milk Na/K, IL-8 and TGF-beta at 3 months postpartum; however, the effect was significant only for Na/K ratio. The results suggest that milk Na/K ratio, IL-8, and TGF-beta all measure the same phenomenon of subclinical breast inflammation but that Na/K ratio, having the lowest assay variability, is the most useful. Subclinical breast inflammation may result in part from systemic inflammation and may be improved by increased dietary intake of vitamin E-rich sunflower oil.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyclinical study in people
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„But remember, Sinclair was right — it’s not just that we all eat too many carbs; we also eat too little fat and oil. Far too little. In that Lancet letter, he said, “there is an enormous increase in permeability of the skin in EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) deficiency” — and of the capillaries and blood-brain barrier, obviously. We leak essential nutrients out and toxins in, triggering inflammation, while having leaked away the resources we need to deal with it.”But remember, Sinclair was right - it's not just that we all eat too much carbs, we also eat too little fat and oil. Way too little. In that Lancet letter he said "there is an enormous increase in permeability of the skin in EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) deficiency" - and capillary, and blood-brain barrier, obviously. We leak essentials out, and toxins in, triggering inflammation that we have leaked the resources to deal with.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„[7,8] Using anti-inflammatory olive oil as a control in a study evaluating inflammation may obscure the benefits of the test intervention, since both the test and control groups may have reduced inflammation compared with a group receiving a true placebo. A caustic placebo may make a test drug appear more effective. Similarly, a placebo that is not inert may make it harder to recognize side effects of the test intervention if, for instance, it contains nuts or other common allergens that could increase the reaction rate in the control group. The vehicle used to administer the test substance may also affect the outcomes.”[7,8] Use of anti-inflammatory olive oil as a control in a study evaluating inflammation may obscure benefits of the test intervention since both the test and control arm may have reduced inflammation compared to a group receiving a true placebo. A caustic placebo may make a test drug appear more effective. Similarly, a non-inert placebo may blunt the recognition of side effects in the test intervention if, for instance, it contains nut products or other common allergens that may inflate the rate of reactions in the control group. The administration vehicle for the test substance may impact outcomes as well.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Nigella sativa oil reduced the gingival index score, inflammation, and pathogenic (streptococcus) bacteria. By decreasing biofilm formation and disrupting the colonization of such bacteria, it may help slow the progression of periodontal disease. It was as effective as chlorhexidine, suggesting that Nigella sativa could be an alternative to chemical mouthwashes. [44] Treat insomnia. Nigella sativa restored restful sleep in patients with sleep problems. [45] Improve irritable bowel syndrome after several weeks of continuous use.”Nigella sativa oil reduced the gingival index score, inflammation, and pathogenic (streptococcus) bacteria. By decreasing biofilm formation and disrupting the colonization of such bacteria, it may help reduce the progression of periodontal diseases. It was as effective as chlorhexidine, suggesting that nigella sativa could be an alternative to chemical mouthwashes. [44] treat insomnia. Nigella sativa restored restful sleep in patients with sleep issues. [45] improve irritable bowel syndrome after some weeks of continuous intake.
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