The Truth About Processed Oils: How They’re Harming Your Body (And What to Use Instead)

You’ve been told that vegetable oils, seed oils, and “heart-healthy” cooking sprays are good for you. They’re in everything—your salad dressings, your snacks, even that “healthy” granola you bought last week. But what if I told you that these oils are doing way more harm than good?

If you’ve been struggling with bloating, joint pain, hormone imbalances, digestive discomfort, or just feeling off, the oils in your food might be a major contributor—and you don’t even realis e it.

Why Processed Oils Are a Silent Killer

Highly processed seed oils like canola, sunflower, soybean, corn, safflower, and vegetable oils are everywhere. They’re cheap, they last forever on a shelf, and they’re marketed as healthy alternatives.

But your body sees them completely differently.

These oils are:
❌ Highly inflammatory – Loaded with omega-6 fatty acids, which fuel chronic inflammation.
❌ Chemically extracted – They go through intense processing using heat, bleaching, and even petroleum-based solvents like hexane.
❌ Damaging to digestion – These oils interfere with gut health, making digestion harder and leading to bloating and discomfort.
❌ Endocrine disruptors – They can throw off hormone balance, contributing to PMS, menopause symptoms, thyroid issues, and metabolic dysfunction.
❌ Linked to organ stress – Long-term consumption puts strain on the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder, impacting the way your body breaks down and uses nutrients.

The scary part? Most people don’t even realize how much they’re consuming. These oils are hidden in almost every packaged food.

How Processed Oils Trigger Inflammation & Disease

When you consume processed oils, they immediately impact your body’s inflammatory response.

🔹 Disrupting the Gut Microbiome
Your gut bacteria play a huge role in digestion, immunity, and even mental health. Studies have shown that industrial seed oils can cause intestinal permeability (leaky gut), which leads to inflammation, food sensitivities, and immune dysfunction (Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry).

🔹 Worsening Insulin Resistance
If you struggle with weight gain, sugar cravings, or energy crashes, processed oils may be fueling insulin resistance. Research from Diabetes Care found that these oils disrupt normal insulin signaling, making it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar.

🔹 Overloading the Liver
Your liver is responsible for detoxifying harmful substances, but processed oils put it under extreme stress. They lead to fatty liver disease, even in people who don’t drink alcohol (Journal of Hepatology).

🔹 Fueling Hormonal Chaos
Processed oils mess with estrogen, cortisol, and thyroid hormones. The imbalance can lead to:

• Increased menopause symptoms
• Weight gain around the belly
• Fatigue and brain fog
• Mood swings and anxiety

According to research in The Journal of Endocrinology, diets high in omega-6 fatty acids (from seed oils) can disrupt progesterone and estrogen balance, leading to worse PMS and perimenopause symptoms.

What to Use Instead: The Best Fats for Health & Hormone Balance

So what should you be using?

✅ Butter & Ghee – Rich in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and essential fatty acids that support hormone health and digestion.
✅ Coconut Oil – Contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that boost metabolism, support brain function, and improve gut health (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition).
✅ Olive Oil (For Cold Use) – Packed with antioxidants and polyphenols that protect against inflammation and support heart health.
✅ Tallow & Lard – Traditional fats used for centuries that support immune function and healthy cell membranes.

Small Changes = Big Results
Try swapping out processed oils for natural fats in just one meal a day, and you’ll start noticing the difference in digestion, energy, and overall well-being.

What Happens If You Keep Consuming These Oils?

Fast forward 5 years from now.

❌ Increased inflammation, aches, and chronic pain.
❌ Sluggish digestion, bloating, and gut issues that won’t go away.
❌ Higher risk of heart disease, fatty liver, and hormone-related disorders.

Now imagine where you could be if you started making small shifts today.

✔️ Balanced hormones and fewer mood swings
✔️ Less bloating, better digestion, and clearer skin
✔️ More energy, better sleep, and a body that actually feels GOOD again

Ready to Take Control of Your Health? Here’s Where to Start.

1️⃣ Check your labels – If it says vegetable oil, canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, or sunflower oil—ditch it.
2️⃣ Start cooking with real fats – Butter, ghee, coconut oil, tallow, and lard.
3️⃣ Use olive oil for dressings, not cooking – High heat damages its nutrients.
4️⃣ Eat more whole foods – The more real, whole, unprocessed foods you eat, the fewer hidden oils you consume.
5️⃣ Don’t stress—just start small – Swap one meal at a time. It’s all about progress, not perfection.

If you’re tired of feeling sluggish, bloated, and inflamed, let’s fix it together. You don’t have to do this alone.

💬 Drop a comment below or DM me if you want personalised guidance on improving your diet, energy, and overall health.