Summary

A new study links omega-6 fatty acids, common in seed oils used in ultraprocessed foods, to inflammation that may fuel colon cancer.

Researchers found colorectal tumor samples contained high levels of omega-6s and low levels of omega-3s, which help resolve inflammation.

Prolonged inflammation can damage cells, promote uncontrolled cell growth, and increase cancer risk.

Experts suggest the Western diet, heavy in ultraprocessed foods and seed oils, is a likely contributor.

While omega-6s are essential in moderation, their current overconsumption raises concerns, prompting calls for further research and dietary caution.

  • MajorHavoc
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    2 days ago

    Yeah. Those oils beat the shit out of the human digestive system.

    Some of us already knew that because of…shitty reasons.

    I’m not surprised at all by this, and I suspect the scientists are having to tiptoe around a more harsh conclusion to avoid pissing off the same food Mafia who grind up baby chicks, make bread out of 35 ingredients to save a nickel, and once pushed the bald faced lies that coca cola and tobacco were healthy.

    A rational default position is to be terrified of any ingredient the food industry routinely uses in excess. The food lobbys aren’t anyone’s ally except themselves.

    • Randomgal@lemmy.ca
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      2 days ago

      Wait are you telling me my peanut butter having 20 ingredients I can’t even pronounce is not normal? It’s supposed to be just peanuts!?

  • ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net
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    2 days ago

    I have a strong suspicion that the seed oils were processed in a way that caused them to oxidize, yet this is not apparent due to a deodorizing step done during production of the oil (this is common with cheap oils used in ultra processed foods). Especially if they are high in unsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, which are more prone to oxidize from heat exposure.

    Avocado and Coconut oil, and (unfortunately) animal fats are likely the safest oils if used for highly processed foods.

    If purchasing oil for yourself, you could add in other oils that were minimally processed and cold pressed which will limit oxidation, but increase cost. If cooking with them, try to stick with oils that have a high smoke point, such as high oleic sunflower oil and avocado oil, as they will produce the least oxidized free radicals during the cooking process.

    • athairmor@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      There’s no clear mechanism for ultra-processed foods being bad. We don’t know exactly why they are bad. There’s a good chance that it’s just over-eating that’s bad and ultra-processed foods make it really easy to over-eat.

      RFK is a fucking nut. If anything he says makes sense, just wait, he’ll back it up with something stupid.

      • chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        That’s because “ultra-processed food” isn’t a useful category. It lumps together many different processing methods and many different additives without any basis for doing so. Some things may be really bad but others may be just fine.

        • athairmor@lemmy.world
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          2 days ago

          So, what is it about ultra-processed foods that causes bad health outcomes? The research doesn’t tell us but you know? Research shows they are bad. I haven’t seen any that clearly show what causal relationship makes them bad.

          • Delphia@lemmy.world
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            2 days ago

            Whey Protein powder is “ultra processed”, Cheetos are also ultra processed, multivitamins could be considered ultraprocessed, so can twinkies.

            Just because its gone through a machine and into your body doesnt make it bad for you. I can wreck a giant slab of well made pork belly probably still worse for my health than my protein bars.

              • Delphia@lemmy.world
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                15 hours ago

                I exaggerated to make a point. Ive never argued that as a rule and in general whole foods arent probably healthier and SHOULD make up the bulk of a diet.

                But like any of those rules the layman often interprets them in the absolute worst way possible, sometimes on purpose. Like somehow home made brownies with shitloads of real butter and raw sugar are somehow going to be better for you than a protein bar from a reputable manufacturer.

                Or take Yoghurt for example, if you see “Milk, cultures,” on the ingredients people say “yep, yoghurt is healthy” but if you saw "Milk, scientific name of the bacteria in the culture people would have wildly different thoughts. Just because something was made in a factory and contains “Di-hydrogen monoxide” (yes I know, exaggeration) doesnt mean diddly. People who take this stuff seriously learn how to read nutrition labels.

  • ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de
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    2 days ago

    Everything either causes cancer or prevents it. Nothing is neutral anymore. If coffee really does keep your risk of colon cancer down though, I’ll never get it.