Doctors warning on common cooking oils causing ‘cancer surge’ in young people

A US government-funded study has suggested that commonly used cooking oils could be contributing to a rise in colon cancer among young people.

Doctors are cautioning that consuming large quantities of seed oils such as sunflower, grapeseed, canola, and corn may heighten the risk of cancer.

The study examined 80 patients with colon cancer and discovered high levels of bioactive lipids, which are produced by breaking down seed oils.

While it’s been long known that seed oils cause inflammation in the body, these lipids are now thought to aid colon cancer growth and hinder the body’s ability to combat tumors.

Seed oils contain omega-6 and polyunsaturated fatty acids, while healthier alternatives like olive and avocado oil have beneficial fats like omega-3.

Despite the lack of evidence from America’s main cancer bodies linking moderate seed oil consumption to cancer, research into inflammation in the body and conditions like diabetes and heart disease has increased.

The study, published in the medical journal Gut, analyzed 81 tumor samples from individuals aged between 30 to 85 and found significantly higher levels of lipids caused by seed oils than healthier fats in their cancerous tumors.

Seed oils, originally invented by candle-maker William Procter in the early 1900s as a cheaper alternative to animal fats in soap, are a relatively new addition to the food industry.

His cottonseed oil invention, named Crisco, soon became a staple food item for Americans.

There has been an increase in colon cancer in the US, especially in young people, which is expected to rise by 90 percent in individuals between 20 to 34 years old.

In April, it was reported that dangerous pesticides found in more than half of fruit and vegetables in UK supermarkets have been linked to cancer.

PFAS chemicals, widely called ‘forever chemicals’, can lead to types of cancer, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Nick Mole, from Pan UK, said: “Given the growing body of evidence linking PFAS to serious diseases such as cancer, it is deeply worrying that US consumers are being left with no choice but to ingest these chemicals, some of which may remain in their bodies long into the future.”

Dr Shubhi Sharma, from the charity CHEM Trust, said: “PFAs are a group of entirely human-made chemicals that didn’t exist on the planet a century ago and have now contaminated every single corner.

“No one gave their consent to be exposed to these harmful chemicals, we haven’t had the choice to opt out, and now we have to live with this toxic legacy for decades to come. The very least we can do is to stop adding to this toxic burden by banning the use of PFAs as a group.”

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