Common cooking oil could be causing colon cancer surge in young people, warn doctors

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A new study conducted by the US government suggests that commonly used cooking oils in heavily processed Western diets may be contributing to an increase in colon cancer cases.

Recent research indicates that unhealthy seed oils such as sunflower, grapeseed, canola, and corn may lead to ongoing inflammation in the body.

So far, the relationship between cooking oil and colon cancer has not been clearly established.

However, a recent study in the United States pointed to seed oils as a potential factor when researchers analyzed tumors from over 80 individuals with colon cancer, ranging in age from 30 to 85.

The tumors exhibited higher concentrations of bioactive lipids—tiny oily substances generated during the body's breakdown of seed oils—when compared to healthier types of fats, as noted in the research published in the Gut journal.

In addition to boosting inflammation, bioactive lipids interfere with the body's natural ability to heal and promote the growth of tumors.

Researchers suggested that oils high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in avocados and olives, offer a healthier option.

Well-known physician-scientist Dr. Timothy Yeatman emphasized that the results highlighted a critical need to reassess certain aspects of the Western diet, such as added sugars, saturated fats, highly processed foods, chemical additives, and inflammatory oils derived from seeds.

Dr. Yeatman, who serves as the associate center director for Translational Research and Innovation at the TGH Cancer Institute, stated, "It's widely recognized that individuals with poor diets experience higher levels of inflammation in their bodies."

“We are now observing inflammation within the tumors in the colon. Cancer behaves much like a persistent wound that refuses to heal. When your diet consists mainly of highly processed foods, your body's capacity to heal that wound diminishes. This is due to inflammation and a weakened immune system, which together create an environment that fosters cancer growth.”

However, leading health organizations in the United States have emphasized that eating moderate quantities of seed oils within a well-rounded diet has not been proven to lead to cancer.