| Reader, It's cheap, flavorless, and the most popular oil in America… And it's wrecking your brain.
I'm talking about cooking oil that comes from soybeans.
For the past 20 years or so, clever marketers have made all kinds of outlandish health claims about soy. They tell you it's organic, high in protein, heart-healthy, and even prevents diabetes.
Sadly, the truth is that unless it's fermented into a traditional Japanese dish called natto, soy is toxic.
Studies show that soybean products are loaded with estrogen mimickers that cause erectile dysfunction, man boobs, loss of bone and muscle mass, as well as at least half a dozen different types of cancer.
And scientists have known for years that soy does not prevent diabetes. In fact, it impairs insulin secretion and may actually result in diabetes.1
But even worse than soy is the oil that comes from it.
Meanwhile, researchers at the University of California, Riverside, recently revealed that cooking with soybean oil can upregulate a number of genetic switches in the hypothalamus part of the brain, and trigger a range of neurological changes that can result in:2 - Alzheimer's
- Parkinson's
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
Your body simply wasn't designed to consume soy. Sadly, that hasn't prevented Big Agra from pushing it on millions of unsuspecting Americans as healthy.
By selling soy as a "health food," Big Agra's marketers have turned soybeans into America's favorite cooking oil. And the problem is not just about cooking with soybean oil, because it is already present in dozens of commercial foods.
These include most salad dressings, baked goods, and the so-called "healthy" whole-grain breads. It's even in baby formula.
At the same time, soybean oil is loaded with pro-inflammatory omega-6s, which act as a metabolic poison when consumed in excess.3
The UC Riverside study also found that soybean oil could induce obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and fatty liver disease in mice.
In this study, the researchers compared soybean oils to coconut oil.
Then they looked at the hypothalamus of the mice. This is a small, but critical area of the brain that affects numerous body functions.
The research team found that the soybean oils – but not coconut oil – caused more than 100 genes in the brain to stop working as they should.
Additional studies show that cooking with coconut oil produces the fewest changes in hypothalamic genes, and therefore carries the least risk of causing neurological damage.4
I recommend my patients use coconut oil every day to improve their health. Studies show the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil can: - Protect against heart disease5
- Reduce insulin resistance6
- Boost brain function in people with Alzheimer's disease 7
- Reduce inflammation and arthritis8
- Prevent osteoporosis9
- Protect the liver10
3 Ways to Add More Healthy Oil to Your Diet Here are three ways you can get more coconut oil in your diet – and ditch soybeans once and for all... - Fry with it. Coconut oil has a high smoke point. That means that it won't degrade at high temperatures — leaving all the fatty acids intact. It's especially great for pan searing. If you do cook with it, consider getting it without flavor. This is known as "expeller-pressed" coconut oil.
- Make a smoothie. Scoop a healthy serving of coconut oil (it'll probably be solid, but that's okay) into the blender. Mix in your favorite fresh fruits. Maybe even add some protein powder. Add organic milk and a little ice. Blend it all and enjoy a tasty, heart-healthy smoothie.
- Take it to go. This delicious and healthy trail mix is great for people on the go. Here's how to make it…
Ingredients: - 1 cup almonds
- 1 cup cashews
- ¼ cup raw shelled pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ¼ cup coconut oil (melted)
- ½ cup raw honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp Himalayan pink salt
- 1 cup dried fruit (optional)
Directions: - Preheat oven to 275 F. Place the almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and coconut flakes in a food processor or blender. Pulse a few times to break into chunks.
- Place the coconut oil, raw honey, and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and allow to melt. Stir to combine, then add the ground nut mixture. Stir until everything is fully coated.
- Spread the trail mix evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cook for 25-30 minutes until lightly browned, stirring once or twice. Remove from the oven, add the dried fruit, and sprinkle with sea salt. Press the mixture together firmly to form a tight, flat surface.
- Cool for 20-30 minutes or until fully hardened. Break into chunks.
- Store it in an airtight container. It will keep for up to a week.
To Your Good Health, 
Al Sears, MD, CNS
References: - Deol P, et al. "Soybean oil is more obesogenic and diabetogenic than coconut oil and fructose in mouse: potential role for the liver." PLoS One. 2015 Jul 22;10(7):e0132672.
- Deol P, et al. "Dysregulation of hypothalamic gene expression and the oxytocinergic system by soybean oil diets in male mice." Endocrinology. 2020; 161(2).
- Patterson, E et al. "Health implications of high dietary omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids." J Nutr Metab. 2012:539426.
- Deol P, et al. "Dysregulation of Hypothalamic gene expression and the oxytocinergic system by soybean oil diets in male mice." Endocrinology. February 2020. 161(2).
- Khaw KT, et al. "Randomised trial of coconut oil, olive oil or butter on blood lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors in healthy men and women." BMJ Open. 2018;(8)3:e020167.
- Han JR, et al. "Effects of dietary medium-chain triglyceride on weight loss and insulin sensitivity in a group of moderately overweight free-living type 2 diabetic Chinese subjects." Metabolism. 2007;56(7):985-991.
- De la Rubia Orti JE, et al. "Improvement of main cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer's disease after treatment with coconut-oil enriched Mediterranean diet: A pilot study." J Alzheimer's Dis. July 20, 2018.
- Vysakh A, et al. "Polyphenolics isolated from virgin coconut oil inhibits adjuvant induced arthritis in rats through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action." Int Immunopharmacol. 2014;20(1):124-130.
- Hayatullina Z, et al. "Virgin coconut oil supplementation prevents bone loss in osteoporosis rat model." Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:237236.
- Otuechere CA, et al. "Virgin coconut oil protects against liver damage in albino rats challenged with the anti-folate combination, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.".J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2014;25(2):249-253.
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