The bizarre hidden link between seed oils and the severe fentanyl crisis in America
America has been facing a serious fentanyl crisis for years. The addiction rate is high, and unfortunately, so is the number of overdose deaths each year. The more we learn about how this crisis can be tackled, the better. Now, an American journalist has made a particularly striking claim: there may be a hidden link between consuming seed oils and the fentanyl crisis in America.
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid; a strong painkiller that doctors only prescribe when someone is in tremendous pain. Fentanyl is listed under Schedule I of the Opium Act. This list contains drugs that, according to the government, pose an unacceptable risk to our health. And it’s no wonder, because fentanyl is highly addictive. In the Netherlands, fentanyl is not commonly used as a recreational drug—not by a long shot compared with America. There, the drug is very frequently the cause of overdoses. In 2021, more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths were recorded, with a synthetic opioid such as fentanyl involved in more than 70% of cases.
Seed oil and fentanyl
Seed oils are oils made from pressed seeds. Sunflower oil is the best known, but you may also be familiar with soybean oil. Now you’re probably thinking: what could something as serious as fentanyl possibly have to do with something as innocent as seed oil? Am I secretly part of the wrong crowd because I use sunflower oil? Hmm… It’s a little more complicated than that. American journalist David Gornoski says there is a ‘hidden link’ between seed oil and the fentanyl crisis in America.
According to him, excessive consumption of seed oils intensifies chronic pain, thereby increasing demand for painkillers—including dangerous substances such as fentanyl.
Linoleic acid bomb
Why do seed oils cause inflammation, you may be wondering? Various studies indicate that it has to do with linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that is present in large amounts in seed oils. Linoleic acid is converted into arachidonic acid in the body. This can fuel a chronic inflammatory process associated with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic pain.
Western diets—including the American diet—generally contain far too many omega-6 fatty acids and too few omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in abundance in oily fish and flaxseed, are actually good for you. But we don’t eat enough of them—especially compared with the enormous amount of omega-6 we consume. Omega-6-rich seed oils are also highly processed in themselves. The seeds undergo an extensive process before ending up as oil in a bottle. In addition, many seed oils also end up in ultra-processed foods, which we love so much. Think burgers and fries. All things that fuel inflammation in the body.
Responsibility lies with the government
To an extreme degree, such inflammation can cause chronic pain, which drives people toward addictive painkillers. Fentanyl is one of them. Gornoski places part of the responsibility with the American government. Seed oils are now completely entrenched in the American diet. According to Gornoski, the idea that such oils are good for you is based on outdated nutritional guidelines. Seed oils are also very cheap, making them attractive to American households.
If Gornoski had his way, the American government would adjust subsidies, regulations, and tax policy. Guidelines promoting seed oils should be revised, he says. In this way, the government could “create a level playing field for producers of healthier fats.” According to Gornoski, this could help tackle not only food-related health issues but also America’s spiraling fentanyl crisis.
Alternative to seed oil
Should you now panic and throw your sunflower oil out the window? Of course not. Limit your use of seed oil and simply bring your omega-6 and omega-3 intake more into balance. If you do have a choice, opt for olive oil when baking or making a salad dressing. Although… Many olive oils are made from rotten olives. And there is also plenty of fake olive oil on the market. So choose a good one and don’t be afraid, because you can perfectly well cook with olive oil. The idea that this is bad for you is a myth.
Read also:
- Expert tips: how to avoid all that unhealthy, ultra-processed food in the supermarket
- Spaniards prefer sunflower oil to olive oil—but not because they actually want to
- Research shows: olive oil may help prevent Alzheimer’s
Sources: Jellinek, apotheek.nl, addictiongroup.org, Malone News
