It's
amazing to me...The more research I do, the more I
see a relationship between the food we eat and fatal diseases. Canola oil
is no exception. Readers of EOO are familiar with the meat industry practice
of feeding rendered meat "by-products" to cattle and poultry (EOO #015),
and the suspected relationship of Mad Cow Disease to CJD and Alzheimer's
Disease (EOO #016). Now comes information that Canola Oil is the suspected
causative agent for Scrapie, a viral disease transmitted to cattle who
were fed rendered sheep infected with Scrapie. Both Scrapie and Mad Cow
Disease destroy the brain's ability to function. They literally eat the
brain away, causing blindness, loss of mind and erratic behavior.
Canola oil's real name is "LEAR" oil (Low Erucic Acid Rape). It is
more commonly known as "rape oil," a semi-drying oil that is used as a
lubricant, fuel, soap and synthetic rubber base, and as an illuminant to
give color pages in magazines their slick look. In short it is an industrial
oil that does not belong in the human body. It is typically referred to
in light industry as a penetrating oil. Canola oil is a GM or genetically modified product
You have read about GM foods? If not, you need to go to our page about such products..
In addition, a recent report from the EPA (1998) states
that they have classified canola oil as a biopesticide which ..."has low chronic toxicities". Further, they say
that no studies have been done regarding toxic effects on Humans. The fact that they state that it is a pesticide and
that there have been no studies, plus the fact it is a GM food, says to us it is something to stay away from! It is
like so many other things "they" say are good for us like fluoride, canola oil and fluoride both accumulate and
build up in the Human systems.
Back in the 1980's, rape oil was widely used in animal feeds
in England and throughout Europe. It was banned in 1991. Since then, Scrapie
in sheep has totally disappeared.
While that's good for Europeans, it is bad for Americans because
the problem is now ours. Rape seed oil (Canola oil) is widely used in thousands
of processed foods...with the blessings of our own government.
Canola oil was first developed in Canada. It's proponents claim
that due to genetic engineering and irradiation, it is no longer rape oil,
but "canola" (Canadian oil). They also claim it is completely safe, pointing
to it's unsaturated structure and digestibility. Although, I could not
verify it, it is claimed the Canadian government paid the FDA the sum of
$50 million dollars to have canola oil placed on the GRAS list (Generally
Recognized As Safe). However it was done, a new industry was created.
The truth is however, that rape is the most toxic of all food
oil plants. Not even insects will eat it. No wonder farmers like growing
it. It turns out that rape is a member of the mustard family of plants,
and is the source for the chemical agent, mustard gas, which causes blistering
on skin and lungs when inhaled. Mustard Gas was banned after WWI for this
very reason.
Studies of canola oil done on rats indicate many problems. Rats developed
fatty degeneration of heart, kidney, adrenals and thyroid gland. When the
canola oil was withdrawn from their diet, the deposits dissolved, but scar
tissue remained on the organs. Why were no studies done on humans before
the FDA placed it on the GRAS list?
Consumed in food, Canola oil depresses the immune system, causing
it to "go to sleep." Canola oil is high in glycosides which cause health
problems by blocking (inhibiting) enzyme function. Its effects are accumulative,
taking years to show up. One possible effect of long term use is the destruction
of the protective coating surrounding nerves called the myelin sheath. When
this protective sheath is gone, our nerves short-circuit causing erratic,
uncontrollable movements.
To test the industrial penetrating strength of canola oil, soak a
towel in both canola oil and regular vegetable oil. Pre-treat and wash
the towel in your clothes washer and compare the area the two oils occupied...you
will notice an oil stain remains on the area soaked in canola oil. It is
so durable, it could take several washings to completely remove. Now if
this is how canola oil penetrates the fabric of a towel, what damage can
it do in your body?
Because canola oil is so cheap, it is now widely used in the
food industry. If you are curious, just read a few food labels the next
time you are in the grocery store. A good example can be found with commercially
prepared peanut butter. In order to give peanut butter it's spreadability,
Jiffy, Peter Pan and Skippy brands remove ALL of the natural peanut oil
and replace it with canola oil. Natural peanut butter should only have
peanuts and salt listed in the ingredients.
If you want to use natural peanut butter, it's available in
most stores next to the canola peanut butter. Stir the contents to mix
the oil and peanuts together then store in the refrigerator. The cold temperature
will prevent the peanut oil from separating. Best of all, you will have
eliminated at least one source of a potential food hazard.
Food consumers have headaches enough, without worrying about
a toxic plant oil being added to their food. The problem is you will find
canola oil in bread, margarines, and all manner of processed foods including potato chips. But
the consumer is king. Be informed and make it a practice to read the package ingredients label as
to what is in the food. Avoid using canola as a cooking oil and salad oil. It is
not a healthy oil. It'll work great for lubricating mechanical items.
