Omega-6 seed oils and cellulite

Our Beachy Legs articles are a practical way to share our experience in cellulite and skin tightening, from our London clinic with everyone in the world. Check all our articles here. And if you do live in London, you can book an assessment, consultation or treatment with us here.

• Can seed oils cause cellulite?

• Seed oils in food, frying with seed oils, hydrogenated seed oils, and cellulite

• Are rapeseed oil, peanut oil, palm oil or coconut oil a better alternative to other seed oils?

• What about olive oil?

• If you want healthy blood vessels and smooth thighs, never fry

• Check our professional consultancy for a masterclass in radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, cellulite and skin tightening

Can seed oils cause cellulite?

Seeds mainly contain omega-6 fatty acids (mainly linoleic acid), of which the Western diet already contains too much, tipping the omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid balance from an ideal 1:4 to an excessive 1:15 or even 1:20.

Excess omega-6 fatty acid consumption is known to contribute towards low grade inflammation, which is a big contributing factor to cellulite.

Furthermore, like all oils and fats, seed oils (sunflower oil, corn oil, soy bean oil, cottonseed oil etc) carry 9 calories per gram. Excessive fat intake leads to fat accumulation, which is the main contributing factors towards the appearance of cellulite.

The combination of these two effects can help initiate and increase cellulite.

Seed oils in food, frying with seed oils, hydrogenated seed oils, and cellulite

Seed oils are contained in a lot of processed foods, plus they are commonly used for frying.

Fried oils - of ANY kind and including seeds oils - cause inflammation, glycation and oxidative damage, all of which cause cellulite.

All in all, excessive seed oil intake is an important cause of cellulite - even more so if the oil is fried or otherwise cooked at high temperatures.

Furthermore, seed oils are the ones usually hydrogenated, resulting in trans fats - the worst possible fats one can consume.

However, excessive intake of fat in general (and calories, more generally) is an important cause of cellulite - not just excessive seed oil intake.

Plus, for most people sugar is an even more important cellulite cause - especially when contained in cakes, doughnuts etc, rich is seed oils.

Are rapeseed oil, peanut oil, palm oil or coconut oil a better alternative to other seed oils?

Absolutely not.

Unlike other seed oils, rapeseed oil, contains mainly omega-9 fatty acids. However, contrary to popular belief, it is not a healthy oil, due to its content of toxic very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) erucic acid: 1, 2, 3.

Peanut oil is well known for its atherogenicity (1, 2) - so not a great idea either.

And palm and coconut oil are rich in saturated fats, which contrary to influencer wisdom on instagram, they are NOT great, either for your blood vessels or your cellulite.

What about olive oil and avocado oil?

The safest and healthiest widely available oil available remains EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), as it is rich in omega-9. fatty acids (oleic acid) and also contains valuable polyphenols not found in any other oil.

However, even healthy olive oil contains 9 calories per gram, so it can contribute to overweight and cellulite if consumed in excess.

Avocado oil is a close second, but it is more expensive and less patabale than EVOO.

If you want healthy blood vessels / skin and smooth thighs, never fry

And as mentioned above, frying with olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, butter, palm oil, lard, beef tallow etc etc is never good for you, regardless what instagram says.

So, if possible, avoid frying at all costs - with any oil - as frying is really evil for your blood vessels, skin and, specifically, cellulite.

Check our professional consultancy for a masterclass in radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, cellulite and skin tightening

Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, cellulite and skin tightening? Attend a half-day, 1-day, 2-day or 3-day professional consultancy / one-to-one training and confidently offer your clients the safest, strongest and most effective treatment possible. Service available via Zoom or at our central London practice.