Do Certain Oils Cause Joint Pain and Headaches?

By: Elina Stanley
You probably use a variety of oils in your cooking every day – from olive oil to vegetable oil to canola oil. But did you know that there is a relationship between certain oils and joint pain and headaches?
It’s important to understand how the ingredients and foods you consume daily can impact your body.  I am a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and if you missed my recent seminar at LSTC called Pain Management Through Your Diet, I’d like to tell you how certain oils you consume on the daily basis could be behind the pain and headaches you are experiencing.
Research has shown a direct link between low levels of Omega-3 in your diet and pain.  Omega-6 oils are pro-inflammatory and can cause pain. Here are some examples of Omega-6 oils:
-Corn oil
-Vegetable oil
Safflower oil
-Cottonseed oil
-Soy oil
Most restaurants and prepackaged foods contain one or more of these and I’ll bet you have bottles of these oils in your kitchen. The damage happens due to pro-inflammatory nature of Omega-6, that is not balanced by the healthier fatty acid Omega-3.
These Omega-6 oils are also made toxic in processing and become more so when you cook with them because they have a low temperature threshold before they become rancid.
What oils should you use?
Try baking and sauteing food in coconut oil, sesame oil or light olive oil. Use extra virgin olive oil only to flavor cooked vegetables and salads.
Make sure you are getting your dose of Omega-3 to counteract Omega-6 on a daily basis. You can do this by consuming fish oil, krill, cod liver oil or whole food sources such as walnuts, pecans, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and pumpkin seeds.  You can also eat wild fish such as salmon, cod, sardines or grass fed, pastured animal products that includes yogurt, meat, butter and eggs.
Your diet plays a key role in how you feel every day.  If you have questions or would like to learn more about how you can manage your pain and improve your overall wellness through food, email me at elina@yournutritionist.net or call Loudoun Sports Therapy Center and set up a FREE initial nutrition consultation. Click the linki to learn more about my services: https://www.loudounsportstherapy.com/nutrition-consultation/