Vegetable oil, also referred to as canola oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, and margarine, is a highly unstable oil. It is found across many food items (especially packaged foods and fried foods), including those deemed "organic". So you may be thinking you're eating healthy, however this cheeky little additive can wreck havoc on the body. This is because vegetable oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids, which are pro-inflammatory. Small amounts of omega-6 (usually from nuts, seeds, and grains) are needed for proper immune function, but higher amounts can cause free radical damage and contribute to systemic inflammation and disease, especially when not balanced with omega-3 fatty acids. Whilst our bodies can handle small amounts here and there, the modern Western Diet is actually packed with omega-6. Which makes sense with the skyrocketing levels of chronic disease we have in our population. Reading labels is important, but where possible, try and opt for wholefoods and products that contain/are cooked in healthier wholefoods fats such as olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, butter, ghee, and beef tallow.