Oils to be Aware of Because of Estrogenic Effect

If you went looking for excess estrogen in your life, would you suspect it in your cooking oils? Why exactly does it matter, and what does more estrogen do in the body? Well, nobody really wants or needs more estrogen. It causes many problems in the body. Excess estrogen, whether from internal imbalances or external sources like xenoestrogens, disrupts the body’s delicate hormonal equilibrium, leading to widespread health issues. This overabundance drives abnormal cell growth, increasing the risk of breast and uterine cancers, while also overwhelming the liver’s ability to detoxify, leaving the body burdened with unmetabolized hormones. Estrogen dominance contributes to reproductive disorders such as infertility and endometriosis, metabolic disturbances like weight gain and insulin resistance, and inflammatory conditions, including arthritis and fibroids. In men, elevated estrogen levels suppress testosterone, resulting in gynecomastia (man-boobs) and reduced fertility. Cognitive issues, mood swings, and thyroid dysfunction are also common, as estrogen's influence extends to brain and metabolic pathways. Excess estrogen affects the brain pathways by altering neurotransmitter function, particularly serotonin and dopamine (your happy, calm, and relaxed hormones), leading to mood swings, anxiety, depression, and impaired memory or cognitive function. It also influences the metabolic pathways by disrupting insulin sensitivity, promoting fat storage, impairing thyroid function, and increasing systemic inflammation, all of which can contribute to conditions like weight gain, fatigue, and hypothyroidism. Its systemic impact highlights the importance of limiting exposure to estrogenic compounds and supporting natural hormone balance to mitigate these far-reaching effects.

---

Let’s take a detailed, oil-by-oil look at which ones may have estrogenic effects, why, and which ones are safer for hormonal health.

Potentially Estrogenic Oils

Soybean Oil

   - Why Estrogenic: Contains phytoestrogens, plant compounds that mimic estrogen in the body. While phytoestrogens are weaker than human estrogens, high intake can lead to estrogen dominance in sensitive individuals. This is especially true for processed soybean oil, which is widely used in commercial foods.

Verdict: Avoid, especially refined forms.

Corn Oil

   - Why Estrogenic: Derived from a heavily pesticide-treated crop, and refined corn oil often contains pesticide residues. These contaminants disrupt the endocrine system and may increase estrogenic load.

Verdict: Avoid unless organic and minimally processed, though alternatives are better.

Canola Oil

   - Why Estrogenic: While not naturally estrogenic, most canola oil is highly refined and derived from genetically modified crops. The refining process can introduce chemical residues with potential xenoestrogenic effects.

Verdict: Avoid refined canola oil. Cold-pressed, organic canola may be less risky but still not ideal.

Palm Oil

   - Why Estrogenic: The oil itself is not estrogenic, but its widespread processing and contamination during production can lead to xenoestrogenic exposure. Very bad LDL increase associated, which increases risk of heart attack and cardiovascular issues.

Verdict: Avoid

Vegetable Oil (Blended)

   - Why Estrogenic: Blended vegetable oils typically combine refined oils (soy, corn, canola) and are processed with chemicals that contribute to endocrine disruption.

Verdict: Avoid entirely.

Oils with Questionable Estrogenic Activity

Essential Oils (Lavender, Tea Tree)

   - Why Estrogenic: Some studies suggest weak estrogenic activity when used frequently topically or in large amounts. These effects have been noted in rare cases of gynecomastia (breast tissue development in males) when products containing these oils were used excessively. 

Verdict: Be aware if you are one of those individuals that is sensitive to it. Otherwise one not need worry.

Oils That Are Not Estrogenic

Olive Oil

   - Why Not Estrogenic: Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is anti-inflammatory and has no estrogen-mimicking properties. It contains polyphenols and antioxidants that support hormone balance.

Verdict: Safe and beneficial for hormone health when unrefined.

Coconut Oil

   - Why Not Estrogenic: Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that support metabolism and do not interact with estrogen pathways.

   - Health Disclaimer: While coconut oil is not estrogenic and is free of contaminants, I do not recommend consuming it. Research indicates that its high saturated fat content can increase LDL cholesterol levels, which contributes to atherosclerosis and raises the risk of heart attack (Eyres et al., 2016).

Verdict: Avoid as much as possible.

Avocado Oil

   - Why Not Estrogenic: Rich in monounsaturated fats and anti-inflammatory compounds, avocado oil supports overall hormone health.

Verdict: Excellent choice for high-heat cooking and dressings.

Flaxseed Oil

    - Why Not Estrogenic: While flaxseeds themselves are rich in lignans (a type of phytoestrogen), flaxseed oil does not retain the same compounds in significant amounts. It’s generally neutral or mildly supportive for hormone balance.

Verdict: Generally safe for limited use in cold applications. Don't cook with or heat it.

Ghee/Butter

    - Why Not Estrogenic: Ghee made from grass-fed cows is free of xenoestrogens. However, conventional butter may contain hormone residues if the cows were treated with synthetic hormones. As it is an animal source and all animal sources have alarming amounts of xenoestrogen, estrogen disruptors in high amounts, a plant based diet is best.

    Verdict: Not great. Use only organic, grass-fed ghee or butter if consuming dairy.

Sesame Oil

    - Why Not Estrogenic: Sesame oil is not estrogenic and is often used in traditional medicine to support hormone health.

Verdict: Safe for moderate use.

Oil	Estrogenic?	Notes
Soybean Oil	Yes	High in phytoestrogens, avoid
Corn Oil	Yes	Pesticides and processing chemicals
Canola Oil	Yes	Refined versions are problematic
Palm Oil	Possibly	Watch for contamination during processing
Vegetable Oil (Blended)	Yes	Contains refined, GMO oils
Lavender/Tea Tree Oils	Slightly	Weak estrogenic effects topically; be aware of your body
Olive Oil	No	Anti-inflammatory and clean
Coconut Oil	No	Avoid consuming; linked to heart risks
Avocado Oil	No	Excellent for cooking and dressings
Flaxseed Oil	No	Lacks significant phytoestrogen content
Ghee/Butter	No	Use only grass fed or not at all
Sesame Oil	No	Safe for hormone health

Conclusion

Most highly processed and refined oils, especially those from GMO crops like soy, corn, and canola, carry the greatest risk of containing estrogenic compounds or contributing to hormonal imbalance due to their processing methods. In contrast, clean, minimally processed oils like olive and avocado oils are safe and beneficial for hormonal health. While coconut oil is not estrogenic, its dietary use is not recommended due to cardiovascular risks. Choosing unrefined, organic options and avoiding industrial oils will significantly reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens.

Reference

Eyres, L., Eyres, M. F., Chisholm, A., & Brown, R. C. (2016). Coconut oil consumption and cardiovascular risk factors in humans. Nutrition Reviews, 74(4), 267-280. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuw002