cold pressed canola oil...ok?

[kaybee]

a nearby organic market has started carrying a cold-pressed organic canola oil that is produced on a farm here in ireland. the bottle itself states that it is gently dried and then cold pressed. im going to contact the farm to find out the drying and pressing temps, i.e. if its really raw, and if it is, im wondering if canola oil is healthy? i love olive oil, etc, but if the canola is in fact raw, and is beneficial, then i would love to replace some of my other oils with a more locally produced oil... anyone?

edit: hmmm. according to wiki, canola, developed from rapeseed, seems ok, but actual rapeseed can have toxic compounds in it...so i guess ill have to ask them what theyre actually growing, canola or rapeseed. seems confusing...

[Humanist]

Canola oil is best avoided. It is genetically modified—frankenfood.

[kaybee]

its organic. and in europe. i dont think it CAN be gmo if its organic and grown in europe...?

[katchmoleen]

Just read about this. In the EU there is no genetically modified canola, but in the US and Canada, 85% of it is. As to whether it is a healthy oil, there are mixed reviews. I choose to avoid it:
http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/new/canola.htm

Although this article pertains to heated canola oil.....hmmmmm from what the article says, cold pressed canola oil would stink to high heaven. Wonder if that is the case.

[kaybee]

hmmm. thats too bad. it doesnt sound so good even if it IS organic and possibly raw... too bad cuz i'd really like to use more local stuff and not alot of oil-producing crops will grow here. :( ah well. cant compromise health just to buy local ;)

[walnutty]

I just got this in the mail today and am very excited to try it!:

http://www.xagave.com/shop/canola-oil/16-9-fl-oz-canola/canola-oil-16-9-fl-oz-2-pack-1/


They sent it to me free when I placed an order for the Xagave!

[SunshineMN]

I followed the link given by katchmoleen and it stated exactly what I had read a couple years ago and why I choose to not use it.


The reason canola is particularly unsuited for consumption is because it contains a very–long–chain fatty acid called erucic acid, which under some circumstances is associated with fibrotic heart lesions.

Sally Fallon, author of Nourishing Traditions, notes that the omega–3 fatty acids of processed canola oil are transformed during the deodorizing process into trans–fatty acids. She relates that one study indicated that "heart healthy" canola oil actually created a deficiency of vitamin E, which, as many of us know, is essential to our cardiovascular health. And on the practical side of things, canola isn't that good either. Because of its high sulphur content, it goes rancid easily, and baked goods used with the oil develop molds rather quickly.

Doesn't sound like it's worth the risk. Coconut oil or olive oil is much healthier for you.