Reduce Inflammation: Ditch These 8 Kitchen Oils
May 13, 2026You're doing a lot of things right. You've cut back on sugar. You're moving when your body allows it. You've looked into natural options because the standard answers haven't been enough. And still — the stiffness in the morning. The ache that flares up without warning. The exhaustion that lives just beneath the surface.
If that sounds familiar, there's something you may not have looked at yet: what's in your cooking oil.
Inflammation doesn't just live in your joints or your nerves. It lives, in part, in your pantry. And for many people working hard to feel better, a handful of common everyday oils — what nutrition researcher Dr. Kate Shanahan calls the "Hateful Eight" seed oils — may be quietly making that harder without a single warning on the front of the label.
In this episode of the Herbal Mana Podcast, Todd Bailey, CEO of Herbal Mana, breaks down which oils to watch for, where they hide, and what simple swaps you can make this week to support your body from the inside out.
Watch the episode below.
If you prefer to skim or want a quick breakdown of what he covers, here are the key takeaways:
What We'll Cover
- What Are the "Hateful Eight" Seed Oils?
- Why These Oils May Be Working Against You
- They're Hiding in Foods You'd Never Expect
- Simple Swaps That Support a Less Inflammatory Kitchen
- Practical Steps You Can Take This Week
- Inflammation Is an Inside and Outside Job
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the "Hateful Eight" Seed Oils?
The term "Hateful Eight" was coined by Dr. Kate Shanahan, a physician who has spent years researching the relationship between dietary fats and health outcomes. It refers to eight specific seed oils that are especially high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids — particularly linoleic acid — which may contribute to systemic inflammation when consumed in excess.
Those eight oils are:
- Corn oil
- Soybean oil
- Canola oil
- Cottonseed oil
- Sunflower oil
- Safflower oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Rice bran oil
Your body does need some omega-6 fat — it's essential. But in the quantities found in today's modern diet, these oils may tip the balance in the wrong direction.
"If you get a lot of linoleic acid, you're just stoking the fire of inflammation." — Todd Bailey, CEO of Herbal Mana
Why These Oils May Be Working Against You
Here's the brief science — without the overwhelm.
Seed oils are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which contain multiple double bonds. That chemical structure makes them unstable — especially when exposed to heat, light, or oxygen. When you cook with these oils, they oxidize. Oxidized fats can generate reactive compounds like aldehydes and lipid peroxides.
Over time, those compounds may contribute to oxidative stress — a key part of the inflammatory load your body is already working to manage.
The concern isn't one bad meal. It's chronic overexposure in a food environment where these oils are literally everywhere.
This issue matters especially for people who are already managing pain and discomfort. When your body is carrying a heavier inflammatory burden, every additional source adds up.
They're Hiding in Foods You'd Never Expect
This is the part that catches almost everyone off guard.
Even if you've already switched your cooking oil at home, these oils are likely showing up in packaged foods you buy every week. They hide in:
- Mayonnaise and salad dressings
- Protein bars and energy snacks
- Crackers, chips, and pretzels
- Nut butters
- Frozen meals
And here's the label trick you need to know: a product can feature "avocado oil" in large text on the front — and still contain canola oil or soybean oil as a secondary ingredient on the back.
Todd shared a firsthand example in this episode — a popular mayonnaise brand that looked avocado-oil-based on the front, until he flipped it over and found canola and soybean oil in the ingredient list.
"On the label, it looks like it's something good. In fact, I got fooled." — Todd Bailey, CEO of Herbal Mana
The fix: always read the full ingredients list, not just the front panel. If canola, soybean, or any of the Hateful Eight appear in the first three ingredients, put it back.
A reliable swap for mayo: brands like Primal Kitchen formulate their condiments without these oils — and they're widely available in most grocery stores.
Simple Swaps That Support a Less Inflammatory Kitchen
The good news: the alternatives are delicious, widely available, and far more stable under heat.
| Oil / Fat | Best Used For | What to Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|
| Extra virgin olive oil | Finishing, low-heat sautéing | Rich in monounsaturated fats; lower smoke point |
| Avocado oil | High-heat cooking | High smoke point, neutral flavor |
| Coconut oil | Baking, medium heat | Stable saturated fat; solidifies at room temp |
| Ghee (clarified butter) | Cooking, roasting | High smoke point; look for grass-fed |
| Beef tallow | High-heat cooking, grilling | Very high smoke point; deeply stable |
| Grass-fed butter | Low-heat, finishing | Nutrient-dense; not for high-heat use |
Todd's approach: "I use a lot of beef tallow because it has a high smoke point when I'm doing my cooking, barbecuing, things like that. Olive oil I use as a finish."
Practical Steps You Can Take This Week
You don't need to overhaul everything at once. Start here:
- Toss your primary cooking oil if it's one of the Hateful Eight — and replace it with avocado oil, tallow, or ghee.
- Read your condiment labels — mayo, dressings, and sauces are the most common hiding spots.
- Reduce ultra-processed snacks — if it comes in a crinkly bag from the middle of the store, assume seed oils are in there.
- Shop the perimeter of the grocery store where whole, minimally processed foods live.
These aren't dramatic changes. But they add up — especially when you're already doing the work to support your body every day.
Herbal Mana perspective: Your kitchen is one of the most powerful tools you have. Small, consistent changes to what you cook with can shift the inflammatory baseline your body is working from — one meal at a time. If you want to learn more about an anti-inflammatory diet check out our blog post Would An Anti-Inflammatory Diet Be Beneficial for You
Inflammation Is an Inside and Outside Job
Addressing what's in your kitchen is a meaningful step — and it works best as part of a fuller routine.
If you're also managing joint discomfort, stiffness, or targeted aches, some people find that pairing dietary support with a topical option helps them feel more covered. Nighttime is often when discomfort feels loudest — the house gets quiet, the distractions fade, and your body finally stops moving. A consistent topical routine can give you one calm, repeatable way to care for yourself before sleep.
Herbal Mana perspective: Treat inflammation as an inside and outside job. What you eat matters. What you apply to the areas that need support matters too. Together, they give your body the best foundation to feel better — not just today, but consistently.
If you're curious about what a targeted topical routine can add, our Royal Warrior Frankincense + DMSO Cream was formulated specifically with chronic discomfort in mind — a gentle, purposeful formula designed to support your body, not override it.
>> Explore Royal Warrior Cream
You've been working hard to feel better. That deserves to be supported — from the inside out.
You are allowed to care for your body gently. And sometimes, that starts with something as straightforward as reading a label and choosing a better oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the "Hateful Eight" seed oils?
The "Hateful Eight" is a term coined by Dr. Kate Shanahan to describe eight seed oils that are especially high in omega-6 fatty acids — particularly linoleic acid — which may contribute to inflammation when consumed in excess. The eight are: corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil, and rice bran oil.
Why are seed oils considered inflammatory?
Seed oils are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids that become chemically unstable when heated. When oxidized, they can produce reactive compounds that may contribute to oxidative stress — a key driver of the body's inflammatory load over time. The issue is less about a single meal and more about chronic overconsumption.
How do I know if seed oils are hiding in packaged foods?
Always read the full ingredient list, not just the front of the package. Seed oils are commonly found in mayonnaise, salad dressings, protein bars, crackers, chips, nut butters, and frozen meals. Even products marketed as "avocado oil" based can still contain canola or soybean oil as secondary ingredients.
What are the best cooking oils to use instead?
More stable, less inflammatory alternatives include extra virgin olive oil (best for finishing and low-heat cooking), avocado oil (high smoke point, good for cooking), coconut oil (baking and medium heat), ghee or clarified butter, beef tallow (excellent for high-heat cooking), and grass-fed butter. These fats are more chemically stable and widely available.
Can topical products help support comfort alongside dietary changes?
Some people incorporate topical support for targeted joint and muscle discomfort as part of a broader routine. Herbal Mana's Royal Warrior Cream, formulated with Frankincense and DMSO, is designed to support targeted comfort as part of a natural-feeling daily routine — working alongside, not instead of, the dietary foundations discussed here.
Want to keep learning? You'll enjoy these too:
- The Ins & Outs of Inflammation
- 9 FAQs About Inflammation
- Beat Chronic Inflammation & Take Control of Your Health | Featuring Dr. Cindy Ross
- Inflammation Relief with Chinese Medicine | Featuring Marya Badiei
- Herbal Mana Blog
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Consult your healthcare professional before use if pregnant, nursing, under medical care, taking medications, or experiencing new, severe, or worsening symptoms.