Researchers have revealed another potential reason to avoid ultraprocessed foods.

Seed oils — which are plant-based cooking oils that are often used in processed, packaged foods — have been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer, according to a new study published this week in the medical journal Gut.

Researchers at University of South Florida (USF) Health and Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute analyzed 162 tumor samples from colon cancer patients, according to a USF press release.

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They found that the tumors contained “an excess number” of molecules that cause inflammation and “a shortage” of healing molecules.

“It is well-known that patients with unhealthy diets have increased inflammation in their bodies,” said study author Dr. Timothy Yeatman, professor of surgery in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and associate center director for Translational Research and Innovation at the TGH Cancer Institute, in the release. 

“We now see this inflammation in the colon tumors themselves, and cancer is like a chronic wound that won’t heal – if your body is living off of daily ultra-processed foods, its ability to heal that wound decreases due to the inflammation and suppression of the immune system that ultimately allows the cancer to grow.”

“It is well-known that patients with unhealthy diets have increased inflammation in their bodies.”

The findings highlight the potential harms of the Western diet, according to Yeatman. In addition to “inflammatory seed oils,” he also cited culprits like added sugars, saturated fats, ultra-processed foods and chemicals.

“A human’s immune system can be extremely powerful and drastically impact the tumor microenvironment, which is great if harnessed correctly for health and wellness — but not if it’s suppressed by inflammatory lipids from processed foods,” the researcher said.

Dr. Timothy Yeatman and Ganesh Halade, co-authors of the study, are pictured in the lab. (Ryan Rossy)

In prior studies, the same research team found that an “imbalanced diet” also increased the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes, the release stated.

Based on these findings, the researchers recommend treating cancer with “resolution medicine,” which would aim to reverse inflammation using healthy, unprocessed foods rich with omega-3 fatty acids and derivatives of fish oil, according to the above source.

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Regular exercise and balanced sleep would also play important roles in the resolution medicine approach.

“This has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, moving beyond drugs to harness natural healing processes,” Yeatman said. 

“It’s a vital step toward addressing chronic inflammation and preventing diseases before they start.”

Dr. Yeatman reviews images of the tumors in the lab. (Ryan Rossy)

The new USF study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

There are currently clinical trials underway at TGH Cancer Institute to study the potential benefits of resolution medicine in treating and preventing disease.

Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers for comment.

Dietitians weigh in

Sherry Coleman Collins, a food allergy dietician and expert from the Atlanta metropolitan area, said she doesn’t think it’s accurate to suggest that seed oils cause cancer.

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The expert pointed out that there is an “overwhelming body of scientific literature” that shows the positive health benefits of replacing saturated fats (like lard and butter) with unsaturated fats (like safflower oil). 

“This includes a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease, which is the No. 1 killer in America,” she told Fox News Digital. 

One dietitian recommended using olive oil, noting that there’s a “significant body of evidence” for its use as part of a Mediterranean approach to eating. (iStock)

However, Collins said, “It is something to watch as we continue to better understand why colon cancer has been on the rise, and how diet impacts that increased rate.”

Seed oil isn’t the only problem with ultraprocessed foods, the dietitian pointed out.

“They tend to be very high in sodium, fat and sugar,” Collins said. “Lacking fiber and nutrients, but high in calories, they taste delicious, but don’t promote good health.”

To reduce the risk of colon cancer, dementia and many other diseases, Collins recommends cutting out smoking, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating a fiber-rich diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Ganesh Halade is pictured in his lab using a highly sensitive analytical technique to detect trace amounts of lipids in 162 tumor samples from TGH Cancer Institute. (Ryan Rossy)

In terms of cooking oils, Collins recommends using olive oil, noting that there’s a “significant body of evidence” for its use as part of a Mediterranean approach to eating.

“Extra-virgin olive oil can be a wonderful, versatile oil to use in low-medium heat cooking and it tastes great, and has a very good fatty acid profile,” she told Fox News Digital. 

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“For higher-heat cooking, I like avocado and peanut oils for their high smoke point and neutral flavor, and they too have good fatty acid profiles.” 

Collins agrees with the researchers’ recommendation to increase the intake of omega-6 fatty acids, as the American diet is “woefully deficient.”

“It is something to watch as we continue to better understand why colon cancer has been on the rise, and how diet impacts that increased rate,” a dietitian said. (iStock)

“Fatty fish, like salmon, is the best source — these can also be found in some nuts and seeds, including walnuts and chia, but they are not as bioavailable or absorbable as those of fish,” she added

Jason Fung, a Canadian nephrologist (kidney specialist), noted that the study is “preliminary and far from definitive.”

“Why take a chance?”

“The hypothesis is that eating too many seed oils means we have too many omega 6 fats, which are pro-inflammatory, and inflammation can be an important contributing factor to cancer,” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“It’s an interesting and plausible hypothesis, but not definitive.”

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Even so, Fung confirmed that he does not keep any seed oils at home.

“I only use olive oil and butter for my cooking at home. Why take a chance?”

Only around one-third of children have been vaccinated against the flu, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of Nov. 30, only 37% of kids had gotten flu shots, compared to 43% at that same date last year.

Among adults, 39% had received flu vaccinations, which was roughly the same amount as last year.

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Flu vaccination coverage had been on the uptick prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC stated, but numbers dropped at that time and have not rebounded to pre-COVID levels.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older gets a flu vaccine each year, with only “rare exceptions.”

It is particularly important for high-risk groups including adults 65 and older, children under 2, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, the same source stated.

“Although vaccines are not perfect, they are immensely important for improving human health and reducing the severity of strains.”

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Those who have heart disease, lung disease, asthma, neurologic conditions, liver disease, blood disorders, kidney conditions and metabolic disorders are also considered high-risk.

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Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, said the trends of decreasing rates are “concerning.”

“It makes it even more imperative for officials in the scientific and medical community to improve the communication channels to the public regarding the benefits and safety of vaccines,” he told Fox News Digital. 

One expert called for government authorities to express their support of sound vaccine policies for the health of citizens — “especially those most vulnerable, like children and the elderly.” (iStock)

“Although vaccines are not perfect, they are immensely important for improving human health and reducing the severity of strains, and are of critical importance to protecting society from pandemics.”

Glanville called for government authorities to express their support of sound vaccine policies for the health of citizens — “especially those most vulnerable, like children and the elderly.”

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For children who may have needle phobias, the FluMist nasal spray is another option for flu vaccination for ages 2 and older, according to Summer Kerley, GVP of pharmacy growth and clinical programs for Rite-Aid in North Carolina.

In addition to vaccinations, it’s also important to stock the medicine cabinet with essential items to further bolster your immune defenses, one expert said. (iStock)

“Our pharmacists have seen a lot of success for parents who may delay vaccinations because their child is terrified of needles,” she told Fox News Digital.

In addition to vaccinations, it’s also important to stock the medicine cabinet with essential items to further bolster immune defenses, according to Kerley.

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“Dietary supplements like vitamins C, D3 and zinc enhance our immune response and overall function,” she said.

Even when following the recommended sleep hygiene habits — like cutting off caffeine mid-day, stashing your devices an hour before bed, and winding down your day with light music or reading — racing thoughts could still interrupt your nightly rest.

If your sleep routine isn’t a dream, you’re not alone — one in three American adults don’t regularly get the recommended amount of uninterrupted slumber, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fox News Digital asked a psychiatrist for common reasons and his top tips to achieve a quiet mind that’s conducive to rest.

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Reasons for racing thoughts

While causes can vary, there are some common triggers for racing thoughts at night, according to Ramaswamy Viswanathan, MD, president of the American Psychiatric Association, who is based in Brooklyn, New York.

Stress and anxiety are the primary culprits.

“Anxiety about the day ahead can also cause it,” the doctor told Fox News Digital. “Mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder also can lead to racing thoughts.”

Those thoughts tend to be more active at night, when there aren’t other activities occupying the mind.

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“At night, when there are fewer distractions, it’s easier to ruminate over the day we just had and worries such as troubles at work, family or financial concerns,” said Viswanathan, who is also professor and interim chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn.

Consuming stimulants such as caffeine or taking certain medications close to bedtime can also interfere with relaxation and excessive mental activity, he noted. 

How do racing thoughts impair sleep?

Racing thoughts lead to a heightened state of arousal, which makes it difficult to relax and transition into sleep, the doctor said. 

And when you finally do fall asleep, an anxious mind could interrupt that sleep as the night progresses.

Stress and anxiety are the primary culprits of racing thoughts at night, experts say. (iStock)

“Many people also resume worrying when they wake up in the middle of the night, and this interferes with falling back asleep,” Viswanathan noted.

Although it’s normal to have brief periods of awakening during the night, most people fall back to sleep quickly. 

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Those who are experiencing stress, anxiety and worry, however, aren’t able to drift back as easily. 

“Since there is physiologic arousal with racing thoughts, that arousal does not readily subside when one falls asleep, and this can interfere with deep, restorative sleep,” Viswanathan told Fox News Digital. 

This can be compounded as people then start to worry about their inability to fall asleep, which makes it even more difficult to drift off.

Effects of sleep deprivation

Inadequate or poor-quality sleep can have serious negative effects on the mind and body, including decreased brain function and difficulty making decisions, solving problems and regulating emotions, Viswanathan told Fox News Digital. 

“It causes headaches, irritability and fatigue, and reduces attention and functional efficiency,” he said. “It also contributes to traffic accidents, work mistakes and relationship impairment.” 

Fatigue, headaches and irritability are among the common effects of insufficient or poor-quality sleep, according to experts. (iStock)

Long-term health can also be compromised. 

“Sleep deprivation can suppress immune function, make one more susceptible to infections, and cause unhealthy eating and weight gain,” Viswanathan warned.

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It can also increase the risk of developing chronic health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke, and can also also shorten life span, he added.

Strategies to silence racing thoughts

Taking a proactive approach is the best way to tackle chronic sleep troubles, according to Viswanathan. 

“Addressing sleep issues early on and seeking professional help when needed is important to prevent immediate and long-term consequences,” he said.

Sleep deprivation can increase the risk of developing chronic health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke, and can also also shorten life span. (iStock)

Below are some actionable steps to help keep nighttime thoughts under control.

1. Establish a bedtime routine

Sticking to a regular nighttime routine with a consistent bedtime and awakening time is “very important,” Viswanathan advised.

“Sleep deprivation can suppress immune function, make one more susceptible to infections, and cause unhealthy eating and weight gain.”

2. Be careful with late drinking and eating

Abstain from caffeinated beverages, alcohol or heavy food too close to bedtime, the doctor recommended.

3. Refrain from device use close to bedtime

Stop using smartphone displays, television screens and computers an hour before bed, Viswanathan suggested.

Abstain from caffeinated beverages, alcohol or heavy food too close to bedtime, one doctor recommended. (iStock)

“The blue light emitted from these devices interferes with the circadian rhythm,” he said. 

Instead, the doctor suggests listening to light music, reading a book, or using relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing and meditation.

4. Try a warm bath

Taking a warm bath about three hours before turning in may help calm the mind — but Viswanathan cautioned that it shouldn’t be too close to bedtime.

5. Create an environment conducive to sleep

For optimal sleep, the bedroom should be quiet, dark and cool (around 68 degrees Fahrenheit), with comfortable bedding, the doctor recommended.

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Consider using motion-activated night lights to prevent falls in the event that you need to get up in the middle of the night.

6. Schedule a time to worry

If these techniques alone are not sufficient to reduce racing thoughts, Viswanathan suggests scheduling a “worry time,” designating a specific window of time to think about your concerns and identifying a path to possible solutions. 

Writing down your worries and anxieties can help prevent sleep-interrupting thoughts. (iStock)

“This reassures you that you will address your worries, but keeps them from spilling over into your bedtime,” the doctor said.

7. Write down your concerns

Consider keeping a notebook next to your bed so you can jot down your worries as they occur and tell yourself you will act on them during the specified worry period the next day, offered Viswanathan.

8. Know when to seek help

If these self-help techniques do not work, it may be wise to seek help from a mental health professional.

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“This is especially important if you are suffering from a mental health disorder,” emphasized Viswanathan.  

The professional will perform assessments to identify any sleep disorders and recommend treatment, which may include cognitive-behavior therapy, other psychotherapies or medications.