Oil info
 

Our acceptance of dietary fat has come a long way. Just a few short years ago, athletes, bodybuilders, and health nuts alike set aside their differences in agreement that every low-down dirty member of the oily "9 calories per gram" gang should be rounded up and hanged at sunset from the tallest tree.

Thankfully, times have changed. Health authorities today accept that monounsaturated fats can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and the essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid (omega 3) and linoleic acid (omega 6) are required just for life itself. Even the once-vilified saturated fat is now being re-classified as "not so bad after all," considering it's necessary for proper cell membrane function.

It's not just about boring ol' health and wellness, either. According to warrior nerd Dr. Lonnie Lowery, a low fat diet can lead to a 10-15% drop in serum Testosterone and an increase in SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin), a protein that binds to Testosterone, rendering it ineffective. So not only is less T being made, whatever's left is being increasingly bound up, gagged, and whisked away to an unmarked government office for "reeducation."

So an extra tablespoon or two of oil is a good little T booster, especially if you're not into fatty cuts of meat or seafood, or swell up like a puffer fish at the very sight of eggs or nuts.

The trouble is, certain fats are better to cook with, while some are better used as a topping. Others have extra nutrients that make them nutritional powerhouses, to borrow an overused phrase.

Let's examine what oils you should be using and why. I'll give each a "squat rack rating" with 4 squat racks being best. First, I'll describe the considerations I took in ranking the oils.

Ranking Considerations
Usefulness for Cooking
The more saturated a fat is, the less likely it is to go rancid when used in cooking.
Rancidity means that the fat is breaking down chemically due to oxidation and ingesting these fats is the reason we see increased rates of heart disease and atherosclerosis. To avoid eating rancid fats, you should cook with oils higher in saturated fat.

For example, coconut oil would be a good choice for cooking as it's 91% saturated fat, whereas safflower oil shouldn't be used as it's 75% polyunsaturated.

Do not let oils reach their smoke point during cooking.
The smoke point is where the oil reaches a temperature at which it starts to break down rapidly. The oil may turn darker in color, get thicker, or even start to stink. Obviously a higher smoke point is best for cooking purposes, but rather than break out the trusty thermometer, just use a more stable oil to cook with.

Usefulness as a Topping
When I say a topping, I mean to add to a shake, drizzle on top of a salad or meal, or just drink like a fatty acid shooter. You can even use that gold-rimmed shot glass you stole from TGI Fridays.

Since you shouldn't cook with highly polyunsaturated oils due to their fragile state and propensity for oxidation, this is the perfect way to get your EFA's – especially if you're not a fan of fatty fish like wild Alaskan salmon. This is also a great way to add monounsaturated fats.