Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill

Use ghee, avocado oil or cold-pressed coconut oil - Dr Maharaj

By Navitalai Naivalurua

22/12/2025

With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is urging Fijians to revert to the eating habits of our ancestors, saying they did not suffer from the diseases we are facing today.

While speaking on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan, O’Neill says that as a nutritionist, they study the three essential food groups, and Fiji has one of the most beneficial natural fats — coconut.

She says that only now are cardiologists are acknowledging the fact that saturated fat is not causing heart disease.

She adds that one of the main contributors to heart disease is cheap seed oils.

Insert: Barbara on cheap oils

Former President of the Fiji College of General Practitioners and General Practitioner with a special interest in NCDs, child health and natural medicine, Doctor Rajesh Maharaj says the statistics are not looking good, with around 80 percent of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases, while diabetes accounted for 16 percent of deaths in 2011.

He says 66 percent of the Fijian population is overweight or obese.

Speaking on cheap seed oils, Dr Maharaj says when seed oils are heated, they go through extensive chemical processing, which leads to the formation of trans fats and other unhealthy fats, causing inflammation in the body.

He says inflammation damages and challenges the immune system.

He adds that inflammation in the body contributes to chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, cataracts and stroke.

The former President of the Fiji College of General Practitioners says ghee, avocado oil and cold-pressed coconut oil can be used in place of cheap seed oils.

Insert: Doc on oils