By Angela Dansby
On Jan. 14, 2025, the U.S. Canola Association (USCA) submitted comments in support of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s (DGAC’s) scientific report. It applauds the committee’s sound dietary fat recommendations and listing of canola oil as a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat but made a special request: list canola oil as a good source of unsaturated fats overall as well as vitamins E and K. Here’s why:
- Canola oil is made up of 93% unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs)—the highest of any common vegetable oil. Its specific composition includes:
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- 62% monounsaturated fat (oleic acid)
- 19% omega-6 polyunsaturated fat (linoleic acid)
- 9% omega-3 polyunsaturated fat (alpha-linolenic acid)
- It’s also a great source of vitamin E (tocopherol) and vitamin K—two nutrients that many Americans don’t get enough of. In fact:
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- 74% of people over age 1 don’t meet the recommended vitamin E intake.
- One tablespoon of canola oil provides 2.4 mg of vitamin E and 10 mcg of vitamin K, making it an easy, everyday way to boost these essential nutrients.
Proven Health Benefits
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a qualified health claim for canola oil in 2006 because of its ability to reduce heart disease risk. Replacing saturated fats with just 1.5 tablespoons (19 grams) of canola oil per day may help lower the risk of coronary heart disease.
Scientific evidence also shows that canola oil:
✅ Reduces total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
✅ Improves insulin sensitivity and helps control blood sugar, especially for people with type 2 diabetes
✅ May lower abdominal fat and promote a healthy weight
✅ Does not increase inflammation or oxidative stress—and may even reduce it
✅ Promotes cardiovascular health with anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory effects
Recent studies, including one published in the British Journal of Nutrition (October 2024), back these benefits, highlighting the role of unsaturated fats in reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
USCA Recommendation
Given its nutrient profile and health benefits, the USCA recommends canola oil be called out in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-30 as a:
- vegetable oil high in unsaturated fats
- good source of vitamins E and K
Canola oil is versatile, affordable and healthy, supporting heart health, diabetes management and overall nutrition. It deserves further recognition in the dietary recommendations—and a place in everyone’s kitchen.
Angela Dansby is USCA director of communications.