1. Posted by gojilover on Thu, Mar 08, 2007, 9:28 am PST

I'm curious about your thoughts on goji juice. I have been taking it since September 2006 with great results. I have lost 70 lbs, my energy level is up, I feel better at 40 than I did at 20. I use to have headaches, digestive problems, sleep interuption due to overactive bladder all gone since taking goji juice.

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2. Posted by ricecakecoaster on Thu, Mar 08, 2007, 3:01 pm PST

I'm confused. I thought you were supposed to use safflower or sunflower oils for high heat frying, use something like a light olive oil for medium heat cooking, then use extra virgin olive oil and flax oils for salad dressings or low heat cooking. I heard it was unhealthy to use olive oils at high heat. That's why I was using safflower or sunflower oils. Now this article says stay away from safflower and sunflower oils. Does someone know?

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3. Posted by Catnap on Fri, Mar 09, 2007, 5:00 pm PST

#2 From what I've seen Almond, Sesame, Avocado, Sunflower, Safflower & Canola oils are best for high heat cooking (frying) 'cos of their high smoke point. Olive oil, & refined sesame oil don't have a high smoke point so they're better for medium heat cooking (light sauteing). If an oil goes beyond it's smoke point, it releases free radicals in the oil & carcinogens into the air. It sounds like refined sesame would be the substitute this article is recommending for a healthy all-purpose cooking oil.

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4. Posted by Catnap on Fri, Mar 09, 2007, 5:06 pm PST

Also, I don't know if all safflower cooking oils are hydrogenated - the article only says to avoid hydrogenated safflower oil. It's good to stay away from hydrogenated (anything) whenever possible.

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5. Posted by ricecakecoaster on Sat, Mar 10, 2007, 12:27 pm PST

3,4: thanks. that helps.

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6. Posted by whiteoakmiracle on Sat, Mar 10, 2007, 6:05 pm PST

Hi, Catnap. I think anything that gets fried in any oil, has pretty much destroyed it nutrionally. But it sure does taste good!

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7. Posted by Catnap on Sun, Mar 11, 2007, 8:03 pm PDT

ooops!! #3 should've said "olive oil & UNrefined sesame oil don't have a high smoke point..."

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8. Posted by Catnap on Sun, Mar 11, 2007, 8:04 pm PDT

#6 WOM, so true but so yummy!!!

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9. Posted by melly on Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 10:29 am PDT

#6... Frying food is delicious but unhealthy. But we're talking about *cooking* with oil here, not frying!

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10. Posted by boomtewe on Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 10:34 am PDT

Its best to use olive oil in preparing your meals, i agree with you total, thanks for your healthtips.

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11. Posted by hordling on Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 10:51 am PDT

So should we stay away from polyunsaturated fats?

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12. Posted by hordling on Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 10:51 am PDT

So should we stay away from polyunsaturated fats?

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13. Posted by Emily R on Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 10:53 am PDT

i live in orlando...where can i find goji juice products? i've done a search online, but no luck.

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14. Posted by gaildiedrich on Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 10:55 am PDT

what about coconut oil?

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15. Posted by A Carmy of One on Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 10:57 am PDT

I have a STRONG disagreement with how Dr. Mao put the oils in order of how "dangerous" they are. I'd just like to say, that I'd MUCH rather have a stroke or a heart attack than friggin' Cancer or heart disease. Personally, I continue to maintain that no matter how bad something like butter(which I do eat!) is, or regular soda(which I don't drink at all, but read on) is for you with the fat and the sugar, they are a MUCH better option for you than their counterparts of Margerine and Diet Soda. Those things are NOT NATURAL FOR THE HUMAN BODY! Since artificial sweeteners and oils have only been around for a short time (What... about 50/60 years?), we are unable to really analyze how these chemicals react with our bodies and brains. Personally, I think that Dr. Mao needs to re-order the oils. I just can't believe that a heart-attack is "worse" than having Cancer to him. That's just dumb and irresponsible to all the people reading his column.

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