If you’re someone who carefully considers the ingredients you use—whether in your diet or personal care products—you’ve probably come across discussions about seed oils. It’s a topic that raises valid concerns, especially when it comes to their impact on health through diet.

At Truthpaste, we value transparency and want to address these concerns head-on. While we understand why many people are wary of seed oils, it’s important to distinguish between their role in food and their use in products like toothpaste.

Why Do Seed Oils Have a Bad Reputation?

Seed oils like sunflower oil are often highlighted in discussions about diet and wellness, particularly for a few key reasons:

• Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Consuming too much omega-6 because can lead to an imbalance with omega-3s, which may affect inflammation in the body.
• Heat Sensitivity: When heated during cooking or frying, seed oils can oxidize and degrade. Oxidized fats can lead to the formation of free radicals.
• Processing: Highly refined seed oils may lose their natural nutrients and develop properties that some prefer to avoid- such as trans fats.

These are valid concerns—when we’re talking about using seed oils for cooking food when there are many alternatives to cook with.  But when it comes to toothpaste, the story is quite different.

Why Is There Sunflower Seed Oil in Toothpaste?

At Truthpaste, we use tocopherol (Vitamin E oil) as a natural antioxidant to help keep our products fresh. Tocopherol is derived from sunflower seed oil because sunflower seeds are naturally high in tocopherols.

Sunflower Seed Oil Rich in Tocopherol (Vitamin E Oil) 

There is a trace amount of Sunflower Seed Oil in our products due to the manufacture of Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Oil. This plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality and stability of the toothpaste, as well as providing some health benefits.

Benefits of Tocopherol (Vitamin E) for Oral Care

1. Antioxidant Protection: Tocopherol is a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals in the mouth, which can damage tissues and contribute to oral health issues. By reducing oxidative stress, it supports overall oral hygiene and helps protect gums and teeth.

2. Gum Health: Tocopherol has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce gum irritation and promote healthy gums. It can also soothe and calm any discomfort caused by inflammation in the mouth.

3. Prevents Cell Damage: By protecting the tissues in the mouth from oxidative damage, tocopherol supports the healing process of oral tissues, helping to maintain healthy oral mucosa.

4. Moisturizing: Tocopherol can help maintain the moisture balance in the mouth, which is beneficial for those who suffer from dry mouth or gum sensitivity.

Seed Oils in Diet vs Personal Care Care 

When using personal care products with sunflower seed oil,  unlike in cooking, there’s no risk of oxidation or the typical concerns associated with dietary seed oils. It’s important to note that because you’re not ingesting the toothpaste, it doesn’t affect your omega-6 intake or contribute to any of the potential health concerns tied to regularly consuming seed oils.

Seed Oils and Cancer

Concerns about seed oils and cancer often arise from their potential to contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation under certain conditions. While it’s not accurate to say that seed oils directly cause cancer, the way they are processed, stored, or used—such as in high-heat cooking—can lead to the formation of harmful compounds. These compounds, like aldehydes and trans fats, have been associated with oxidative stress, a state where the body’s ability to combat free radicals is overwhelmed. Over time, oxidative stress can damage cells and DNA, which may increase the risk of cancer.

It’s important to note that cancer is a complex, multifactorial disease caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. No single food or ingredient, including seed oils, can be labeled as a direct cause. However, certain dietary habits—such as consuming large amounts of highly processed or oxidized oils—may contribute to chronic inflammation, which is a known risk factor for various diseases, including cancer.

Context is crucial when assessing the risks of seed oils. The concerns are primarily linked to oils that are highly refined, repeatedly heated, or consumed in excess as part of an unbalanced diet. In contrast, moderate use of minimally processed seed oils, especially those used cold, poses far fewer risks. Additionally, seed oils used in non-dietary products, like oral care, do not carry the same concerns because they are not heated or ingested.

At Truthpaste, we use sunflower seed oil in trace amounts as part of our botanical infusions and antioxidant tocopherol. These oils are never heated, ensuring they retain their natural properties and do not produce harmful byproducts. This distinction makes the use of seed oils in our products significantly different from dietary seed oils used in cooking.

By understanding the context and use of seed oils, you can make informed decisions about your health and daily routine. 

Tocopherol: Antioxidant Protection

We choose every ingredient in Truthpaste carefully. The small amount of sunflower seed oil we use helps provide you with a high-quality, natural toothpaste that delivers the benefits you expect, from fresh breath to effective cleaning. Tocopherol offers great antioxidant protection to ensure that our toothpaste stays fresh for as long as possible.

Transparency in Our Ingredients

There are trace amounts of sunflower seed oil in our products with tocopherol due to its manufacturing process, which is why it’s listed on our labels. Products in our Kids and Charcoal ranges contain slightly more sunflower seed oil, as calendula flowers are infused in it.

Using trace amounts in oral care products, and without heating it, does not pose the same health risks as using seed oils in cooking or in foods that have been cooked with them.

We understand your concerns about seed oils and want to be transparent about how they’re used in Truthpaste, so you can feel confident in your daily routine.

Have questions or feedback? Let us know—we value your input and are always looking to improve.