Soybean oil is extracted from beans, not seeds. Unrefined soybean oil is one of the richest sources of lecithin (2 percent) and also contains 5 to 7 percent of the omega 3 linolenic acid (LNA), in addition to being high in the omega 6 essential fatty acid, linoleic acid (LA). In the unrefined state, soy oil is rich in both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, yet most commercial soy oils are refined and hydrogenated. Because it has a high boiling point, it is okay for cooking.
NUTRITIP: Go Right to the Seed
The seeds from which popular oils are extracted (e.g., nuts and sunflower seeds) are more nutritious than the oils that are extracted from the seeds. Papaya seeds, for example, which are usually discarded, are nutritious when ground like pepper and sprinkled on salad.
