Aflatoxin concern: Implicated in liver cancer

Quick note: You can substitute almonds, filberts or pistachios for a similar taste.

I think the main concern about peanuts is their tendency to harbour aflatoxins.

Aflatoxin (Aspergillus Flavus) is a mold that may form on peanuts and other crops where plants are under stress. The stress can be from excessive heat, extremely dry situations, excessive moisture and/or combinations of these conditions.

Aflatoxin can also develop if peanuts are stored improperly, such as in an excessively wet environment.

The USDA's acceptable level for aflatoxin mold is 15 ppb.

Aflatoxin, a mycotoxin (fungus), is suspected of causing liver cancer in both humans and animals.

This information is quoted, with minor modifications, from p. 79 of "Hooked on Raw," by Rhio.

If you get organic peanuts, they are not subjected to toxic sprays, and so the plants are hardier and less likely to harbour the mold Aspergillus flavus, which produces the cancer-causing substance aflatoxin within the nut and it's oil (p. 186, "Healing with Whole Foods," by Paul Pitchford).

If you like peanut oil, be careful to get cold-pressed rather than chemically extracted forms. Chemical extraction of oils introduces gasoline-like chemical solvents (hexane, heptane) p. 87, Fats That Heal, Fats that Kill (Udo Erasmus). These solvents have been implicated in cancer.

Now, some positive points: The oil is relatively stable and so can be cooked with (monounsaturated to polyunsaturated ratio 3:1, plus 18% saturated fat. It can be used to treat bursitis, although it does not remove the underlying condition which causes bursitis. It's rich in biotin and niacin, that help with fat metabolism and circulatory problems. (p. 186, "Healing with Whole Foods.")

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