December 19, 2024 Wiggy Saunders

Is Tallow Great For You Or What?

We’ve been taught to believe fat is bad for you.

I’ve been saying for close to a decade it’s not. Still, it’s a hard concept to grasp if you’ve been taught to believe fat is terrible.

And I get it.

When you see something like tallow, a rendered form of beef or mutton suet, primarily made up of triglycerides, sitting there looking like a block of goop, it's natural to think…there’s no way that’s good to ingest.

The media did a great job of getting people to believe that the exact same fat would get stuck in your arteries and lead to your early demise.

Yet, tallow isn’t as bad as people believe. And as you’ll see in this article…it’s one of the better fats you could consume in your diet.

I’d even argue if our society decided it was done with many of the vegetable oils we use and switched to tallow, in many instances, we’d all be a lot healthier than we currently are. I’ll have to modify that statement in my conclusion as there are some other things we need to consider. Still, the fact remains: tallow is a superior fat for eating and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle.

7 Benefits Tallow Provides

As you’ve undoubtedly noticed, I like to direct my patients to use animal-based products for fat and protein consumption.

It’s almost as if we were created to assimilate animal-based products for better health.

Humans have enjoyed a long history of tallow consumption, and the recent departure from using it to make our food isn’t just an anomaly. I’d argue it’s negatively affected our health.

Let me give you insight into how a return to tallow could help boost human health!

1 - Rich in Healthy Fats:

Again, you likely are convinced things like saturated fats and triglycerides are inherently harmful…but they’re not. Your body needs them to carry out vital tasks. Tallow is predominantly composed of stable saturated fats, which serve as a key energy source and are essential for hormone production and cellular health.

This stability contrasts sharply with many seed oils, such as soybean and corn, high in polyunsaturated fats. These fats are prone to oxidation, particularly during cooking, leading to free radicals that can contribute to inflammation and chronic diseases.

I’m against inflammation caused by dietary fats, which is why eating foods cooked in tallow is better than seed oils.

2 - Source of Fat-Soluble Vitamins:

When I started writing blog posts more than 10 years ago, I focused intently on how our diet has been depleted of healthy vitamins. That’s because we’ve shifted consumption of dietary fats from tallow (and the like) to plant-based and processed seed oils.

Many seed oils lack these natural vitamins due to extensive processing. They often require fortification with synthetic vitamins, which may not be absorbed as efficiently by the body as those naturally found in tallow, which is rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K-2, which are crucial for maintaining healthy vision, skin, bones, and immune function.

3. It Offers Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA):

One of the best things about tallow is it contains CLA, a beneficial fatty acid linked to reduced body fat and enhanced immune function.

Most seed oils do not offer CLA and are often high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can exacerbate inflammation if consumed in excess. In essence, tallow's natural CLA content supports metabolic health in ways seed oils cannot.

4. Superior Omega-3 and Omega-6 Balance:

For those of you who’ve been following my articles for years now, you’ve likely noticed a theme around my recommendation for fat consumption.

If you’re going to get omega fatty acids in your diet, you need to ensure your omega-3 and omega-6 intake is balanced.

While both are beneficial, too much omega-6 can lead to inflammation.

Tallow features a more balanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, promoting reduced inflammation and supporting cardiovascular health.

Seed oils, like those from soy and corn, are typically high in omega-6 and low in omega-3, potentially leading to an imbalance that is associated with increased inflammation and health risks.

5. Better To Cook With:

One of the problems with seed oils is that when they’re cooked at high temperatures, they oxidize, and oxidization causes issues when consumed.

Fortunately, tallow has a high smoke point of 400°F, which makes it ideal for high-heat cooking methods such as frying and roasting, preserving its nutrients without forming harmful compounds.

Many refined seed oils have lower smoke points, and their degradation at high temperatures can result in unhealthy trans fats and free radicals, affecting the food's safety and flavor.

6. Great For Skin Care:

While most people think I’m primarily concerned with what goes into your body, the truth is there are a lot of topical products my patients use that are problematic.

This is true when it comes to cosmetics.

Many lotions and makeups that use seed oils often need additional processing or ingredients to achieve similar effects, and some, like sunflower oil, might contribute to clogged pores or irritation, unlike the more naturally nourishing tallow.

Tallow can be used as a natural skin moisturizer due to its compatibility with the oils naturally produced by human skin, leading to improved hydration and barrier function.

7 - It’s Better For the Environment:

Here’s the thing. Seed oils can be made without totally degrading the environment.

However, doing it on a massive scale that means those oils are cheap and readily available usually means industrialized operations that throw off tons of pollution and other nasty by-products.

Tallow is an environmentally friendly choice because we’re using animal fat byproducts that might otherwise go to waste.

This is more sustainable compared to the production of many seed oils, which often involve intensive agricultural practices like deforestation and heavy pesticide use.

Using tallow supports a circular economy, reduces waste, and can be integrated with sustainable grazing practices, benefiting ecosystems and soil health, unlike the monoculture often associated with seed oil crops.

Tallow Notes

Here’s the thing about tallow.

If you used the regular old tallow you picked up at Walmart, it would be better than almost any other seed oil you could use.

Still, there are variations in tallow.

Here’s what I’d suggest:

Choose tallow from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals for higher nutrient content and more sustainable sourcing.
Opt for pure tallow without additives or preservatives to ensure a natural product.
Select traditionally rendered tallow, which preserves nutritional benefits better than industrial methods.
Look for creamy white or pale yellow tallow, indicating freshness and proper rendering.
Glass jars are preferred to prevent chemical leaching and ensure airtight packaging to maintain quality.
Research brands for positive reviews and transparency about sourcing and production.
Ensure the tallow suits your needs, whether for cooking or skincare applications.