In this brief newsletter, I review 6 Critical Points about Seed Oils, among the most controversial topics of the day. Get ready for some Provocatively Moderate Positions.
Thanks for Clarifying, amazing to know that sesame oil can increase ketone levels! Other than seed oils being rapidly oxidised, how do they actually cause inflammation-in the blood vessels?
If there is a true omega-6/3 imbalance in the body, the signaling molecules that result can promote inflammation. Here's a cool paper, also linked in newsletter: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-019-0521-4.pdf
As I recall, many studies reveal that a significant percentage of olive and avocado oils are counterfeit. This is likely true for other seed oils as well, especially the more expensive ones. No matter what you think you’re buying, it’s often just rancid soybean oil. I think I’ll stick with butter.
Some suggestions (i) look for dark glass or metal bottle, not clear and not plastic (ii) look for 'pressed on' date or something similar to indicate when the olives were pressed, ideally within last 18 months (iii) will be expensive-ish... if it's cheap (e.g. $10 for 500mL), it's not real (iv) can taste test... take a 1 Tbsp shot... if should burn in the back of your throat.
I think that when people are talking about "seed oils being bad", they mainly refer to seed oil from fast food frying that are heated at super high temps and that have been extracted and refined in a way that may cause disease in humans.
It is true that there is a big confusion on the term "seed oils" because a cold pressed olive oil or coconut oil isn't the same as refined sunflower or canola oil.
Quality of seed, extraction methods, uses and frequency of ingestion matters imo.
I think that if you have the time, you should dig more into the subject because I think this article is a bit incomplete and you would need to dig into the fabrication process of the oil and then different uses (frying and number of uses, low heat cooking - smoking point - salad dressing etc) which can have multiple outcomes depending on the health of the person eating it and the frequency/quantities.
By the way have you read/heard about the book "Dark Calories" by Dr. Catherine Shanahan? I haven't read it yet but it's on my list since I'm really interested in the subject.
I also wonder if there's a genetic or microbiome compound to how well you can handle those oils and how it affects you. Because in my town there was a 105 year old lady who was claiming that mcdonalds and coke was her favorite food (an article of her came up in the news because McDonalds offered her a free pass to their restaurant) yet she wasnt obese nor had mental issues like alzheimer and lived pretty old (well she died a year after that article). Though I don't know the frequency she went there nor if she started going to mcdonalds recently or 30 years ago. I always wondered if she would have lived longer had she gone on a clean keto or low carb diet!
Hope to see and read more from you on that subject, thank you!
Thanks for Clarifying, amazing to know that sesame oil can increase ketone levels! Other than seed oils being rapidly oxidised, how do they actually cause inflammation-in the blood vessels?
If there is a true omega-6/3 imbalance in the body, the signaling molecules that result can promote inflammation. Here's a cool paper, also linked in newsletter: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-019-0521-4.pdf
this is the way of thinking I love and I share every point deeply!
context, matrix, metabolic health, whole foods
Call me Keto Neo ;)
You are an amazing fabulous genius 🥹😜
Too kind :)
Too real! Thank you ! Open minded ever and forever to human being and becoming
Until further notice, I have adopted this Substack article as my perspective on the seed oil issue.
Your three practices at the end are great ways to combine the nutritious with the delicious.
Thanks. Happy to hear it :).
As I recall, many studies reveal that a significant percentage of olive and avocado oils are counterfeit. This is likely true for other seed oils as well, especially the more expensive ones. No matter what you think you’re buying, it’s often just rancid soybean oil. I think I’ll stick with butter.
I've heard that about olive oils. I wish there were an easy way to tell.
I doubt that ghee and coconut oil are faked using soybean, canola, or other seedy seed oils.
Some suggestions (i) look for dark glass or metal bottle, not clear and not plastic (ii) look for 'pressed on' date or something similar to indicate when the olives were pressed, ideally within last 18 months (iii) will be expensive-ish... if it's cheap (e.g. $10 for 500mL), it's not real (iv) can taste test... take a 1 Tbsp shot... if should burn in the back of your throat.
Check out this article "The Shocking Truth about Italian Olive Oil and the Mafia"
https://bangersandballs.co/debunking-myths/olive-oil-and-the-mafia/
Yeah it would be hard to fake the taste and color of coconut and ghee
Also it's very easy to make your own butter / ghee with a stand mixer. 🙂
I learned to make butter in kindergarten. Ah, the good old days.
I won't ask the year... but that's fun. We just got cookies before story time before nap time before snack time (of more cookies)
I think that when people are talking about "seed oils being bad", they mainly refer to seed oil from fast food frying that are heated at super high temps and that have been extracted and refined in a way that may cause disease in humans.
It is true that there is a big confusion on the term "seed oils" because a cold pressed olive oil or coconut oil isn't the same as refined sunflower or canola oil.
Quality of seed, extraction methods, uses and frequency of ingestion matters imo.
I think that if you have the time, you should dig more into the subject because I think this article is a bit incomplete and you would need to dig into the fabrication process of the oil and then different uses (frying and number of uses, low heat cooking - smoking point - salad dressing etc) which can have multiple outcomes depending on the health of the person eating it and the frequency/quantities.
By the way have you read/heard about the book "Dark Calories" by Dr. Catherine Shanahan? I haven't read it yet but it's on my list since I'm really interested in the subject.
I also wonder if there's a genetic or microbiome compound to how well you can handle those oils and how it affects you. Because in my town there was a 105 year old lady who was claiming that mcdonalds and coke was her favorite food (an article of her came up in the news because McDonalds offered her a free pass to their restaurant) yet she wasnt obese nor had mental issues like alzheimer and lived pretty old (well she died a year after that article). Though I don't know the frequency she went there nor if she started going to mcdonalds recently or 30 years ago. I always wondered if she would have lived longer had she gone on a clean keto or low carb diet!
Hope to see and read more from you on that subject, thank you!
Thanks for another thoughtful and balanced review of this issue. Very helpful!
Very welcome Jane :)
Nice work, Nick, as always. I posted some thoughts here:
"Is It Reasonable To Think Seed Oils Cause Obesity?"
https://tuckergoodrich.substack.com/p/is-it-reasonable-to-think-seed-oils
Very helpful. Also, typo alert: under Cell Inflammation image: "So, I order to manipulate 6/3 ratio,"
Thanks. Corrected. Managing your own social media as a mild dyslexic comes with its risks ;)
I post all news, science, blogs, and so on at r/StopEatingSeedOils - you can click on the flair to sort it by these. https://www.reddit.com/r/StopEatingSeedOils/?f=flair_name%3A%22Peer%20Reviewed%20Science%20%F0%9F%A7%AB%20%22
Good to have you weigh in on the topic, it's complex and confusing with perhaps a false consensus.
May I ask what lab assessed your Omega-6/3 ratio?
Was called BrainSpan health, in collaboration with a clinic called transform that was run by a friend.
TY
YW