Prompt Cast
The Controversy Surrounding Seed Oils: Are They Really Bad for You?
TLDR Eating seed oils, such as canola oil and soybean oil, may lead to inflammation and increase the risk of certain diseases, challenging the belief that saturated fats are solely responsible for health issues. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of seed oils on our health.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Eating seed oils, such as canola oil and soybean oil, can lead to inflammation and increase the risk of various diseases, according to Dr. Kate Shanahan.
04:31
Seed oils are being pitted against saturated fat to determine which is healthier, challenging the long-held belief that saturated fats are bad for us.
09:42
Eating butter does not appear to be strongly linked to an increased risk of heart disease or premature death, and may even lower the risk of diabetes.
14:09
Cholesterol is important for our cells and hormone production, but too much LDL cholesterol can lead to a buildup of plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease.
18:55
Saturated fat is not a major player in heart disease, as it is not solely responsible for increasing LDL cholesterol levels and there are different sizes of bad cholesterol particles, with smaller ones being more dangerous; additionally, foods with saturated fat also contain other nutrients that may reduce the risk of heart disease.
23:39
Consumption of seed oils, such as canola oil and corn oil, has increased in the US since the 1960s, and Dr. Kate Shanahan believes that this increase is linked to the rise in certain diseases like obesity, cancer, and inflammatory conditions, and that eliminating seed oils from the diet can improve these conditions.
28:12
Dr. Kate Shanahan believes that burning seed oils for fuel in our bodies releases free radicals and dangerous particles that can lead to inflammation, but a study conducted by Dr. David Igman found virtually no evidence that adding seed oils to the diet increases inflammatory markers.
32:45
Studies have found that having more polyunsaturated fats from seed oils in your body does not seem to be harmful and may even be associated with lower risk of dying.
37:29
Studies have found that the fats in seed oils are generally healthier, but it's important to note that a diet full of junk food containing seed oils is still not good for you.
42:03
This episode was produced by Wendy Zuckerman and her team, and they express their gratitude to the researchers they spoke to throughout the episode.
