Podcast Summary

What's That Rash? (ABC News)

Episode: Why is everyone suddenly talking about seed oils?
Date: January 21, 2025

Overview

This episode explores the controversy around seed oils—oils derived from seeds such as sunflower, canola, and peanut—following recent high-profile claims (notably from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., described as Trump's health secretary pick) that these oils are harmful or even "poison". The hosts tackle listener Peter’s question about whether seed oils are truly unhealthy, what the evidence says, and how animal fats compare. The discussion delves into dietary myths, fat biochemistry, modern food processing, and the persistence of nutrition pseudoscience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Are Seed Oils? (02:12)

• Seed Oils Defined: Oils extracted from seeds—sunflower, flax, sesame, peanut, canola (rapeseed), rice bran. Olive oil is technically a fruit oil, not a seed oil.
  • Quote:

    "Oils which are pressed or manufactured from seeds. So sunflower seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, peanuts... some people would even say olive oil might even be considered a seed oil, but it's not really."
    — C (02:12)

2. Seed Oils in the Modern Diet: Old or New? (03:11)

• The idea that seed oils are "new" ingredients is a myth; seeds have been part of human diets for millennia, albeit at lower volumes than today.
• Romanticizing "paleo" eating ignores evidence: ancient humans ate seeds and processed carbs, and lives have always adapted to their environment.
  • Quote:

    "Humans have never lived in harmony with nature, we're constantly adapting to it. That's what evolution means. ... Seeds have been part of human diets for, well, hominid diets for millions of years."
    — B (03:18)

3. Types of Fats: Breaking Down the Science (04:47)

• Three Types: Saturated (bad for cholesterol), monounsaturated (olive oil, generally neutral), and polyunsaturated (includes omega-3 and omega-6, both essential).
• Omega-3 & Omega-6: The chemical difference is their molecular structure; both are essential and beneficial, contrary to popular belief.
  • Quote:

    "Omega 6 fatty acids have been wrongly labeled as bad for you. ... There's almost no evidence for that. When you look at the large studies, omega 6 fatty acids are pretty good for you."
    — C (08:18)

4. The "Omega Ratio" Myth (07:06)

• Worries about having "too much" omega-6 and not enough omega-3 (the ratio) have been debunked. Both are good, and the ratio concept is misleading.
  • Quote:

    "You're dividing the good, in other words, omega 6, by the good omega 3, and it's really spurious."
    — C (08:32)

5. Are Seed Oils Poison? What Does the Evidence Say? (09:00)

• Notable figures (e.g., RFK Jr.) and some writers claim seed oils are metabolically toxic or "poison", and that animal fats (like tallow, lard) are preferable. This is not supported by robust evidence.
• Large-scale nutritional studies associate seed oils (high in polyunsaturated fats) with lower heart disease and inflammation risk. Animal fats—high in saturated fats—are associated with increased risks.
  • Quote:

    "They're talking about the return to animal fats, which are high in saturated fats... associated, amongst other things, with increasing inflammation, increase in oxidative stress, whereas these fatty acids aren't."
    — C (09:00)

  • Quote:

    "Life expectancy in the paleolithic was about 28. So just be careful what you wish for here."
    — C (10:19)

6. Seed Oils in Processed Foods: Guilt by Association? (12:09)

• Some negative perceptions may be because seed oils are prevalent in ultra-processed foods (which are linked to health risks), but the oils themselves aren't the core issue.
  • Quote:

    "They're also heat stable... if you need heat to make those foods, they're going to be stable."
    — C (12:33)

  • Quote:

    "The people who are complaining about seed oils and saying they're poison are actually arguing from a metabolic point of view. They're saying they're bad wherever you get them from..."
    — C (12:46)

7. The Evidence: Seed Oils Are Not Harmful (13:53)

• Metabolic, epidemiological, and lab studies consistently show that seed oils have beneficial effects on cholesterol (especially lowering LDL), and may reduce risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
  • Quote:

    "I haven't really heard any strong evidence against seed oils, Norman, is there something I've missed here?"
    — B (13:42)
    "Not that I can find. ...all point in the same direction in terms of a beneficial effect on blood fats, on cholesterol, LDL, maybe even with some seed oils, on type 2 diabetes..."
    — C (13:53)

8. Practical Takeaways and Warnings (15:18)

• Seed oils are safe and even beneficial when used appropriately (as for frying—not reusing oil more than once).
• Key is moderation; fried foods and excessive calories are the real concern.
  • Quote:

    "It's the fried foods and the calories that you should be worried about far more. But you should not be reusing seed oils more than once."
    — C (15:18)

9. Fun Segment: Listener Mail About Bathing Habits (16:33)

• The episode ends with amusing listener stories about Tudor bathing customs and unconventional modern hygiene routines—serving as light-hearted banter and a break from the main topic.

Notable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• "Seeds have been part of human diets for, well, hominid diets for millions of years."
  — B (03:18)
• "Saturated fats are bad for you... by and large."
  — C (05:00)
• "Omega 6 fatty acids have been wrongly labeled as bad for you. They're not bad for you."
  — C (08:32)
• "Life expectancy in the paleolithic was about 28. So just be careful what you wish for here."
  — C (10:19)
• "Not that I can find. ...all point in the same direction in terms of a beneficial effect on blood fats."
  — C (13:53)
• "You should not be reusing seed oils more than once. In other words, once you've cooked with them at high heat, you have to get rid of them responsibly because they can change chemically..."
  — C (15:18)

Key Timestamps

• 02:12 – What are seed oils?
• 03:18 – Paleo fantasies and the history of seed consumption
• 04:47 – Different fats explained (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated)
• 07:06 – Omega-6 vs omega-3 and the "ratio" myth
• 09:00 – Anti-seed oil claims from public figures and the science
• 12:09 – Seed oils and processed foods: Is guilt by association warranted?
• 13:53 – What the research really says about seed oils and health
• 15:18 – Practical advice: using seed oils, what to worry about
• 16:33 – Listener stories about bathing and hygiene (light-hearted close)

Conclusion

Bottom Line:
Seed oils are not harmful or "poison" when used as part of a balanced diet. Claims to the contrary are not supported by scientific evidence. Both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential and beneficial. Moderation is key—watch the overall calorie and fried food intake, and don’t reuse oil multiple times. The negative reputation of seed oils likely stems more from their association with highly processed foods than from actual metabolic harm.

Practical Advice:
Confidently use seed oils for cooking but avoid overconsumption of fried or ultra-processed foods. For maximum benefit, use oils properly and don't reuse them repeatedly.

Memorable Moment:
"[Life expectancy in the paleolithic was about 28. So just be careful what you wish for here.]" — C (10:19)

For further questions or anecdotes, listeners are encouraged to write in to the show.