SNP40: Do Seed Oils Cause Inflammation & Chronic Disease?
Seed oils have recently become a hotly debated topic in nutrition, fueled by sensational claims on social media. In this episode, the central theme is examining whether seed oils are truly harmful or if they’ve been unjustly demonized. The discussion tackles prevalent claims – that seed oils drive inflammation, oxidation, and chronic disease – and compares them against the current scientific evidence. This is highly relevant to nutrition science and clinical practice today, as many patients and practitioners are encountering conflicting information about vegetable oils. By exploring the origins of seed oils, their biochemical effects, health outcome data, and the misinformation ecosystem, the episode aims to clarify how omega-6 rich seed oils fit into a healthy diet and what evidence-based guidelines say. Timestamps 01:00 Understanding terms: PUFA, Linoleic Acid, Omega-6 05:20 Do seed oils cause inflammation? 12:44 Omega-3 and omega-6 16:43 Inflammatory markers and linoleic acid 19:22 Oxidation and cooking oils 26:25 Refining processes and health concerns 30:32 Health outcomes and polyunsaturated fats 35:18 Evidence cited by anti-seed oil proponents 43:48 Conclusions Related Resources Join the Sigma email newsletter for free Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course Sigma Statement: Seed Oils on Trial: Is the Panic Justified? Related podcast episodes: 502: Sydney Diet-Heart Study – Is Linoleic Acid Causing Heart Disease? 504: Vegetable Oil vs. Saturated Fat – Analysis of the LA Veterans Study 505: Oslo Diet-Heart Study: Cholesterol-lowering Diets & Cardiovascular Events 329: Diet & Inflammation
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14:48
#562: How to Detoxify Yourself – Quack Asylum Special
In this Quack Asylum episode, Danny and Alan critically examine the claims surrounding “detoxification protocols” – specialized diets, cleanses, or supplements marketed to eliminate toxins from the body for better health. The central theme is whether these detox plans actually improve health outcomes or if they’re built on pseudoscience and fear. Many alternative health proponents argue that modern life exposes us to countless toxins that accumulate in our bodies, causing chronic diseases, and thus we must undergo periodic detox regimens to cleanse ourselves. There is genuine concern about environmental pollutants and chemicals – indeed, numerous substances in our food, water, and air can be harmful at sufficient doses​. Nutritional science also recognizes that certain nutrients (e.g. vitamins, antioxidants) play roles in the body’s natural detox pathways. However, there’s a large gap between acknowledging real toxic exposures versus endorsing commercial “detox” diets or products. Many people, including health professionals, encounter patients or clients interested in detox plans, so understanding the science (or lack thereof) behind these claims is important. Timestamps [03:20] Claim 1 – Mark Hyman [06:10] The purpose of today’s episode [08:22] Claim 2 – Chris Kresser [11:30] Detoxification Pathways in the Body [25:46] Glutathione, heavy metals and other nutrients [50:30] Do nutrients support detox pathways [55:20] Unhinged claims: Mold and mycotoxin toxicity [01:04:54] One more unhinged claim [01:09:10] Conclusions Related Resources Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium Join the Sigma email newsletter for free Go to episode page Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course
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1:20:51
#561: Emulsifiers in the Modern Diet: Health Risk or Harmless Additive?
#560: Neurodiversity & Nutrition: Choline, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Beyond – Emma Derbyshire, PhD
Nutrition is increasingly being considered as a modifiable factor that may influence neurodevelopmental outcomes. While severe deficiencies in certain nutrients are known to have dramatic effects, there is growing interest in the potential impact of more subtle insufficiencies — particularly during critical windows such as pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. In conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and autism spectrum condition (ASC), questions have been raised around whether specific nutrients may play a role in cognitive performance, attention, or learning. Could low choline intake be a contributing factor to altered brain function? Are individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions more likely to have different nutrient needs or metabolic profiles? And how might practical dietary strategies fit into a broader management approach? In this episode, Dr. Emma Derbyshire discusses the evidence on choline and other brain-related nutrients in the context of neurodiversity. Timestamps [02:02] Guest background [05:38] Choline: what it is and why it matters [07:26] Research challenges: measuring choline and study design issues [10:49] Maternal intake: choline’s role in fetal brain development [14:24] Choline & neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, ASC, dyslexia) [17:14] The choline gap: intake vs. requirements [23:05] Supplementation: adequacy vs. excess and safety concerns [25:05] Food sources: choline in the diet & intake planning [30:14] Nutrition as a tool in ADHD and dyslexia management [38:45] Other key nutrients (omega-3s, iron, iodine, magnesium, water) Related Resources Go to episode page Join the Sigma email newsletter for free Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course Book: Nutrition for ADHD and Dyslexia: Unlocking the Potential for Learning and Wellbeing Dr. Derbyshire’s website: https://www.nutritional-insight.co.uk/
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45:55
Do Lipids Increase During Weight Loss? (SNP39)
This is a segment from one of our Premium-exclusive AMA (ask me anything) episodes, where we answer questions submitted by Premium subscribers. To listen to the full episode, you’ll need to be a Premium subscriber and access the episode on the private Premium feed. Questions Answered in This Episode [02:00] Why does the Mediterranean diet emphasize monounsaturated fats over polyunsaturated fats when the latter seem more beneficial for heart health? [08:48] What dietary patterns or foods best support strength and recovery in premenopausal women, especially on a plant-based diet? [20:33] Are there specific foods or supplements that help regenerate or protect connective tissue in conditions like EDS? [28:39] What does the current evidence say about the keto diet during cancer treatment, and are there specific cancers where it might be beneficial? [43:31] What are the biochemical processes behind fat loss, including fat mobilization, transport, and any potential short-term cardiovascular risks? [59:48] What is the most effective system for organizing, structuring, and retrieving accumulated knowledge over time? [1:10:37] Do you agree with Dr. Tom Dayspring that a significant percentage of people are hyper-absorbers of dietary cholesterol, making food cholesterol impactful for them? [1:14:35] Is consuming 2g of protein per pound of body weight safe if calorie intake is high and well-balanced? Links Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium Go to sigmanutrition.com
Discussions about the science of nutrition, dietetics and health. The podcast that educates through nuanced conversations, exploring evidence and cultivating critical thinking. Hosted by Danny Lennon.
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