
The Hidden Seed Oil Study that was Supposed to Change Everything
Physionic
Jun 18, 2025
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Adjust for physical activity in seed oil analysis to improve survival predictions
The newer analysis that found negative effects from seed oils failed to adjust for physical activity, which the original study identified as highly predictive of survival.
Clarify misconceptions about buried study data retrieval
The reanalysis team did not find the 'buried' study data in a basement; they simply requested it from one of the original authors who provided it.
Highlight low trans fat content in Miracle brand margarine to challenge study findings
A key argument against the study's negative findings is that the Miracle brand soft margarine used had very little, if any, trans fats compared to hard margarines.
Question margarine claims: investigate trans fat content
Contrary to claims, nutrition researchers at the time estimated that Miracle brand margarine likely contained a significant amount of trans fats.
Avoid seed oils to reduce death risk by 62%
The Sydney Diet Heart Study concluded that replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fats from seed oils increased the risk of death by 62%.
Clarify dietary impacts by eliminating margarine in studies
The study's results were muddied because both the seed oil group and the control group were allowed to consume margarine, making the dietary differences smaller than intended.
Recognize non-dietary factors as key mortality predictors
The original study found that factors like medication use, diabetes, and even divorce were more predictive of mortality than the dietary changes.
Critique Sydney Heart trial for flawed conclusions on seed oils
The Sydney Heart trial was confounded by multiple factors and is not a reliable basis to either accept or refute the health effects of seed oils.
More from
Physionic
You also might be interested in
Ben Greenfield Finally Discovers The Healthiest, Tastiest Beef & Steaks (& Learns How To Cook Them Perfectly) with Dr. Phil Bass.
Superfoods Of The Sea, Why "Wild-Caught" Fish Are DIRTY, Fish Oil vs. Fish & More With Seatopia's James Arthur Smith
Bonus: Why Chronic Disease Is Exploding (Full Conversation with Daniel Schmachtenberger)
Gut Health: The Truth You’ve Never Been Told
The Chemistry of Food & Taste | Dr. Harold McGee