This is exploratory investigation of a new-ish hypothesis, it is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the field or even a a full investigation of the hypothesis.

I've always been skeptical of the seed-oil theory of obesity. Perhaps this is bad rationality on my part, but I've tended to retreat to the sniff test on issues as charged and confusing as diet. My response to the general seed-oil theory was basically "Really? Seeds and nuts? The things you just find growing on plants, and that our ancestors surely ate loads of?"

But a twitter thread recently made me take another look at it, and since I have a lot of chemistry experience I thought I'd take a look.

The PUFA Breakdown Theory

It goes like this:

PUFAs from nuts and seeds are fine. Deep-frying using PUFAs causes them to break down in a way other fatty acids [...]

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Outline:

(00:46) The PUFA Breakdown Theory

(03:29) Isomerization

(07:42) Hydroperoxides

(10:26) Final Thoughts

The original text contained 5 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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First published:

Source:

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.