Dark Calories

1. Vegetable oils are toxic, inflammatory, and pervasive in our food supply

"Remember, vegetable oil's tendency to oxidize has implications for everyday aspects of life that medical science has ignored. The implications are vast and profound."

Ubiquitous toxins: Vegetable oils, or seed oils, are found in over 80% of processed foods. These oils are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are highly unstable and prone to oxidation. When heated or exposed to oxygen, PUFAs break down into toxic compounds that promote inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.

Historical context: Vegetable oils are a relatively recent addition to the human diet, introduced in the late 19th century as industrial byproducts. Unlike traditional fats like butter, lard, and olive oil, which humans have consumed for millennia, our bodies are not well-adapted to processing these industrial oils.

Health implications:

• Promote chronic inflammation
• Contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer
• Disrupt cellular function and energy production
• Damage mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells
• Impair brain function and mental health

2. High-PUFA body fat disrupts metabolism and drives insulin resistance

"The moment he saw how ketones helped his epileptic rats, a genius idea had popped into his head. Why not try a keto diet for cancer?"

Metabolic disruption: Consuming high amounts of vegetable oils leads to the accumulation of PUFA-rich body fat. This inflammatory fat fails to provide efficient energy to our cells, forcing them to rely more heavily on glucose for fuel.

Insulin resistance pathway:

1. High-PUFA body fat fails to energize cells properly
2. Cells increase their demand for glucose
3. Blood sugar levels become unstable
4. The body adapts by raising baseline blood sugar and insulin levels
5. Insulin resistance develops, leading to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes

Consequences: This metabolic shift towards sugar dependency creates a vicious cycle of energy crashes, cravings, and overeating. It also promotes weight gain, chronic disease, and accelerated aging.

3. Cholesterol is essential for health, not a dangerous substance

"Cholesterol is the body's equivalent of duct tape. It's one of the most versatile nutrients our cells have and they use it for solving all sorts of problems."

Vital nutrient: Cholesterol is crucial for numerous bodily functions, including:

• Cell membrane structure and function
• Hormone production (including sex hormones and cortisol)
• Vitamin D synthesis
• Brain health and cognitive function
• Antioxidant protection

Misunderstood molecule: The fear of cholesterol stems from a flawed understanding of its role in heart disease. In reality, cholesterol is part of the body's repair system, not the cause of arterial damage.

Cholesterol paradox: Low cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of:

• Cancer
• Infections
• Mental health disorders
• Cognitive decline
• Overall mortality

4. The cholesterol theory of heart disease lacks scientific foundation

"If having higher cholesterol really did cause heart attacks, then people hospitalized for a heart attack would have had high cholesterol levels before their attack."

Flawed hypothesis: The idea that high cholesterol causes heart disease is based on weak correlations and manipulated data, primarily from the work of Ancel Keys in the 1950s and 1960s.

Suppressed evidence:

• The Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-1973) showed that lowering cholesterol with vegetable oils increased mortality
• Data linking smoking to heart disease was downplayed to maintain focus on the cholesterol theory

Alternative explanations:

• Oxidative stress and inflammation are more likely culprits in heart disease
• Oxidized LDL, not total cholesterol, is associated with arterial plaque formation
• Smoking, sugar consumption, and vegetable oil intake correlate more strongly with heart disease rates

5. Statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs may do more harm than good

"Statins lower cholesterol quite indirectly, by blocking one of the enzymes involved in building cholesterol molecules at a point much earlier in the process than the now defunct triparanol."

Mechanism of action: Statins inhibit the production of mevalonate, a precursor to cholesterol and other essential molecules like CoQ10, which is crucial for cellular energy production.

Side effects:

• Muscle pain and weakness
• Cognitive impairment and memory loss
• Increased risk of diabetes
• Liver damage
• Mood changes and irritability

Questionable benefits:

• Absolute risk reduction for heart attacks is minimal (often less than 1%)
• No proven increase in overall life expectancy
• Benefits are often overstated using relative risk reduction statistics

6. The American Heart Association's dietary advice is compromised by conflicts of interest

"The AHA had just partnered up with vegetable oil."

Historical context: In 1948, the American Heart Association (AHA) received a large donation from Procter & Gamble, a major producer of vegetable oils. This marked the beginning of the AHA's promotion of vegetable oils as "heart-healthy."

Ongoing conflicts:

• The AHA continues to receive funding from industries that benefit from its dietary recommendations
• Many AHA-affiliated researchers have financial ties to food and pharmaceutical companies

Consequences:

• Perpetuation of the cholesterol theory despite contradictory evidence
• Continued promotion of vegetable oils and low-fat diets
• Resistance to updating dietary guidelines based on new research

7. A diet rich in traditional fats and low in seed oils can reverse chronic diseases

"If you want to protect yourself from cancer starting today, there is a clear path forward: keep your mitochondria as healthy as possible."

Ancestral wisdom: Traditional diets around the world emphasize nutrient-dense animal foods and natural fats, which support optimal health and longevity.

Four Pillars of a Human Diet:

1. Eat fresh, unprocessed foods
2. Include slow-cooked bone and joint tissues (e.g., bone broth)
3. Consume fermented and sprouted foods
4. Eat nose-to-tail, utilizing all parts of animals

Potential benefits:

• Improved insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control
• Reduced inflammation and oxidative stress
• Enhanced mitochondrial function
• Better brain health and cognitive performance
• Potential cancer prevention and treatment support

8. Metabolic flexibility is key to optimal health and energy levels

"When we are metabolically healthy, we can tolerate a wider range of macros."

Definition: Metabolic flexibility is the ability to efficiently switch between burning fat and carbohydrates for fuel, depending on availability and energy demands.

Importance:

• Stable energy levels throughout the day
• Improved body composition and weight management
• Enhanced athletic performance and recovery
• Reduced risk of chronic diseases

Achieving metabolic flexibility:

• Eliminate seed oils from the diet
• Incorporate healthy fats (saturated and monounsaturated)
• Consume adequate protein from whole food sources
• Include slow-digesting carbohydrates as needed
• Practice intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating

9. Cutting seed oils can improve mental health and cognitive function

"Low brain energy is known to impair our self-control and cognitive functions, and can even promote violence and mental illness."

Brain-body connection: The same metabolic dysfunction caused by seed oils that affects our physical health also impacts our mental well-being.

Potential improvements:

• Enhanced mood stability
• Reduced anxiety and depression
• Better focus and concentration
• Improved memory and learning
• Increased willpower and self-control

Emerging research: The field of metabolic psychiatry is exploring how dietary interventions, particularly ketogenic diets and seed oil elimination, can support mental health treatment.

10. Practical strategies for eliminating seed oils from your diet

"Avoid anything deep fried."

Read labels: Check ingredient lists for the "Hateful Eight" seed oils: corn, canola, cottonseed, soy, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, and rice bran oil.

Cook at home: Use healthy cooking fats like butter, ghee, coconut oil, olive oil, and animal fats.

Dining out tips:

• Choose grilled, baked, or steamed options over fried foods
• Ask for dishes to be cooked in butter instead of vegetable oil
• Opt for simple, whole food-based meals

Two-Week Challenge: Commit to eliminating seed oils for two weeks to experience the benefits firsthand. Focus on:

• Whole, unprocessed foods
• Quality protein sources
• Healthy fats
• Slow-digesting carbohydrates

By making these changes, you can significantly improve your health, energy levels, and overall well-being while reducing your risk of chronic diseases.

Last updated: November 20, 2024