Seed oils have become one of the most controversial topics in the modern nutrition world. Depending on who you follow, they're either toxic, inflammatory villains destroying metabolic health… or harmless, misunderstood ingredients wrongly blamed for everything.
In this solo episode, Erin Power brings clarity to the confusion by breaking down the ancestral perspective, the modern scientific evidence, and the real world nuance coaches need when discussing seed oils with clients. Instead of taking sides, Erin shows how to stay curious, evaluate claims with integrity, and guide clients without fear based messaging.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice around seed oils or wondered what to actually tell your clients, this episode brings the grounded, unbiased perspective you've been missing.
Episode Overview
0:00 Why Seed Oils Spark Confusion
0:34 Ancestral Health Perspective
3:19 Industrial Processing and Mismatch Ideas
7:51 What Research Actually Shows
11:15 Seed Oils vs Ultra Processed Foods
14:54 How Coaches Can Talk About This Without Dogma
Key Concepts in This Episode
Ancestral Viewpoint
Erin explains the concerns raised by ancestral and primal thinkers like Mark Sisson, including:
• Industrial processing and evolutionary mismatch
• High Omega 6 content and theoretical inflammation pathways
• How modern diets differ dramatically from traditional fat sources
Scientific Evidence
Modern research paints a more nuanced picture:
• Human studies do not show seed oils causing inflammation
• Linoleic acid is often correlated with lower inflammation
• Replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats can lower LDL
• The real issue tends to be Omega 3 deficiency, not Omega 6 excess
Ultra Processed Food Context
Seed oils appear most often in foods that are:
• Hyper palatable
• Shelf stable
• High in refined carbs, additives, and excess calories
This makes seed oils more of a marker for processed foods rather than the root cause of poor health.
How Coaches Should Approach the Topic
Erin models a grounded, non judgmental coaching stance:
• Avoid extremes and absolutist thinking
• Confront your own nutrition biases
• Guide clients toward big picture patterns
• Validate concerns while offering nuance
• Focus on what clients can realistically change
The goal isn't to demonize seed oils — it's to help clients make clearer, calmer, more informed decisions.
Connect with Erin
• Submit your questions: podcast@primalhealthcoach.com
• Website: primalhealthcoach.com
• Instagram: @primalhealthcoach
Ready to turn your passion for health into lasting impact?
Health Coach Radio is your backstage pass into the world of health and wellness coaching, hosted by Primal Health Coach Institute Coaching Director Erin Power and powered by the legacy of founder Mark Sisson. Each episode brings real stories, expert strategies, and practical insights to help you grow as a coach and make a meaningful impact.
Curious about what's possible for your own coaching journey
Visit primalhealthcoach.com to learn how Primal Health Coach Institute can help you transform lives — including your own — through the power of coaching and ancestral health.
