Are Seed Oils the Villain?

The nutrition world is grappling with a big question: Are seed oils to blame for chronic disease? Seed oils like soybean, corn, and sunflower oil are everywhere. And yes, they’re high in omega-6 fats. But that doesn't make them inherently harmful. In fact, when consumed in whole food contexts and balanced with omega-3s, they can be part of a healthy diet.

Dr. Jeff Bland and Dr. Jonny Bowden — two renowned nutrition experts — sat down together at a recent conference to share their perspectives about this seed oil debate, and their take on it might surprise you.

The core issue isn’t the seed oils themselves — it's the highly processed diet they’re part of. Studies in animals have shown potential risks, but human trials often show the opposite: neutral or even positive effects from linoleic acid-rich oils. This controversy is not about fear, nor should it be about attaching a negative reputation to a whole class of nutrients. It’s about finding the full story — and embracing food as medicine in a way that’s real, whole, and grounded in science.

You can watch this short explainer clip now on YouTube. Here’s the LINK.

So what should we be paying attention to?

🌱 The ultra-processed food matrix. Seed oils appear most often in industrially modified, nutrient-poor foods. LEARN MORE ABOUT ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS

🧬 Microbiome and immune signaling. New research is connecting dietary fats to immune function — and we’re only scratching the surface. Dr. Austin Perlmutter will presenting a free live webinar on 6/26/2025 that will focus on the gut microbiome and how it connects to immune health and aging. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn more. To register, click HERE. A video replay will be sent by email if you cannot attend the livestream.

🌾 Regenerative agriculture. It’s more than sustainability — it’s a path to nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory food. The Nutrient Density Alliance is a nonprofit organization with excellent educational resources you can explore online. Visit their website HERE.

🌻 The bigger picture. When it comes to seed oils, this is a food system story — not just a fat story.

Resources

Dr. Bland and Dr. Bowden chatted about more than seed oils. See the full playlist HERE.

Eco-Dietitian Mary Purdy, RDN, is the Managing Director of the Nutrient Density Alliance and she’s an expert on microbiome health. Here’s a podcast interview you might like.

Our friends at The Human Longevity Project are hosting free viewing of their 9-episode docuseries starting June 30th. You can register HERE to participate.

Follow these Instagram accounts to plug into all of the latest news and science:

@drjeffreybland I @jonnybowden I @bigboldhealth