DarkHorse Podcast Seeds of Doubt: Nina Teicholz, PhD on DarkHorse
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Oct 12, 2025 
Nina Teicholz, a journalist and nutrition researcher with a PhD in nutrition science, unpacks the controversy surrounding seed oils and dietary guidelines. She shares her journey into the world of trans fats and the industrialization of seed oils, revealing how corporate interests shaped health recommendations. Teicholz discusses harmful oxidation in seed oils, the suppression of research supporting low-carb diets, and the challenges of nutrition science due to industry funding. Her insights encourage a reevaluation of our dietary choices for better health.
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Crisco's Push Into American Kitchens
- Nina visited a hydrogenation plant and described Crisco's marketing to replace lard in American kitchens.
- Crisco and margarine were promoted as modern, clean, and desirable alternatives to traditional animal fats.
Diet–Heart Hypothesis Takeoff
- Ancel Keys and the American Heart Association pushed the diet–heart hypothesis linking saturated fat to heart disease in 1961.
- That single authoritative endorsement seeded decades of low-fat dietary policy and industry shifts to seed oils.
Industry Funding Shaped Health Messaging
- Procter & Gamble heavily funded the American Heart Association and promoted seed oils as "heart healthy."
- Corporate funding shaped public health messaging that aligned with manufacturers' profits.
