Controversial Thoughts: What I think about mushrooms, olive oil, and avocado oil

PS

Paul Saladino15m · 2021-07-16

Claims Made

36

Claims Supported

10

Support Rate

28%

Support rate

10 of 36 claims supported

10 supported26 partial / not

Claims from this content

33

Well SupportedStearic acid ingestion increases circulating C18 triglycerides and activates mitochondrial beta-oxidation.Well SupportedPork fat from pigs fed corn and soy can contain 10-15% or more linoleic acid, compared to wild pigs with around 4-5%.Well SupportedOdd-chain fatty acids found in dairy fats are consistently and strongly associated with improved health outcomes in humans.Well SupportedHumans should optimize stearic acid and minimize linoleic acid in their diet, potentially by avoiding seed oils.Partially Supported

Discussion

Native comments, Twitter mentions, and Reddit threads about this content — surfaced together so the conversation isn't fragmented across platforms.

M

Share your read of this content…

Posting publicly as you · linked to your social profiles

Sort by:

AV

A. Volkovreader

4h

Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

NP

N. Park

2d

Would love a "what would change this verdict" RSS feed. Sign me up if it exists.

Pigs' fat composition, specifically linoleic acid content, is directly influenced by their diet.

Not SupportedConsuming multiple tablespoons daily of reishi, chaga, and lion's mane mushrooms triggered a severe eczema flare.

Partially SupportedBeef kidney fat (suet) contains approximately 33% stearic acid, while beef intramuscular fat contains about 23% stearic acid.

Not SupportedOlive oil has a high proportion of linoleic acid (10-14%), can become rancid, and is often adulterated with other oils.

Not SupportedApproximately 70% of olive oil is adulterated with seed oils due to industry corruption, making it less preferable than seed oils.

Not SupportedFungi are generally regarded as medium to highly toxic and should typically be avoided.

Partially SupportedOlive oil has a higher proportion of linoleic acid (10-14%) than generally desired, contributing to unsaturation and potential rancidity.

Partially SupportedAnimal fats like tallow are higher in stearic acid and contain odd-chain fatty acids which are beneficial for humans.

Partially SupportedAnimal fats are more stable, nutrient-dense, and preferable to olive oil and avocado oil.

Not SupportedThe majority of commercial avocado oils sold in the United States are oxidized before their expiration date.

Not SupportedChaga mushroom consumption can lead to oxalate nephropathy and kidney damage.

Not SupportedThe speaker avoids mushrooms due to a past severe eczema flare, believing they may contain defense chemicals and offer little benefit.

Partially SupportedApproximately 20-30% of plants are toxic and can cause immediate adverse reactions.

Limited ResearchPlant compounds like curcumin may have anti-inflammatory effects but can also have negative effects elsewhere in the body, and their benefit for healthy individuals eating meat and organs is questionable.

Partially SupportedFruit and honey are considered the most valuable foods for humans, followed by vegetables and seeds, with fungi being lowest.

Limited ResearchFungi are rooted in the ground and likely contain defense chemicals that are not uniquely beneficial or physiologically significant for humans, and may be harmful.

Not SupportedMushrooms contain defense chemicals, and their benefits may not outweigh the risks for those eating a diet of meat, organs, animal fat, and less toxic plant foods.

Partially SupportedA very small fraction of animals are poisonous, while the majority of animals and their parts are edible and not toxic.

Partially SupportedFungi have defense mechanisms such as chitin in their cell walls, which is difficult to digest.

Partially SupportedOlive oil and avocado oil are generally acceptable for consumption.

Not SupportedMushrooms are not definitively beneficial for health.

Partially SupportedStearic acid, found primarily in animal fat, activates mitochondria and turns on fat burning.

Not SupportedTurmeric has potential downsides including affecting potassium channels, thyroid oxygen redox, the p53 gene, and showing toxicity in cell cultures.

Partially SupportedAvocado oil and olive oil are significantly higher in linoleic acid (10-14%) compared to ruminant animal fat (approx. 2%).

Limited ResearchEvolutionarily inconsistent levels of linoleic acid may cause metabolic harm in humans.

Not SupportedMushroom teas are not a superior alternative to coffee, and there is no strong evidence that mushrooms contain compounds uniquely beneficial for healthy humans already consuming meat, organs, and least toxic plant foods.

Partially SupportedBoiling mushrooms can denature chitin, making them easier to digest.

Partially SupportedTallow is preferred over coconut oil.

Partially SupportedCoconut oil is a stable, nearly entirely saturated fat with 2% linoleic acid, making it a good option.