Global food systems have been increasingly subjected to financial speculation, leading to adverse consequences for growers, consumers, and public health. But what are the systemic vulnerabilities that impact food security, equitable access to nutritious food, and the broader socio-political frameworks influencing these outcomes?

Understanding the financial mechanisms shaping food production and distribution is highly relevant for health professionals, policy makers, and researchers concerned with nutrition, equity, and global health systems.

This episode urges a critical re-evaluation of current food policies and invites consideration of more ethical, resilient approaches to safeguarding food systems.

Professor Martin Caraher is Emeritus Professor of Food and Health Policy at the Centre for Food Policy, City St. Georges, University of London. His research encompasses food poverty, food security, the role of food aid, and the broader implications of food systems on public health.

• [01:12] Financialization of food: an overview
• [05:27] Speculation and its impact on food prices
• [13:10] Global food security and policy responses
• [17:20] Corporate concentration in food systems
• [34:03] Potential solutions and future directions

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• Prof. Caraher’s Recommended Reading List
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• Episode #344: Prof. Martin Caraher – Food Poverty & Food Aid Provision
• X: @MartinCaraher and @NutritionDanny

Seed oils have recently become a hotly debated topic in nutrition, fueled by sensational claims on social media. In this episode, the central theme is examining whether seed oils are truly harmful or if they’ve been unjustly demonized.

The discussion tackles prevalent claims – that seed oils drive inflammation, oxidation, and chronic disease – and compares them against the current scientific evidence.

This is highly relevant to nutrition science and clinical practice today, as many patients and practitioners are encountering conflicting information about vegetable oils.

By exploring the origins of seed oils, their biochemical effects, health outcome data, and the misinformation ecosystem, the episode aims to clarify how omega-6 rich seed oils fit into a healthy diet and what evidence-based guidelines say.

• 01:00 Understanding terms: PUFA, Linoleic Acid, Omega-6
• 05:20 Do seed oils cause inflammation?
• 12:44 Omega-3 and omega-6
• 16:43 Inflammatory markers and linoleic acid
• 19:22 Oxidation and cooking oils
• 26:25 Refining processes and health concerns
• 30:32 Health outcomes and polyunsaturated fats
• 35:18 Evidence cited by anti-seed oil proponents
• 43:48 Conclusions

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• Sigma Statement: Seed Oils on Trial: Is the Panic Justified?
• Related podcast episodes:
  • 502: Sydney Diet-Heart Study – Is Linoleic Acid Causing Heart Disease?
  • 504: Vegetable Oil vs. Saturated Fat – Analysis of the LA Veterans Study
  • 505: Oslo Diet-Heart Study: Cholesterol-lowering Diets & Cardiovascular Events
  • 329: Diet & Inflammation

In this Quack Asylum episode, Danny and Alan critically examine the claims surrounding “detoxification protocols” – specialized diets, cleanses, or supplements marketed to eliminate toxins from the body for better health.

The central theme is whether these detox plans actually improve health outcomes or if they’re built on pseudoscience and fear.

Many alternative health proponents argue that modern life exposes us to countless toxins that accumulate in our bodies, causing chronic diseases, and thus we must undergo periodic detox regimens to cleanse ourselves.

There is genuine concern about environmental pollutants and chemicals – indeed, numerous substances in our food, water, and air can be harmful at sufficient doses​. Nutritional science also recognizes that certain nutrients (e.g. vitamins, antioxidants) play roles in the body’s natural detox pathways. However, there’s a large gap between acknowledging real toxic exposures versus endorsing commercial “detox” diets or products.

Many people, including health professionals, encounter patients or clients interested in detox plans, so understanding the science (or lack thereof) behind these claims is important.

• [03:20] Claim 1 – Mark Hyman
• [06:10] The purpose of today’s episode
• [08:22] Claim 2 – Chris Kresser
• [11:30] Detoxification Pathways in the Body
• [25:46] Glutathione, heavy metals and other nutrients
• [50:30] Do nutrients support detox pathways
• [55:20] Unhinged claims: Mold and mycotoxin toxicity
• [01:04:54] One more unhinged claim
• [01:09:10] Conclusions

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