Do seed oils block cholesterol to vitamin D? Vitamin D as sunscreen Sunburn resistance of people who don’t eat seed oils
Summary by Google's LLM
In this video clip from Low Carb Down Under, Dr. Paul Mason presents a theory linking the consumption of industrial seed oils to a higher susceptibility to sunburn
Key Arguments and Claims:
- Vitamin D as Natural Sunscreen: Dr. Mason states that the body naturally vitamin D as a protective shield against UV/UVB radiation damage to DNA, rather than strictly for bone health
- The Cholesterol Connection: He references Ancel Keys’ historical “Seven Countries Study”, highlighting a data point that individuals with higher sun exposure had lower blood cholesterol levels. He explains this occurs because the body uses cholesterol to synthesize vitamin D
- Interference by Plant Sterols: He argues that plant sterols (phytosterols) absorbed from dietary seed oils interfere with normal cholesterol chemistry, specifically disrupting the skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D
- Anecdotal Evidence: While acknowledging the evidence is largely anecdotal, he points out that a vast number of individuals on ketogenic internet forums report a noticeable resistance to sunburn after completely eliminating seed oils from their diet.
There is a possible mechanism. Since melanin increases UV absorption, as you darken due to exposure you will need more exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D.