Q&A: Are Seed Oils Dangerous? Anhedonia, Ketoacidosis, Ketone Levels & More

Why are seed oils suddenly everywhere in nutrition debates? What is anhedonia? Is the dawn phenomenon something to worry about? And how can you tell the difference between nutritional ketosis and ketoacidosis?

In this Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher and producer Erica Gerard answer some of the most common questions from our community about ketogenic therapy, mental health, metabolism, and nutrition science.

Topics discussed include:

• Why seed oils have become such a controversial topic and what the evidence actually shows
• Whether seed oils deserve their negative reputation
• What anhedonia is and why it can be one of the most challenging symptoms in mental health conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia
• Emerging research on ketogenic therapy and improvements in anhedonia
• Why debates between plant-based and ketogenic diets often miss the bigger picture
• The limitations of observational nutrition research
• Why there may not be one “best” diet for everyone
• What the dawn phenomenon is and why it may mean different things for people eating high-carb versus ketogenic diets
• The difference between nutritional ketosis and diabetic ketoacidosis
• Whether there is a specific “therapeutic” ketone level for brain health and mental health interventions

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Scher emphasizes an important theme: context matters. The same biomarker, food, or dietary approach can have very different implications depending on an individual’s health status, goals, and metabolic health.

Whether you're exploring ketogenic therapy for mental health, trying to better understand ketone levels, or simply looking for evidence-based answers to common nutrition questions, this episode offers practical insights and helpful nuance.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

• https://www.metabolicmind.org/team/bret-scher-md/
• https://www.instagram.com/drscher858/?hl=en
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/

Erica Gerard

Resources Mentioned:

Papers

• Re-evaluated Minnesota Coronary Experiment: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27071971/
• Anhedonia improviments mentioned: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41475571/
• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2844388#google_vignette

Additional resources

• Dawn Phenomenon by Dr. Bret Scher: https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/the-dawn-effect

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Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.