A popular influencer’s claims about seed oils have been torn about by a UK-trained doctor, who has gained a reputation for going after false information regarding nutrition and wellness.
07:32 ET, 03 Aug 2025Updated 07:32 ET, 03 Aug 2025
Alexandria Noel (@lexinoelv) has over 178,000 followers on Instagram(Image: instagram.com/dr_idz)
A doctor has criticized health and wellness influencer Alexandria Noel’s claims about seed oils in a popular video shared on social media.
Dr. Idrees Mughal (also known as Dr. Idz) has over 8 million followers on TikTok and 295,000 on Instagram. He has recently gained recognition for debunking common misconceptions about nutrition and wellness.
The UK-trained doctor holds a master’s degree in Nutritional Research, is straightforward, and provides evidence-based advice to his followers in response to what he sees as false information spread by various internet influencers.
In the original clip, Alexandria Noel (@lexinoelv) claims that seed oils are harmful and lists her reasons why.
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“Seed oils use a chemical called hexane to extract them. They were originally used as car lubricant, not meant for us to eat,” she claimed.
“They are much cheaper, so they’re added to all ultra-processed fake foods. They’re high in omega-6 fatty acids, which will disrupt our bodies’ omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, leading to inflammation and oxidative stress.”
Noel claims that she learned this from a 12-week course she took.
In response, Dr. Idz recorded himself debunking Noel’s claims, stating that she is “regurgitating the same talking points as she’s told by Primal Health Institute,” where she took the course.
If you can’t see the clip below, click here
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He explains, “The hexane comment is nonsense because no hexane remains in the final products. The boiling point of hexane is much lower than that of the oil. So when the oil is gently heated, the hexane evaporates.”
“The oil used in engine lubricants is not the same as what we eat today, and just because a substance had non-food purposes historically doesn’t make it bad. Water is also used to wash away waste in toilets. Does that make water harmful?”
He also notes that beef tallow, which Noel supposedly considers healthy, was “used as machine lubricant for thousands of years.”
For his third point, he criticizes the studies Noel cited in her caption, saying, “She claims seed oils are high in omega-6 and cause inflammation, then cites various studies as if she understands what they say.”
“Not one of those citations actually supports her claim that seed oils cause inflammation in humans. For example, she cited a study that discusses oxidative byproducts of linoleic acid, not linoleic acid itself. It doesn’t say that eating seed oils or linoleic acid causes disease directly.”
According to the doctor, no controlled human studies on seed oil consumption show a pro-inflammatory effect, but three studies have found seed oils to have anti-inflammatory effects.
One such study, authored by Vibeke H Telle-Hansen, titled ‘Does dietary fat affect inflammatory markers in overweight and obese individuals? – A review of randomized controlled trials from 2010 to 2016 was published in the National Library of Medicine in 2017.
Dr. Idz’s video emphasizes that although information about seed oils can be confusing, it’s crucial to understand the science before making claims about foods.
A quick Google search reveals many conflicting articles and social media posts. Some suggest seed oils are detrimental to health, while others argue these claims are overstated or false.
While online health information will always vary, a doctor remains one of the best sources for accurate food and health advice.