In this episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable., Susan Robbins sits down with physician, researcher, and science communicator Dr. Gil Carvalho for a powerful conversation about nutrition misinformation, influencer-driven fear, and what the science actually says about cholesterol, saturated fat, seed oils, oats, and popular diet trends. Dr. Gil Carvalho, founder of the Nutrition Made Simple YouTube channel, is known for breaking down complex health research into practical, understandable information without the fear tactics and sensationalism that dominate so much of the wellness world. Together, Susan and Dr. Gil unpack some of the biggest myths circulating online, including the idea that “higher cholesterol is always better,” that oats are harmful, and that seed oils are toxic. They also discuss why individualized health matters, how genetics influence risk factors like ApoB and Lp(a), and why lab work should guide decisions more than viral social media claims. This episode is a grounded, evidence-based conversation designed to help listeners think critically, ask better questions, and become stronger advocates for their own health. In this episode: Why high cholesterol should not automatically be dismissed as “healthy”The difference between cholesterol levels, ApoB, particle size, and Lp(a)How misinformation spreads through influencer cultureWhy oats are not the “worst breakfast you can eat”The truth about seed oils and inflammationHow genetics impact cardiovascular risk and dietary responsesWhy one-size-fits-all nutrition advice often backfiresThe importance of personalized nutrition and individualized lab workWhy fear-based wellness messaging can create more harm than goodHow social media oversimplifies complex health topicsThe role of lifestyle, stress, sleep, movement, and environment in long-term healthWhy learning to interpret science critically matters more than following trends Dr. Gil Carvalho Gil Carvalho is a Portuguese physician, research scientist, and science communicator known for his work in nutrition, longevity, and evidence-based health education. Born in Portugal, he earned his MD from the University of Lisbon and later obtained a PhD in Biology from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he trained under pioneering geneticist Seymour Benzer. Carvalho's research spans genetics, molecular biology, nutrition, behavior, aging, and neuroscience, with contributions including the identification of genetic and nutritional mechanisms underlying longevity; his work has been cited over 4,130 times as of 2023 according to Google Scholar. He has collaborated with neuroscientist Antonio Damasio on neural signal transmission and the basis of interoception, and his publications appear in prestigious outlets such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Nature Methods. In addition to his academic career at the University of Southern California, Carvalho is a prominent science communicator, founding the YouTube channel Nutrition Made Simple in 2018, which has amassed over a million monthly viewers by simplifying complex dietary science for lay audiences. He contributes to organizations including the Institute of Limbic Health, and his expert insights have been featured in media like Quanta Magazine and ScienceDaily. Carvalho has received awards such as the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics and a Mathers Foundation grant, underscoring his impact in bridging clinical practice, rigorous research, and public health education. RESOURCES: Connect with Dr. Gil Carvalho: Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@NutritionMadeSimple twitter.com/NutritionMadeS3 facebook.com/DrGilCarvalho tiktok.com/@nutrition.made.simple instagram.com/gilcarvalho.md https://healthyawakening.co/2026/05/25/episode125/ Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/ Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast