You May Be Wrong About Omega-6 Fatty Acids Benefits
The study's findings have significant implications for dietary recommendations and challenge the popular narrative that omega-6 fatty acids contribute to chronic inflammation. With more research needed to fully understand the effects of omega-6 fatty acids, experts recommend focusing on a balanced diet and cutting back on ultra-processed foods, which are high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt.
New research challenges the long-held belief that omega-6 fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, are pro-inflammatory, suggesting that they may actually have anti-inflammatory effects and offer health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
A study published in the journal Nutrients analyzed data from 2,700 individuals in the Framingham Offspring Study and found that higher blood levels of linoleic acid were associated with lower levels of inflammation-related biomarkers. The study's lead investigator, William S. Harris, suggests that omega-6 fatty acids may be anti-inflammatory, contradicting the popular narrative that they contribute to chronic inflammation. This finding has implications for dietary recommendations, with Harris arguing that raising intakes of linoleic acid, rather than lowering them, may be a healthier approach.
Another study of almost 1,900 people found that higher levels of linoleic acid in blood plasma were associated with lower levels of biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk, including inflammation. The researchers used "objective biomarkers" instead of relying on participants' self-reported data and found that people with higher levels of linoleic acid had lower levels of glucose, insulin, and markers of inflammation. Some experts have expressed support for the study's findings, suggesting that seed oils may not be as harmful as previously thought and may even be protective of heart health.
However, not all experts agree, and some have raised cautions about seed oils, citing a study that linked them to an increased risk of colon cancer. Critics also argue that seed oils are refined with chemicals and heat, which can lead to the presence of hexane residues, a hazardous solvent. Despite these concerns, the FDA has stated that these residues are toxicologically insignificant, and most of it evaporates during cooking.
In conclusion, the new research suggests that omega-6 fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, may have been unfairly maligned, and that they may actually have health benefits. While more research is needed to fully understand the effects of omega-6 fatty acids on human health, the current findings suggest that a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds, as well as moderate amounts of seed oils, may be the best approach to maintaining good health.