Excess omega-6 fatty acids found in seed oils could potentially decrease the risks of diabetes and heart disease.
Unleashing the Power of Omega-6: Linoleic Acid and Cardiometabolic Health
Here's the scoop on cardiometabolic health – it's a measure of your body's heart and metabolic system health. A good cardio health means a strong heart and smooth blood flow, while maintaining optimal metabolic health means your body controls blood sugar well and efficiently burns food for energy.
A poor cardiometabolic health status can raise your risk of getting nasty conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
"Heart ailments, such as heart attacks and strokes, are America's leading cause of death, while type 2 diabetes is as common as ten percent of the adult population", says Kevin C. Maki, PhD, adjunct professor in the School of Public Health-Bloomington at Indiana University and chief scientist at Midwest Biomedical Research. "Evidently, lifestyle plays a crucial role in the development of these cardiometabolic disorders."
Good news, health nuts! Maki is the lead author of two new studies recently presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting, NUTRITION 2025, that reveal a diet higher in the omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, may be beneficial in strengthening cardiometabolic health and decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
What's up with linoleic acid?
In these studies, researchers examined data from 1,894 adult participants, focusing on linoleic acid found in their blood serum. Participants averaged 50 years old, had a BMI (body mass index) of 29, and more than half identified as females and non-Hispanic White.
"Linoleic acid can be found mainly in popular cooking oils like sunflower, corn, and soybean," enlightens Maki. People have been talking (arguing) a lot about 'seed oils' lately, with some claiming they induce inflammation. But according to Maki, higher linoleic acid intake results in increased blood levels.
Maki and his team analyzed blood samples with the aim to see if higher linoleic acid concentrations in blood would be related to potential cardiometabolic risk factors, like inflammation and blood sugar regulation.
Bypassing Inflammation
Some may argue that linoleic acid is inflammatory, but Maki's studies tell a different story. Tracking participants' linoleic acid levels, the scientists found that those with high linoleic acid levels exhibited lower levels of the inflammation biomarkers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and glycoprotein acetyls (GP-acetyls).
"Inflammation is a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases", Maki explains. Higher hs-CRP levels have long been associated with increased risks for heart attacks and strokes[2]. Research also shows drugs that reduce inflammation can lower risks for heart attacks and strokes by 15-30%[3].
"Our findings do not support the view that higher linoleic acid intake causes inflammation", Maki asserts. "On the contrary, they are more consistent with the opposite view because higher linoleic acid was associated with lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers, such as hs-CRP and GP-acetyls."
Be careful, though! This study doesn't definitively prove that increased linoleic acid consumption directly causes a decrease in inflammation. "Results should be interpreted with caution", Maki adds, "as we cannot yet confirm a cause and effect relationship."
Better Blood Sugar Levels Ahead
The same participants with high linoleic acid levels also displayed more favorable levels of BMI and biomarkers of glucose homeostasis – that's stable blood sugar levels.
Researchers point out that increased circulating linoleic acid levels may be associated with lower risks for developing type 2 diabetes[2]. Maki states, "Our findings are consistent with previous studies that have shown a positive correlation between higher circulating linoleic acid levels and lower risk for type 2 diabetes."
Think twice before jumping on the 'linoleic acidintake' bandwagon, however. "More research is necessary", Maki stresses, "especially intervention studies that will help clarify the impact of changing linoleic acid intake on cardiometabolic risk factors."
Don't worry, health junkies! More research will help us get a better idea of how linoleic acid consumption affects cardiometabolic health.
Omega-6 Must-Knows
If you're pondering whether you should up your linoleic acid intake to boost your cardiometabolic health, keep a few things in mind:
- Remember, nutrition science is complex. Linoleic acid won't be a magic cure-all.
- Prioritize a diverse diet containing both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
- Incorporate more whole foods, more frequently.
- Be aware of the optimal balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, which a registered dietitian can help assess.
More Research Needed on Increased Linoleic Acid Intake
As we learn more about the wonders of linoleic acid, research in this area will continue to grow. Keep an eye on this fascinating area of nutrition, because knowledge about the link between linoleic acid consumption and cardiometabolic health could provide some new, powerful tools for maintaining and improving health!
*MNT has collaborated with Cheng-Han Chen, MD, and Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, for input on recent cardiometabolic research and dietary recommendations.
References:
[1] Bui, L. T., et al. Plasma linoleic acid predicts incident type 2 diabetes independently of adiposity and metabolic disturbances: The Health Professionals Follow-up Study. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. 24(9):894-901. doi: 10.1007/s12603-020-1282-z.
[2] Bui, L. T., et al. Plasma linoleic acid is inversely associated with systemic inflammation: The Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Atherosclerosis. (2020). [Online ahead of print]. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2020.04.035.
[3] Ghiadoni, L., et al. Statins, inflammation, and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. European Heart Journal. 26(1):4-9. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/26.1.4.
[4] Maki, K. C., et al. The association between plasma fatty acid distribution and incident type 2 diabetes: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Community Study (ARIC). Clinical Nutrition. 39(2):324-335. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2019.11.008.
[5] Maki, K. C., et al. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition and myocardial infarction: Insights from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study. Journal of Lipid Research. 55(12):1833-1843. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M083656.
- The studies led by Kevin C. Maki suggest that a diet high in the omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, may enhance cardiometabolic health and decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
- Linoleic acid, found in popular cooking oils like sunflower, corn, and soybean, has been associated with lower levels of inflammation biomarkers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and glycoprotein acetyls (GP-acetyls) in participants with high linoleic acid levels.
- Increased circulating linoleic acid levels may be linked to more favorable levels of BMI and biomarkers of glucose homeostasis, potentially lowering the risks for developing type 2 diabetes.
- However, studies on the effects of changing linoleic acid intake on cardiometabolic risk factors are still needed to confirm a cause and effect relationship.
- Incorporating a diverse diet containing both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, prioritizing whole foods, and understanding the optimal balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids are important considerations for maintaining overall health and cardiovascular health.
- As research in the area of linoleic acid continues to grow, more powerful tools for maintaining and improving health may be discovered, offering potential benefits for managing medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and other endocrine-related disorders.
