{"id":150522,"date":"2025-06-01T22:15:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T22:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/150522\/"},"modified":"2025-06-01T22:15:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T22:15:10","slug":"omega-6-fatty-acids-may-lower-diabetes-heart-disease-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/150522\/","title":{"rendered":"Omega-6 fatty acids may lower diabetes, heart disease risk"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/oil-bottle-shadow-1296x728-header-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"The bottom of a vegetable oil bottle casts a shadow on a flat surface\" class=\"css-1jytyml\"\/><a class=\"icon-hl-pinterest css-11oz8gb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-event=\"Any Page|Image Pinterest Click|Icon Clicked\" data-element-event=\"OPEN|CONTENTBLOCK|Any Page|Article Body|BUTTON|Image Widget Pinterest Click|\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalnewstoday.com%2Farticles%2Fomega-6-fatty-acids-nuts-vegetable-oils-may-lower-heart-disease-diabetes-risk&amp;media=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.post.rvohealth.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2025%2F06%2Foil-bottle-shadow-1296x728-header-1024x575.jpg&amp;description=Seed%20oils%3A%20Omega-6%20fatty%20acids%20may%20lower%20diabetes%2C%20heart%20disease%20risk\" title=\"Share on Pinterest\" data-pin-custom=\"true\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/oil-bottle-shadow-1296x728-header-1024x575.jpg\">Share on Pinterest<\/a>Higher linoleic acid levels may help lower heart disease and diabetes risk, a new study finds. Javier Zayas Photography\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cardiometabolic health is a gauge of the fitness of the body\u2019s cardiovascular and metabolic systems.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Poor cardiometabolic health may increase a person\u2019s risk for cardiometabolic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lifestyle factors such as diet can also impact a person\u2019s cardiometabolic health. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Two new studies recently presented report that consuming<\/strong> <strong>a diet higher in linoleic acid, or omega-6 fatty acids, may help support cardiometabolic health, and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cAtherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases \u2014 mainly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/151444\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">heart attack<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/7624\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">stroke<\/a> \u2014 are the leading cause of death in the U.S.,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/publichealth.indiana.edu\/about\/directory\/profile.html?user=kcmaki\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">Kevin C. Maki, PhD<\/a>, adjunct professor in the School of Public Health-Bloomington at Indiana University and chief scientist at Midwest Biomedical Research told Medical News Today. \u201cType 2 diabetes is very common \u2014 about 10% of the adult population \u2014 and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as well as other issues such as kidney failure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is well accepted that lifestyle \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9899878\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">diet<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9097788\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">physical activity<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11274995\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">smoking<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/professional.heart.org\/en\/science-news\/sleep-duration-and-quality-impact-on-lifestyle-behaviors-and-cardiometabolic-health\/Commentary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">sleep<\/a>, etc. \u2014 is important for the development of these cardiometabolic disorders,\u201d Maki continued. \u201cLifestyle modification is the cornerstone of efforts to minimize cardiometabolic risks. We have a large body of evidence to demonstrate that lifestyle interventions can improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Maki is the lead author of two new studies recently presented at the American Society for Nutrition\u2019s annual meeting, <a href=\"https:\/\/nutrition.org\/meeting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">NUTRITION 2025<\/a>, which has found that consuming a diet higher in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/omega-6-fatty-acids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">omega-6 fatty acid<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/324858\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">linoleic acid<\/a> may help support cardiometabolic health, and lower a person\u2019s risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For these studies, researchers analyzed medical data from 1,894 adult participants of an observational study focused on COVID-19. Study participants had an average age of 50, an average <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/323586\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">body mass index (BMI)<\/a> of 29, and more than half identified as female and non-Hispanic White. <\/p>\n<p>Scientists focused on the amount of linoleic acid found in the serum in the blood of all participants. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow css-34gtoi\"><p><strong>Are seed oils bad?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cLinoleic acid is found mainly in <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11374968\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">vegetable oils<\/a> that are used in cooking and are ingredients in many food products. Recently, there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/what-are-seed-oils\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">seed oils<\/a>\u2019 such as corn oil and soybean oil. Some have claimed that these seed oils, which are rich in linoleic acid, cause inflammation.\u201d<br \/>\u2014 Kevin C. Maki, PhD<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cThe level of linoleic acid in the blood is influenced by how much is consumed in the diet \u2014 higher intake leading to a higher level in the blood,\u201d Maki continued. \u201cWe were interested in looking at the level of linoleic acid in the blood to see if it would be associated with cardiometabolic risk factors, specifically <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niehs.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/science\/biomarkers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">biomarkers<\/a> of inflammation and blood glucose (sugar) regulation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Upon analysis, Maki and his team found that study participants with a higher concentration of linoleic acid in their blood serum were linked to lower levels of the inflammation biomarkers high-sensitivity <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/322138\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">C-reactive protein<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9245818\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">glycoprotein acetyls<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChronic inflammation is a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases,\u201d Maki explained. \u201cIn particular, many studies have shown that a higher level of C-reactive protein is associated with increased risks for heart attack and stroke. There are also studies showing that drugs that reduce inflammation lower risks for heart attack and stroke.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow css-34gtoi\"><p><strong>Are omega-6 fatty acids inflammatory?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur findings do not support the view that higher linoleic acid intake is associated with more inflammation. In fact, they are more consistent with the opposite view because higher linoleic acid was associated with lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers.\u201d<br \/>\u2014 Kevin C. Maki, PhD<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>\u201cSome caution is needed because this was not an intervention study, so we cannot say that this association is cause and effect,\u201d Maki added. \u201cWe can only say that we found the opposite of what would be predicted if linoleic acid was having a pro-inflammatory effect.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Additionally, researchers found these same participants with more linoleic acid in their serum also experienced more favorable levels of BMI and biomarkers of glucose homeostasis, or even blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow css-34gtoi\">\n<p>\u201cHigher BMI, along with higher fasting levels of glucose and insulin are risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have shown that a higher circulating level of linoleic acid is associated with lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Our results are consistent with those, since they show lower levels of risk factors for type 2 diabetes in those with higher levels of linoleic acid in the blood.\u201d<br \/>\u2014 Kevin C. Maki, PhD<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWhile we have to be cautious about interpretation of the results, our findings are consistent with favorable effects of linoleic acid consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors and not with unfavorable effects, as has been claimed by some online influencers,\u201d Maki said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIntervention studies will be needed to further investigate the influence of changing intake of linoleic acid on the risk factors we studied,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>MNT had the opportunity to speak with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.memorialcare.org\/providers\/cheng-han-chen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">Cheng-Han Chen, MD<\/a>, a board certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, about these studies. <\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cThis research found that increased blood levels of linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) were associated with lower blood glucose levels and lower levels of inflammatory markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and glycoprotein acetyls,\u201d Chen commented. \u201cThese findings are in line with our understanding of linoleic acid \u2014 found in vegetable oil, nuts, and seeds \u2014 as likely being beneficial to cardiometabolic health.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cHeart disease continues to be one of the major disease burdens in our society. Lifestyle modifications such as diet improvements are essential in helping us improve cardiometabolic health in our patients and are a necessary part of improving health outcomes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFuture research should prospectively study the impact of increased linoleic intake in the diet on the development of cardiovascular disease,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n<p>For readers who are now thinking about increasing their linoleic acid intake to possibly improve their cardiometabolic health, <a href=\"https:\/\/eatrightrx.com\/about-monique-richard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN<\/a>, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight, urged them to remember that the biomarkers measured in the studies are influenced by a variety of factors and nutrition science is complex.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow css-34gtoi\"><p><strong>Why nutrition is more than one \u2018magic\u2019 ingredient<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cNutrition science is rarely about one nutrient in isolation \u2014 context is everything. Nutrition is about patterns, not just parts. Linoleic acid is an essential omega-6 fatty acid, and like all nutrients, its benefit depends on the company it keeps. Foods that naturally contain linoleic acid \u2014 like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/sunflower-seeds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">sunflower seeds<\/a>, walnuts, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/278340\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">tofu<\/a>, eggs, and fish \u2014 come packaged with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals, not just isolated fats.\u201d <br \/>\u2014 Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cConsider linoleic and other fatty acids to be an accessory or an assistant in helping bring out the food\u2019s flavor, such as in a saute, marinade, sauce, or a vehicle to add spice, herbs, or enhance mouthfeel and moisture,\u201d she continued. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cChronic low-grade inflammation can be exacerbated from poor dietary sources of linoleic acid, so those that have conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome do need to be aware of overall patterns, quality of ingredients, and amounts,\u201d Richard added. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow css-34gtoi\"><p><strong>Omega-3 vs. omega-6 ratio important<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is important to note the necessary and optimal balance of the ratio of omega-6 to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/325179\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">omega-3 fatty acids<\/a> (is) something a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can assist in assessing.\u201d<br \/>\u2014 Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Share on PinterestHigher linoleic acid levels may help lower heart disease and diabetes risk, a new study finds.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":150523,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4318],"tags":[105,4434,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-150522","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-nutrition","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114610420109083043","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=150522"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/150522\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/150523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=150522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=150522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=150522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}