2<\/p>\n Eggs and tofu are among many foods that contain omega-6 fatty acidsCredit: Getty 2<\/p>\n The study found linoleic acid fuelled tumour growth in cases of aggressive breast cancerCredit: Getty<\/p>\n While it’s important to include omega-6 fatty acids in your diet because your body cannot produce them on its own, experts say they should only be consumed in moderation. <\/p>\n They also urge people focus on taking in another essential fatty acid, omega-3<\/a>, which can be found in fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines. <\/p>\n This is because while both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are both essential for health, omega-3s are often considered more important\u00a0due to their anti-inflammatory<\/a> properties and potential benefits for heart, brain, and eye health. <\/p>\n Omega-6s are more readily available in Western diets and have been linked to inflammation in studies.<\/p>\n Now, researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have suggested another reason why omega-6s shouldn’t be consumed in high amounts – because they could help cancer<\/a> cells grow and multiply. <\/p>\n As part of their study, they gave mice breast cancer<\/a> cells and fed one group safflower oil, which is high in linoleic acid (a crucial omega-6 fatty acid). <\/p>\n The mice who were fed the oil had faster growing tumours than the placebo group that didn’t consume any linoleic acid.<\/p>\n They found linoleic acid can activate mTORC1, which is considered the “control centre” in cells which decides whether they grow, divide or make proteins. <\/p>\n In cases of aggressive breast cancer, excess linoleic acid overstimulates mTORC1, fuelling tumour growth. <\/p>\n Dr John Blenis, the study’s senior author and a cancer researcher at Weill Cornell Medicine, said: “We now know that linoleic acid feeds cancer cell growth in a very specific way. <\/p>\n To supplement or not- The top 10 vitamins and minerals that are vital for health – and the best sources for each one<\/p>\n “This discovery helps clarify the relationship between dietary fats and cancer, and sheds light on how to define which patients might benefit the most from specific nutritional recommendations in a personalised manner.”<\/p>\n Excess linoleic acid is delivered throughout the body by a protein known as FABP5, which overstimulates mTORC1, promoting tumour growth. <\/p>\n The researchers measured levels of FABP5 across different types of cancer before deciding to test linoleic acid’s impact on triple-negative breast cancer cells, as they produce much higher levels of FABP5 than other types of cancer. <\/p>\n Dr Nikos Koundouros, the study’s first author, said: “There may be a broader role for FABP5-mTORC1 signalling in other cancer types and even in common chronic diseases such as obesity<\/a> and diabetes<\/a>.”<\/p>\n The study marks the first time a precise biological mechanism has been shown to connect linoleic acid from food to cancer growth.<\/p>\n More foods that contain linoleic acid…<\/p>\n Vegetable oils:<\/strong><\/p>\n Sunflower oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, and avocado oil.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nuts and seds:<\/strong><\/p>\n Walnuts, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, pecans, pine nuts, cashews, pistachios, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Bowl](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/high-angle-view-food-bowl-985475254.jpg\")
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