Advertise
Founder of the platform, with more than 11 years of experience in marketing within the oils and fats industry.
I published a magazine Nutrients A new study provides important insights into omega-6 fatty acids, specifically whether they cause inflammation as is widely believed.
In light of the increasing interest in vegetable oils and their health effects, especially those rich in linoleic acid (LA), an essential omega-6 acid, allegations have emerged that Western diets contain an “excessive amount” of LA and that many modern diseases are due to the increase in consumption of this acid over the past century.
This novel posits that high consumption of LA leads to increased inflammation. However, are high levels of LA in the blood actually linked to increased inflammation? This is the key question that the study tried to answer.
The researchers relied on data from the “Framingham Children Study”, a long-term study in the Boston area that follows the children of participants in the “original Framingham Heart Study”. It aims to analyze genetic and lifestyle factors that affect heart health and metabolism. The study started in 1971 and is one of the most reliable sources for understanding long-term health developments.
The study was cross-sectional. The levels of LA and arachidonic acid (AA) were measured in the same blood samples that were analyzed for 10 biomarkers related to inflammation and oxidative stress in 2700 people. The relationship between the levels of several omega-6 acids and these indicators was statistically analyzed.
After statistically adjusting the results for possible confounding factors (such as age, race, sex, smoking, blood fat levels, blood pressure, weight... etc.). Researchers found that higher LA levels were associated with a significant decrease in 5 out of 10 vital indicators. In no case was a correlation between high LA and increased inflammatory indicators. As for AA, its higher levels were associated with a decrease in 4 indicators, and no correlation was recorded with its increase either.
The study's lead researcher Dr. William S. Harris, President of the Fatty Acid Research Institute, and founder of OmegaQuant Analytics, and Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of South Dakota:
“These data clearly show that people with the highest levels of LA and AA in the blood are less inflammatory than others. This completely contradicts the hypothesis that omega-6 acids are 'inflammatory' — they even appear to be anti-inflammatory.”
Dr. Harris added:
“In light of the recent media hype about the harm of vegetable oils — the main source of LA — there are those who are calling for a reduction in Americans' consumption. But this call is not based on science, and this study — along with several others — suggests just the opposite: raising LA consumption seems to be a better health recommendation.”
He concluded:
“The results of this study belies the widespread narrative, not previous scientific research, as there are several published studies that confirm the same results we have found.”
Source: medical news
