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New research using blood biomarkers to measure linoleic acid levels and their link to cardiometabolic risk suggests this omega-6 fatty acid may help reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The findings contradict claims that seed oils are harmful to cardiometabolic health.
Linoleic acid is abundant in vegetable oils – particularly seed oils such as soybean oil and corn oil – as well as in plant-based foods, and is the primary omega-6 fatty acid in the diet.
Seed oils have been the subject of considerable controversy in recent years, with some claiming they cause inflammation and increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease. However, our study, which included nearly 1,900 people, found that higher levels of linoleic acid in blood plasma were associated with lower cardiometabolic risk markers, including those linked to inflammation, said Dr Kevin C. Maki, associate professor at the Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health and chief scientist at the Midwest Biomedical Research Center.
Maki presented the study's findings at NUTRITION 2025, the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, held from 31 May to 3 June in Orlando.
The findings are consistent with previous observational studies showing that higher linoleic acid consumption is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.
Maki explained: "Although earlier studies have examined the relationship between linoleic acid and cardiometabolic risk factors, our study used objective biomarkers rather than dietary records or food frequency questionnaires to assess linoleic acid intake. We also measured a broad range of inflammatory and glucose metabolism markers."
In the new study, researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from 1,894 people drawn from an observational cohort focused on COVID-19, and found that higher plasma linoleic acid levels – used as a marker of dietary intake – were consistently associated with lower risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
The results specifically showed that participants with higher linoleic acid levels had lower glucose and insulin levels, as well as a lower HOMA-IR score, a marker of insulin resistance. They also had lower levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), glycoprotein acetyls, and serum amyloid A.
Maki said: "We saw consistent results across the various biomarkers we measured. People with higher levels of linoleic acid in their blood tended to have a better risk profile for heart disease and diabetes."
The researchers say their findings support the need for further intervention studies to test whether increasing linoleic acid intake improves cardiometabolic risk factors and reduces the incidence of heart attacks, strokes and type 2 diabetes. The team plans to next study the effects of different types of oils, with varying fatty acid compositions, on these factors.
Maki presented the research from 10:20 to 10:24am Eastern Time on Sunday 1 June, during the session "Bioactive Compounds in Inflammation, Gut Health, and Glucose and Bone Metabolism," and again from 12:45 to 1:45pm on Monday 2 June during the session "Bioactive Dietary Components," at the Orange County Convention Center.
Source: News Medical