Omega-6 fatty acids Can they cause heart disease - Mayo Clinic

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Omega-6 fatty acids Can they cause heart disease

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What are omega-6 fatty acids Can eating omega-6 fatty acids cause heart disease

Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. Omega-6 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. When eaten in moderation and in place of saturated fats, omega-6 fatty acids can be good for the heart and appear to protect against heart disease. The body needs fatty acids (essential fatty acids) to work properly. It can make most of them. But the body can't make linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that includes omega-6 fatty acids. A balanced diet is the body's main source of omega-6 fatty acids. Fatty acids serve different functions in the body. Some are believed to cause inflammation, but others seem to have anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have failed to show an increased risk of heart disease linked to omega-6 fatty acids. In fact, research findings suggest that omega-6 fatty acids may actually reduce the risk for heart disease or stroke. Until more is known, you can help keep your heart healthy by limiting saturated fats in your diet and choosing plant-based foods such as flaxseed or canola oil. One way to increase the amount of omega-6s in your diet is to swap butter for olive oil when cooking. Or choose Brazil nuts or walnuts as snacks. They're also rich in omega-6 fatty acids. With Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

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Butter vs. margarine ShareTweet Dec. 17, 2021 Show references Mozaffarian D. Dietary fat. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 22, 2021. Saturated fats. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/saturated-fats. Accessed Nov. 22, 2021. Saini RK. Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids: Dietary sources, metabolism, and significance - A review. Life Sciences. 2018; doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2018.04.049. Hooper L, et al. Omega-6 fats for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018; doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011094.pub3. Marklund M, et al. Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality. Circulation. 2019; doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.038908. Mazidi M, et al. Association of types of dietary fats and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: A prospective cohort study and meta-analysis of prospective studies with 1,164,029 participants. Clinical Nutrition. 2020; doi:0.1016/j.clnu.2020.03.028. 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov. Accessed Nov. 22, 2021. Innes JK, et al. Omega-6 fatty acids and inflammation. Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids. 2018; doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2018.03.004. Lopez-Jimenez F (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Dec. 7, 2021. Marklund M, et al. Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality. Circulation. 2019; doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.038908. See more Expert Answers

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Omega 6 fatty acids Can they cause heart disease? Mayo Clinic