New evidence shows that linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in seed oils, is linked to lower levels of inflammation. This challenges claims that such oils are harmful and instead points to real health benefits.
The research used blood markers to measure linoleic acid levels and their relation to cardiometabolic risk and adds evidence that this omega-6 fatty acid may help to lower risks for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
What is linoleic acid?
Linoleic acid, which is found in including corn, soybean, sunflower, safflower, sesame and canola oils, is the primary omega-6 fatty acid consumed in the diet.
Critics claim that consuming these vegetables oils (seed oils) can lead to weight gain, inflammation, heart disease and cancer among other ills.
Nuts, pumpkin seeds, some meats and eggs also contain linoleic acid.
About the study
The study, based on almost 1,900 people, found that higher linoleic acid in blood plasma was consistently associated with lower levels of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Specifically, study participants with higher linoleic acid showed lower levels of glucose and insulin as well as HOMA-IR, a biomarker of insulin resistance.
They also had lower levels of inflammation biomarkers, including C-reactive protein, glycoprotein acetyls, and serum amyloid A.
The findings were presented at NUTRITION 2025, the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held in Orlando, Florida.
The new results are consistent with those from observational studies that have shown higher intake of linoleic acid to be associated with lower risks for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Although other studies have assessed relationships between linoleic acid and cardiometabolic risk factors, the new research used objective biomarkers rather than diet records or food frequency questionnaires to assess linoleic acid intake. It also measured a range of markers of inflammation and indicators of glucose metabolism.
The researchers say that their findings support the need for additional intervention studies to test whether increasing linoleic acid intake improves cardiometabolic risk factors and lowers the incidence of heart attack, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Next, they plan to investigate how different types of oils with varying fatty acid content affect cardiometabolic risk factors.
Source: The American Society for Nutrition, June 21, 2025.
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