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Products and servicesWhat are omega-6 fatty acids Can eating omega-6 fatty acids cause heart disease
Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D.
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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.
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It can make most of them. But the body can't make linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that includes omega-6 fatty acids.
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A balanced diet is the body's main source of omega-6 fatty acids. Fatty acids serve different functions in the body.
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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.
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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.
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Or choose Brazil nuts or walnuts as snacks. They're also rich in omega-6 fatty acids. With Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D.
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Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Butter vs. margarine ShareTweet Dec.
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17, 2021 Show references Mozaffarian D. Dietary fat.
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https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 22, 2021.
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Saturated fats. American Heart Association.
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https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/saturated-fats. Accessed Nov. 22, 2021.
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Saini RK. Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids: Dietary sources, metabolism, and significance - A review. Life Sciences.
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2018; doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2018.04.049. Hooper L, et al.
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Omega-6 fats for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018; doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011094.pub3.
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Marklund M, et al. Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality. Circulation.
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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.
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Clinical Nutrition. 2020; doi:0.1016/j.clnu.2020.03.028. 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
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Department of Agriculture. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov. Accessed Nov.
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22, 2021. Innes JK, et al. Omega-6 fatty acids and inflammation.
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Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids. 2018; doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2018.03.004.
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Lopez-Jimenez F (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic.
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Dec. 7, 2021.
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Marklund M, et al. Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality.
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Circulation. 2019; doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.038908.
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