Excessive Consumption of Seed Oils May Potentially Decrease the Risk of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease due to their Omega-6 Content
Healthy cardiometabolic functioning is a crucial indicator of a body's overall fitness, encompassing both the cardiovascular and metabolic systems. A poor cardiometabolic state may increase the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Cardiovascular health pertains to the strength of the heart and proper blood flow, while metabolic health reflects how efficiently the body uses energy and regulates blood sugar levels. Ignoring cardiometabolic health can lead to significant health issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
"Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases - mainly heart attack and stroke - are the leading causes of death in the United States," noted Kevin C. Maki, PhD, adjunct professor at Indiana University and chief scientist at Midwest Biomedical Research. "Type 2 diabetes is quite common, affecting about 10% of the adult population, and it acts as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as well as other health issues such as kidney failure."
Research strongly supports the notion that lifestyle plays a significant role in the development of cardiometabolic disorders. Lifestyle modifications, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and quitting smoking, are essential in mitigating cardiometabolic risks.
Two recently published studies, led by Maki, demonstrate that consuming diets higher in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in vegetable oils like soybean and corn oil, may help support cardiometabolic health and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Researchers analyzed data from approximately 1,900 adult participants, observing the participants' blood serum levels of linoleic acid.
Controversy has swirled around seed oils, which are rich in linoleic acid, with some speculating that they induce inflammation. However, Maki's team found that higher levels of linoleic acid were linked to lower levels of inflammation biomarkers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and glycoprotein acetyls.
Furthermore, participants with more linoleic acid in their serum also showed more favorable levels of BMI and biomarkers of glucose homeostasis, signifying better blood sugar regulation and lower risks for type 2 diabetes. While more research is needed to confirm these findings, they run counter to claims that omegas-6 fatty acids contribute to inflammation and increased cardiometabolic risks.
Readers considering increasing their linoleic acid intake to improve their cardiometabolic health should remember that context is everything in nutrition science. Nutrition is about patterns, not just individual nutrients, so it's important to focus on consuming a variety of whole foods, both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Additionally, those with conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or metabolic syndrome should be mindful of overall nutrition patterns, ingredient quality, and quantities.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for maintaining a balanced diet, and consulting a registered dietitian nutritionist can help individuals assess their optimal omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio.
- Ignoring cardiometabolic health can lead to significant health issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
- Research strongly supports the notion that lifestyle plays a significant role in the development of cardiometabolic disorders.
- Two recently published studies demonstrate that consuming diets higher in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, may help support cardiometabolic health and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
- Participants with more linoleic acid in their serum also showed more favorable levels of BMI and biomarkers of glucose homeostasis, signifying better blood sugar regulation and lower risks for type 2 diabetes.
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for maintaining a balanced diet, and consulting a registered dietitian nutritionist can help individuals assess their optimal omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio.
