Omega 6 Fatty Acids

About Omega 6 Fatty Acids

Omega 6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats whose first double bond lies at the sixth carbon from the methyl end. Linoleic acid is the essential omega 6, and the body converts it to arachidonic acid, a membrane component and the precursor of eicosanoids such as prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes. Official intake recommendations exist, and linoleic acid is plentiful in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. Modern Western diets contain far more omega 6 relative to omega 3 than estimated ancestral diets, and some researchers argue this promotes chronic inflammation. The ratio concept is debated, since raising linoleic acid intake does not consistently raise inflammatory markers. The American Heart Association regards omega 6 polyunsaturated fats as part of a heart healthy diet. Gamma linolenic acid from evening primrose, borage and hemp seed oils has been studied for eczema, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic neuropathy with mixed results. Essential fatty acid deficiency is rare and causes scaly dermatitis, poor growth and impaired wound healing.