18 Aug Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) in Fatty Tissue Linked To Lower Mortality

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. David Iggman

David Iggman, MD, PhD
Unit for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences
Uppsala University, Uppsala
Center for Clinical Research Dalarna
Falun, Sweden

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: There is some controversy regarding which dietary fats are preferable and in what amounts, not least regarding the polyunsaturated fats. It is also challenging to adequately assess peoples intakes of dietary fats.

The main findings of this study was that among fatty acids in the body (reflecting the intake during the last year or so), linoleic acid (omega-6) was associated with lower mortality in 71-year-old men with 15 years follow-up.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: The finding that linoleic acid is associated with less risk of death in the elderly indicates that the current advice to partly replace saturated with polyunsaturated fatty acids seems prudent.

Also, it appears safe regarding total mortality also to be in the extreme high end of the spectrum, i.e. those men with highest amounts of omega-6 in their bodies have lower mortality, not higher.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: I hope more similar studies will be published also in women and in younger age groups, as this objective method of assessing dietary fat intake is a good complement to other dietary research.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: This study is observational and associations like this one does not prove causation, so an overall modest interpretation of the findings, taken together with all other available evidence, is recommended.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Iggman D, Ärnlöv J, Cederholm T, Risérus U. Association of Adipose Tissue Fatty Acids With Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality in Elderly Men. JAMA Cardiol. Published online August 17, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2016.2259.

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on August 19, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD