Omega 6 Pros and Cons

Your body needs omega-6 fatty acids, but it can't manufacture them on its own. It's essential that you to consume these polyunsaturated fats in your diet - that's why they're referred to as "essential fatty acids." Luckily you don't have to go stocking your pantry with omega-6 rich foods; it's likely that you're already eating plenty of them. The average American diet is already disproportionately high in omega-6, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Although this nutrient is needed for human health, consuming too much of it can contribute to health problems.

Inflammation

Inflammation may seem like a negative thing, but it's an important part of the immune response. When cells are injured they release histamines that increase the permeability of your blood vessels. This allows fluids to flow out of the blood vessels and into the injured tissue, causing the swelling, pain and redness associated with inflammation. Some types of omega-6 fatty acid increase inflammation levels in your body. This can become a problem when inflammation is chronic. Chronic inflammation is associated with heart disease and is linked to aging, according to "Annals of The New York Academy of Sciences."

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Gamma linoleic acid, or GLA, is a type of omega-6 that may help to reduce, rather than promote inflammation. The GLA found in evening primrose oil may be helpful in relieving the pain, stiffness and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, though the evidence is mixed as to its effectiveness. UMMC notes that it may take up to three months before you see any changes in your symptoms, and that omega-6 will not cure the condition or stop its progression.

Cardiovascular

Replacing dietary saturated fats with omega-6 and omega-3, another essential polyunsaturated fatty acid, may help lower your cholesterol levels and decrease your risk for heart disease, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Linoleic acid is the most common polyunsaturated fatty acid in the Western diet. In a study conducted over a 20-year period by the department of nutrition at Harvard University, women who consume higher levels of linoleic acid were found to have substantially lower incidence of coronary heart disease.

Balancing Your Omegas

The average American diet is too high in omega-6 fatty acids and too low in omega-3s. Because of this, it is unnecessary to take omega-6 in supplement form. Eating more varieties of cold-water fish, high in omega-3, helps correct the ratio of these two polyunsaturated fatty acids.