Omega 6 fatty acids are a group of essential fatty acids that your body uses for a variety of purposes. As your body cannot produce these healthy fats, you need to consume foods or beverages that contain them --- but in moderation. Ideally, the ratio of omega 6 fats and omega 3 fats should be between 2:1 and 4:1. However, the typical American diet usually consists of 14 to 25 times more omega 6 fats than omega 3 fats.
Hypertension
High blood pressure, or hypertension, leads to other health problems such as heart disease and stroke --- two of the leading causes of death for Americans. However, the omega-6 fatty acid gamma linoleic acid may help to reduce high blood pressure. Linoleic acid breaks down into gamma linoleic acid, or GLA, in the body. You can also obtain GLA in supplement form from sources such as borage or evening primrose oils.
Skin Conditions
Skin problems such as atopic eczema may be related to poor conversion of linoleic acid to gamma linoleic acid in the body. Supplementation with omega 6 fatty acids might help to relieve these skin problems. In a review of several studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2000, most of the studies showed that gamma linoleic acid was beneficial in treating skin atopic eczema, including minimizing skin roughness.
Osteoporosis
This bone-thinning disease affects about 10 million Americans --- 80 percent of whom are women, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. If you have osteoporosis you have a greater risk of suffering broken bones or fractures. You may also be more likely to have low levels of essential fatty acids than people without osteoporosis. Supplementation with gamma linoleic acid might help to reduce bone loss and increase bone density.
Dose
For general health, try to meet the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids. To help balance your intake, eat more foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as flaxseed oil and fatty fish. You can also find omega 3 fats added to other foods such as juices or cereals. If you are taking omega 6 fatty acids for a particular health problem, your needs will vary. For instance, if you are taking it to treat eczema, you can take a dose of 4,000 to 8,000 mg. But, if you're taking it for diabetes, a dose of 480 mg taken in equal parts three times a day may be recommended. Consult your doctor for more advice on the appropriate dosage for you.
Considerations
Exceeding the recommended ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fats can be detrimental to your health. For instance, these fats increase inflammation, which is linked to several conditions including heart disease and autoimmune diseases. Omega 6 fatty acids supplements have also been linked to seizures, especially in people prone to having them. If you are pregnant or at risk for developing prostate cancer, you should not take omega 6 supplements. Get advice from your doctor if you have a medical condition before taking omega 6 supplements.
Member Comments