What is omega 6

Here are the three most common:. Omega-3 fats are a crucial part of human cell membranes. They also have other important functions, including:. A low intake of omega-3 fatty acids compared with omega-6s may contribute to inflammation and chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and heart failure 24 , Omega-3 fats are essential fats that you must get from your diet.

They have important benefits for your heart, brain, and metabolism. Like omega-3s, omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids.

However, the last double bond is six carbons from the omega end of the fatty acid molecule. They mainly provide energy. The most common omega-6 fat is linoleic acid, which the body can convert to longer omega-6 fats such as arachidonic acid AA However, the eicosanoids that AA produces are more pro-inflammatory 27 , Pro-inflammatory eicosanoids play a key role in the immune system. However, when the body produces too many, they can increase the risk of inflammation and inflammatory disease A healthy ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids appears to be between 1-to-1 and 4-to-1 30 , 31 , but studies suggest that people who follow a typical Western diet may consume a ratio of between to-1 and almost to-1 When consumed, much of it is converted to another fatty acid called dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid DGLA.

For example, GLA may help reduce symptoms of inflammatory conditions. However, more research is needed The authors of one study concluded that taking supplements of another form of omega-6 — conjugated linoleic acid CLA — may help reduce fat mass in humans Omega-6 fats are essential fats that provide energy for the body.

However, people should eat more omega-3s than omega-6s. Oleic acid is the most common omega-9 fatty acid and the most common monounsaturated fatty acid in the diet However, consuming foods rich in omega-9 fatty acids instead of other types of fat may have health benefits. A study found that feeding mice diets high in monounsaturated fat improved insulin sensitivity and decreased inflammation The same study found that humans who ate high monounsaturated fat diets had less inflammation and better insulin sensitivity than those who ate diets high in saturated fat.

Omega-9 fats are nonessential fats that the body can produce. Replacing some saturated fats with omega-9 fats may benefit your health. You can easily obtain omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids from your diet, but you need the right balance of each.

The typical Western diet contains more omega-6 fats than necessary and not enough omega-3 fats. However, it does not seem to be effective for severe breast pain. EPO has been suggested as an additional treatment along with standard therapy for MS, although there is no scientific evidence that it works. People with MS who want to add EPO to their treatment regimens should talk with a health care provider. Some studies suggest that people who do not get enough essential fatty acids particularly EPA and GLA are more likely to have bone loss than those with normal levels of these fatty acids.

In a study of women over 65 with osteoporosis, those who took EPA and GLA supplements had less bone loss over 3 years than those who took placebo. Many of these women also experienced an increase in bone density. The symptoms that seem to improve the most are breast tenderness and feelings of depression, as well as irritability and swelling and bloating from fluid retention. For general health, there should be a balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

The ratio should be in the range of to , omega-6 to omega-3, and some health educators advocate even lower ratios. Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in sunflower, safflower, soy, sesame, and corn oils. The average diet provides plenty of omega-6 fatty acids, so supplements are usually not necessary.

People with specific conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, diabetes, or breast tenderness mastalgia may want to ask their doctors about taking omega-6 supplements.

Spirulina often called blue-green algae also contains GLA. The average diet provides sufficient omega-6 fatty acids, so supplementation is usually not necessary unless you are treating a specific condition, such as:.

Speak to your doctor to determine what form and what dose of omega-6 fatty acids are most appropriate for you. Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider. DO NOT take omega-6 fatty acids if you have a seizure disorder because there have been reports of these supplements causing seizures.

Several reports describe seizures in people taking EPO. Some of these seizures developed in people with a previous seizure disorder, or in people taking EPO in combination with anesthetics. People who plan to undergo surgery requiring anesthesia should stop taking EPO 2 weeks ahead of time. Borage seed oil, and possibly other sources of GLA, should not be taken during pregnancy because they may harm the fetus and induce early labor.

Avoid doses of GLA greater than 3, mg per day. At that level, an increase in inflammation may occur. Side effects of EPO can include occasional headache, abdominal pain, nausea, and loose stools.

In animal studies, GLA is reported to decrease blood pressure. Early results in human studies do not show consistent changes in blood pressure. Laboratory studies suggest that omega-6 fatty acids, such as the fats found in corn oil, promote the growth of prostate tumor cells. Until more research is done, health professionals recommend not taking omega-6 fatty acids, including GLA, if you are at risk of or have prostate cancer. If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use omega-6 supplements without talking to your health care provider first.

Blood-thinning medications: People taking blood thinners, including warfarin Coumadin or clopidogrel Plavix , should not take omega-6 fatty acid supplements without a doctor's supervision. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of bleeding.

Ceftazidime: GLA may increase the effectiveness of ceftazidime. Ceftazidime, an antibiotic, is used against a variety of bacterial infections. Chemotherapy for cancer: GLA may increase the effects of anti-cancer treatments, such as doxorubicin, cisplatin, carboplatin, idarubicin, mitoxantrone, tamoxifen, vincristine, and vinblastine.

Cyclosporine: Cyclosporine is a medication used to suppress the immune system after organ transplantation. Taking omega-6 fatty acids with cyclosporine may increase the immunosuppressive effects of this medication. It may also protect against kidney damage, which is a potential side effect from cyclosporine.

Phenothiazines: People taking a class of medications called phenothiazines to treat schizophrenia should not take EPO. EPO may interact with these medications and increase the risk of seizures. The same may be true for other omega-6 supplements. These medications include:. Dietary intake in population-based adolescents: support for a relationship between eating disorder symptoms, low fatty acid intake and depressive symptoms.

J Hum Nutr Diet. Omega 3 and 6 oils for primary prevention of allergic disease: systematic review and meta-analysis. Epub Apr 7. New insights into the health effects of dietary saturated and omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. BMC Med. Intervention with flaxseed and borage oil supplements modulates skin condition in women. Br J Nutr. Inverse association between prostatic polyunsaturated fatty acid and risk of locally advanced prostate carcinoma. Co-supplementation of healthy women with fish oil and evening primrose oil increases plasma docosahexaenoic acid, gamma-linolenic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid levels without reducing arachidonic acid concentrations.

Harris W. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids: partners in prevention. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in maternal diet, breast milk, and serum lipid fattty acids of infants in relation to atopy. A person may consider following the recommendations of health authorities on the adequate intake AI of omega-6 fatty acids and unsaturated fats in general.

These are as follows:. The U. Department of Agriculture USDA offer some advice on consuming unsaturated fats, but they do not provide specific guidance on omega-6 fatty acids. They also advise people to avoid trans fats altogether. People aiming to increase their intake of healthful fats should adjust the ratio of fats in their diet by increasing their consumption of omega-3 fats and monounsaturated fats, which are another type of heart-healthy fat. Some research suggests that eating more omega-6 fats and not enough omega-3 fats can potentially lead to health problems.

It is important to remember that some of these foods, especially the oils with the highest omega-6 content, contain little to no omega-3 fatty acids. If a person eats these foods, they should balance their omega-6 intake with omegarich foods, such as fatty fish, flaxseeds , seaweed, and walnuts. It is also important to note that many fried and processed foods contain corn, cottonseed, or soybean oil.

If a person eats a lot of these foods, their omega-6 intake may be much higher than their omega-3 intake. People may take supplements that contain omega-6, omega-3, or a combination of omega-3, omega-6, and omega These supplements often contain fish oil , flaxseed oil, or borage seed oil. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health say that omega-3 supplements do not reduce the risk of heart disease. However, they may help with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and may also help lower triglyceride levels.

As researchers have not widely studied these supplements, it is best for a person to ask their doctor before taking any type of fatty acid supplement. Although omega-6 fats are a type of heart-healthy unsaturated fat, people should consume them in moderation. As with all fats, omega-6 has 9 calories per gram and can lead to an excessive calorie intake if people eat too many foods containing them.

As experts do not agree on whether omega-6 fats are harmful , the best approach may be to focus on a variety of healthful, whole foods that contain different types of unsaturated fats. Most people may benefit from eating a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as monounsaturated fats. If a person has questions about a healthful diet or is interested in taking supplements, they should speak with a doctor about the best choices for them.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients.