03.01.09
At least 5-10% of calories should come from omega 6 fatty acids, as part of a heart-healthy diet, according to a recently published science advisory from the American Heart Association, Dallas, TX. Most Americans actually get enough of these oils in the foods they are currently eating, such as nuts, cooking oils and salad dressings, the advisory states. Recommended daily servings of omega 6 depend on physical activity level, age and gender, but range from 12 to 22 grams per day. Linoleic acid (LA) is the main omega 6 fatty acid found in foods, accounting for 85-90% of the dietary omega 6 PUFA. The advisory reviewed a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials and more than 24 observational, cohort, case/control and ecological reports. Observational studies showed that people who ate the most omega 6 fatty acids usually had the lowest rate of heart disease. A meta-analysis of several trials also indicated that replacing saturated fats with PUFAs lowered risk for heart disease events by 24%.