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Medical News Today
2 days ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Seed oils: Omega-6 fatty acids may lower diabetes, heart disease risk
Higher linoleic acid levels may help lower heart disease and diabetes risk, a new study finds. JavierCardiometabolic health is a gauge of the fitness of the body's cardiovascular and metabolic systems. Poor cardiometabolic health may increase a person's risk for cardiometabolic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes . . Lifestyle factors such as diet can also impact a person's cardiometabolic health. Two new studies recently presented report that consuming a diet higher in linoleic acid, or omega-6 fatty acids, may help support cardiometabolic health, and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 'Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases — mainly heart attack and stroke — are the leading cause of death in the U.S.,' Kevin C. Maki, PhD, adjunct professor in the School of Public Health-Bloomington at Indiana University and chief scientist at Midwest Biomedical Research told Medical News Today . 'Type 2 diabetes is very common — about 10% of the adult population — and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as well as other issues such as kidney failure.' 'It is well accepted that lifestyle — diet, physical activity, smoking, sleep , etc. — is important for the development of these cardiometabolic disorders,' Maki continued. 'Lifestyle modification is the cornerstone of efforts to minimize cardiometabolic risks. We have a large body of evidence to demonstrate that lifestyle interventions can improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.' Maki is the lead author of two new studies recently presented at the American Society for Nutrition's annual meeting, NUTRITION 2025, which has found that consuming a diet higher in the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid may help support cardiometabolic health, and lower a person's risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. For these studies, researchers analyzed medical data from 1,894 adult participants of an observational study focused on COVID-19. Study participants had an average age of 50, an average body mass index (BMI) of 29, and more than half identified as female and non-Hispanic White. Scientists focused on the amount of linoleic acid found in the serum in the blood of all participants. Are seed oils bad? 'Linoleic acid is found mainly in vegetable oils that are used in cooking and are ingredients in many food products. Recently, there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding 'seed oils' such as corn oil and soybean oil. Some have claimed that these seed oils, which are rich in linoleic acid, cause inflammation.' — Kevin C. Maki, PhD 'The level of linoleic acid in the blood is influenced by how much is consumed in the diet — higher intake leading to a higher level in the blood,' Maki continued. 'We were interested in looking at the level of linoleic acid in the blood to see if it would be associated with cardiometabolic risk factors, specifically biomarkers of inflammation and blood glucose (sugar) regulation.' Upon analysis, Maki and his team found that study participants with a higher concentration of linoleic acid in their blood serum were linked to lower levels of the inflammation biomarkers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and glycoprotein acetyls. 'Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases,' Maki explained. 'In particular, many studies have shown that a higher level of C-reactive protein is associated with increased risks for heart attack and stroke. There are also studies showing that drugs that reduce inflammation lower risks for heart attack and stroke.' Are omega-6 fatty acids inflammatory? 'Our findings do not support the view that higher linoleic acid intake is associated with more inflammation. In fact, they are more consistent with the opposite view because higher linoleic acid was associated with lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers.' — Kevin C. Maki, PhD 'Some caution is needed because this was not an intervention study, so we cannot say that this association is cause and effect,' Maki added. 'We can only say that we found the opposite of what would be predicted if linoleic acid was having a pro-inflammatory effect.' Additionally, researchers found these same participants with more linoleic acid in their serum also experienced more favorable levels of BMI and biomarkers of glucose homeostasis, or even blood sugar levels. 'Higher BMI, along with higher fasting levels of glucose and insulin are risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have shown that a higher circulating level of linoleic acid is associated with lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Our results are consistent with those, since they show lower levels of risk factors for type 2 diabetes in those with higher levels of linoleic acid in the blood.' — Kevin C. Maki, PhD 'While we have to be cautious about interpretation of the results, our findings are consistent with favorable effects of linoleic acid consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors and not with unfavorable effects, as has been claimed by some online influencers,' Maki said. 'Intervention studies will be needed to further investigate the influence of changing intake of linoleic acid on the risk factors we studied,' he added. MNT had the opportunity to speak with Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, about these studies. 'This research found that increased blood levels of linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) were associated with lower blood glucose levels and lower levels of inflammatory markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and glycoprotein acetyls,' Chen commented. 'These findings are in line with our understanding of linoleic acid — found in vegetable oil, nuts, and seeds — as likely being beneficial to cardiometabolic health.' 'Heart disease continues to be one of the major disease burdens in our society. Lifestyle modifications such as diet improvements are essential in helping us improve cardiometabolic health in our patients and are a necessary part of improving health outcomes,' he said. 'Future research should prospectively study the impact of increased linoleic intake in the diet on the development of cardiovascular disease,' he added. For readers who are now thinking about increasing their linoleic acid intake to possibly improve their cardiometabolic health, Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight, urged them to remember that the biomarkers measured in the studies are influenced by a variety of factors and nutrition science is complex. Why nutrition is more than one 'magic' ingredient 'Nutrition science is rarely about one nutrient in isolation — context is everything. Nutrition is about patterns, not just parts. Linoleic acid is an essential omega-6 fatty acid, and like all nutrients, its benefit depends on the company it keeps. Foods that naturally contain linoleic acid — like sunflower seeds, walnuts, tofu, eggs, and fish — come packaged with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals, not just isolated fats.' — Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN 'Consider linoleic and other fatty acids to be an accessory or an assistant in helping bring out the food's flavor, such as in a saute, marinade, sauce, or a vehicle to add spice, herbs, or enhance mouthfeel and moisture,' she continued. 'Chronic low-grade inflammation can be exacerbated from poor dietary sources of linoleic acid, so those that have conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome do need to be aware of overall patterns, quality of ingredients, and amounts,' Richard added. Omega-3 vs. omega-6 ratio important 'It is important to note the necessary and optimal balance of the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (is) something a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can assist in assessing.' — Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN Diabetes Type 2 Heart Disease Cardiovascular / Cardiology Nutrition / Diet
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bloomington intersection shut down due to concrete spill; motorcyclists warned
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Motorcycles should avoid the West Washington Street and North Morris Avenue intersection, as sand was put on the road due to a concrete spill. Just before 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, the city of Bloomington announced the intersection had been closed down due to a concrete spill. They urged everyone to avoid the area while clean up is underway and thanked everyone for their patience. Katherine Murphy, a city spokesperson, said that the road is open, but motorcycles should avoid it. 'The intersection is open but has sand on it, specifically motorcycles should avoid,' she said. No cause of the spill was made immediately available. This story will be updated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Parts of Interstate 494 will be closed from Friday to Monday, MN DOT says
Section of I-494 in Bloomington closed for weekend road work Section of I-494 in Bloomington closed for weekend road work Section of I-494 in Bloomington closed for weekend road work If there's one thing Minnesotans can count on seeing, its orange cones lining the streets as soon as snow clears. "It's a constant struggle," said Minneapolis resident Lindsey Fine. Bloomington resident Nicholas Severson echoed Fine's frustration saying, "I was disappointed, at the same time we live in Minnesota." Though frustrations may continue to rise as one of the state's busiest throughfares is offline for upgrades: Interstate 494. Kent Barnard with the Minnesota Department of Transportation says well over 100,000 drivers use the road every day. Hence, the reason for construction. It's time for some much-needed TLC. Barnard says construction aims to create "smoother road surface and improve accessibility for people out there driving improve traffic flow." Aesthetics aside, some repairs are crucial. Including, replacing bridges. That's why both directions of Interstate 494 are shut down between Highways 100 and 77 near Richfield from Friday night to Monday morning. Drivers like Fine are in the crosshairs, trying to maneuver through. "These are major roads that we need to use to get to where we are going, and we can't," said Fine. Detours will be marked but if you're travelling westbound in I-494 you can use northbound Highway 77 to westbound Highway 62. Drivers travelling eastbound on I-494 can hop on northbound Highway 100 to eastbound Highway 62. "That congestion is already terrible, and I feel bad for the people who will deal with that," said Severson. If you have plans to travel out of state this weekend, know that airport access will also be impacted. The highway will re-open Monday at 5 a.m.
E&E News
5 days ago
- Health
- E&E News
Ex-EPA appointee returns to academia
Former EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe is returning to Indiana University for a one-year appointment that will include climate work. Starting in July, she will hold several different positions, serving as a visiting professor at the Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs while also working as a senior policy adviser at the university's Environmental Resilience Institute. There, she will advance a relaunch of the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment, according to a Wednesday news release from the school, based in Bloomington, Indiana. 'Janet is a bridge builder who understands how to bring people together to address environmental threats and improve the health and safety of communities,' said Gabe Filippelli, the institute's executive director, in the release. 'The institute is thrilled to welcome Janet back to IU as we expand efforts to assist Hoosier communities with their climate goals.' Advertisement Also included in McCabe's portfolio will be a role as distinguished scholar at the university's law school.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A State Senator has secured $800,000 for additions to Constitution Trail
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — An Illinois State Senator has received $800,000 to help with the expansion of the Constitution Trail in Bloomington. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) was able to secure funding through the Illinois Department of Transportation that will help improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on the trail, he said in a news release. 'Expanding Constitution Trail provides our residents with safe and accessible pathways to commute, exercise, and enjoy the outdoors,' Koehler said. 'Projects like this improve quality of life, encourage active transportation, and foster more connected communities.' The trail extension will add a 10-foot-wide path designed to be multi-use so pedestrians and cyclists alike can enjoy the trail, he said. The new section will run parallel to Bunn Street before it heads northwest and crosses, using an already existing path underneath Interstate 55 Business in the southeast part of Bloomington, he said. The funds are part of a statewide investment that looks to improve alternative transportation methods, such as biking and walking, for safer travel for Illinoisans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
