New studies state that with higher serum linoleic acid levels, CRP levels will be lower. The most common
polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid is linoleic acid. University of Eastern Finland conducted the
research, with findings being published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
High intakes of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been speculated to possibly increase risk of
chronic diseases by way of promoting low grade inflammation among other things. This stands to
reasons in theory as linoleum acid is turned into arachnid acid which is then converted into compounds
that promote inflammation in the body. Linoleum acid level is determined by diet, with the main sources
being nuts, seeds, plant based spreads, and vegetable oils.
Using 1287 healthy men in the age grouping of 42-60 studies were done in which CRP levels were
measured in 1984-1989 at the University of Eastern Finland for the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk
Factor Study. This research found that low serum linoleic acid levels were associated with higher levels
of CRP. The men were put into 4 groups based on serum linoleic levels. Probability for elevated CPR
were 53% lower in the highest quarter when they were compared to the lowest ones. Other serum
omega-6 fatty acids were not associated to CRP levels such as dihomo-y- linolenic acid, arachidonic acid,
and gamma-linolenic acid.
This current research does support the earlier findings. These new studies have shown even high intake
of linoleic acid will not increase inflammatory responses, and that it does not have any significant effect
on arachidonic acid levels. In the human body linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid are converted into
several compounds that can alleviate inflammation, not just into inflammation-promoting compounds.
Using these new findings, it can be concluded the theory to which linoleic acid promotes inflammation
by increasing arachidonic acid levels, is just too simplified.
