Evidence Suggests Linoleic Acid Exerts Health Benefits Beyond Cardiovascular Disease: A Brief Review of Clinical and Observational Studies

Purpose of review: Questions challenging the healthfulness of diets high in linoleic acid (LA) and seed oils, which are major sources of this essential fatty acid, have recently arisen. These questions are especially relevant to adherents of plant-based diets as their LA intake is higher than the general population. Some maintain that LA increases inflammation and oxidative stress and for these reasons, despite its ability to lower circulating LDL-cholesterol levels when replacing saturated fat, does not lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Because most of the discussion about LA has focused on CVD, the primary focus of this manuscript is to examine the effects of LA on health outcomes aside from CVD.