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What Is Omega 6?

Omega-6 is a family of fatty acids that are essential to human health. Because the body cannot product Omega-6 fatty acids naturally, they must be obtained from food. Omega-6 fatty acids are considered polyunsaturated fatty acids. The American Heart Association reports that polyunsaturated fats can have health benefits when consumed in the recommended amounts.

  1. Dietary sources

    • The American Heart Association states that the recommended daily servings of Omega-6 depend on the physical activity level, age and gender of the individual, but typically range from 12 to 22 grams per day. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in most oils we eat, including: sunflower, safflower, corn, cottonseed and soybean oils. Additionally, you can ingest Omega-6 through dietary supplement oils, such as evening primrose and black currant oils.

    Versus Omega-3

    • Omega-3 fatty acids are another important group of essential fatty acids. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. Modern Western diets typically have a ratio of ten to one for Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association recommends that the ideal ratio should be four to one or lower. This imbalance can contribute to long-term diseases including: heart disease, cancer, asthma, arthritis and depression.

    Health Benefits

    • When you consume Omega-6 fatty acids in the correct ratio to Omega-3 fatty acids, plenty of health benefits are revealed. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some of these benefits include: reduced aches and pains from rheumatoid arthritis, relief of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) discomforts, reduced symptoms of eczema and psoriasis, improved symptoms and behaviors associated with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and reduction of severity of acne.

    Negative Health Effects

    • According to the American Heart Association, some medical research suggests that consuming excessive levels of Omega-6 fatty acids may increase the probability of diseases and depression. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, take Omega-6 dietary supplements only under the supervision of a health care provider. Dosage matters when it comes to deciding if an Omega-6 supplement is right for your diet.

    Precautions

    • According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Omega-6 supplements may cause a negative interaction for some individuals who have certain conditions, or who are taking certain types of medication. Individuals with seizure disorders should not take Omega-6 as it may induce the incidence of seizures. Individuals taking the following medications should also avoid Omega-6 supplements: blood thinning medications, the antibiotics Ceftazidime and Cyclosporine for organ transplants. Additionally, individuals receiving chemotherapy for cancer should avoid Omega-6 supplements.

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