The purpose of this entry was to summarize human intervention trials that investigated the effects of linoleic acid consumption on lipid risk markers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in healthy individuals. It also provided mechanistic details, and dietary recommendations for linoleic acid. Future research directions were also discussed. The findings from this entry demonstrated that linoleic acid consumption decreases CVD risk markers in healthy individuals.
Linoleic acid (LA), is an essential omega-6 (or n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)[1][2][3]. IFor example, it has been suggested that replacement of saturated fat with LA decreases serum cholesterol, but does not decrease the risk of death from coronary heart disease (CHD)[4]. Additionally, there has been concern that consuming high amounts of LA may increase the risk of inflammation[5]. Therefore, this entry reviewed human intervention trials in which cardiovascular disease lipid risk markers were analyzed following consumption of LA. The results will provide insights regarding recommendations of LA to decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Table 1. Oil sources of linoleic acid (per 100 g) 1.
Oils |
Energy (Kcal) |
Total Lipid (g) |
Linoleic Acid (g) |
Alpha-Linolenic Acid (g) |
Total Saturated Fat (g) |
Canola oil |
884 |
100 |
18.6 |
9.14 |
7.37 |
Corn oil |
900 |
100 |
53.5 |
1.16 |
13.0 |
Cottonseed oil |
884 |
100 |
51.9 |
0.20 |
25.9 |
Grapeseed oil |
884 |
100 |
69.6 |
0.10 |
9.60 |
Olive oil |
884 |
100 |
9.76 |
0.76 |
13.8 |
Peanut oil |
884 |
100 |
32.0 |
0.00 |
16.9 |
Safflower oil |
884 |
100 |
12.7 |
0.10 |
7.54 |
Sesame oil |
884 |
100 |
41.3 |
0.30 |
14.2 |
Soybean oil |
884 |
100 |
51.0 |
6.79 |
15.7 |
Sunflower oil |
884 |
100 |
65.7 |
0.00 |
10.3 |
Walnut oil |
884 |
100 |
52.9 |
10.4 |
9.10 |
1 Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Data Central[6].
Table 2. Food sources of linoleic acid (per 1 ounce [28.3495 g]) 1.
Food Sources |
Energy (Kcal) |
Total Lipid (g) |
Linoleic Acid (g) |
Alpha-Linolenic Acid (g) |
Total Saturated Fat (g) |
Almonds |
164 |
14.2 |
3.49 |
0.001 |
1.08 |
Brazil nuts |
185 |
18.8 |
6.82 |
0.01 |
4.52 |
Cashews |
157 |
12.4 |
2.21 |
0.018 |
2.21 |
Pecans |
196 |
20.4 |
5.85 |
0.28 |
1.75 |
Pine nuts |
191 |
19.4 |
9.4 |
0.046 |
1.39 |
Pistachios |
159 |
12.8 |
4.0 |
0.082 |
1.68 |
Pumpkin seeds |
163 |
13.9 |
5.55 |
0.031 |
2.42 |
Sesame seeds |
159 |
13.4 |
5.78 |
0.102 |
1.88 |
Sunflower seeds |
165 |
14.1 |
9.29 |
0.02 |
1.48 |
Walnuts |
185 |
18.5 |
10.8 |
2.57 |
1.74 |
1 Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Data Central[6].