High Omega‑6 Intake is Fueling Chronic Inflammation.

A 2018 editorial in Open Heart by DiNicolantonio & O’Keefe highlights that the typical Western diet—with high omega-6 and low omega-3 fats—promotes inflammation linked to heart disease and chronic illness. They stress the importance of keeping omega‑6/omega‑3 ratios low to reduce inflammatory signaling like platelet aggregation and oxidative stress.

Omega‑6 fats (like linoleic acid) tend to increase pro-inflammatory molecules, while omega‑3s (EPA, DHA) produce anti-inflammatory effects and protect blood vessels. The editorial reviews evidence suggesting healthier cardiovascular outcomes emerge when intake shifts toward more omega‑3s from fish oil and fatty fish.

Balance matters: swap vegetable oils (e.g., corn, soybean) for omega-3 sources like fatty fish, fish oil supplements, eggs, and pasture-fed meat to lower inflammation and support heart and metabolic health.