Omega-6: benefits and harms to the human body

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated. A feature of their structure is double carbon bonds. It is she who determines the basic qualities of acids, so valued by man.

What to expect?

Omega-6 acid has a rather diverse biological effect on the human body. This phenomenon is associated with the conversion of the substance into N-6 eicosanoids, which, in turn, react with receptors. Analyzes reveal the presence of these compounds in a variety of tissues and organs.

Arachidonic acid is believed to have the strongest effect on humans. Once in the body, under the influence of active substances, it breaks down, producing leukotrienes, prostaglandins. They, in turn, are indispensable for inflammation, as they play the role of mediators. The benefits and harms of Omega-3, 6, 9 have been known to science for a long time. In part, these effects are based on the interaction between fatty acids. For example, Omega-6 competes with Omega-3. Mobilization, deposition, conversion of active substances depend on this. And, of course, these compounds have a rather strong effect on N-3, N-6 precursors.

In total, about 10 varieties are classified as Omega-6fatty acids. The most studied in science are linoleic, arachidonic. The benefits of Omega-6 fatty acids of these types have been proven in medicine for a long time - however, only at a reasonable concentration in the body.

Danger: there is always

Relatively recent medical studies have shown that the benefits of Omega-6 for women and men are observed only when the concentration of components in the body is within the normal range. As soon as the limit value is exceeded, the compounds become much more harmful than beneficial. This is expressed in the increased likelihood of a number of serious diseases.

In recent years, many diets are built in such a way that food is rich in Omega-6, but contains little Omega-3. Thanks to this approach, the problem of an overabundance of Omega-6 in the diet has become quite relevant. It is necessary to eat, maintaining the ratio between these two groups of fatty acids 1:1, but not more than 4:1. In practice, many dietary products in our time, when following their instructions for use, Omega-6 enters the body in an amount that is 20-30 times higher than the volume of Omega-3. This provokes a metabolic disorder and initiates various diseases.

Main Risks

The use of Omega-6 in such high doses can provoke:

• arthritis;
• arthrosis;
• atherosclerosis;
• asthmatic diseases;
• vascular problems;
• clots;
• inflammation;
• immunity suppression;
• proliferationtumors.

Optimization of the situation can be achieved by balancing the volumes of Omega-3, 6 and 9 entering the body. This is done by adding special components to the main menu. You can switch to sports nutrition.

Omega-6: where to get it?

Reviews on Omega-6 differ in many ways, both due to the fact that people do not properly balance the diet, and because of the sources of this fatty acid. In some cases, compounds enter the body with various foods that provoke negative reactions. Major Sources of Omega-6 Fatty Acids:

• oils extracted from plants;
• nuts;
• meat of various birds.

Benefit: Obvious when applied correctly

Disputes about the dangers and benefits of Omega-6 and 9 will not subside, probably for many more years. But there are few scientists who are willing to risk and deny the positive effects achieved by the correct intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In particular, omega-6 includes gamma-linolenic, for which it is known for certain that the effect on humans is as follows:

• skin retains elasticity;
• PMS is going away;
• nails are strong for a long time.

Acid is good for fighting disease:

• diabetes;
• sclerosis;
• skin diseases;
• arthritis.

So, the benefits and harms of Omega-6 for women are especially noticeable. The first - with proper consumption, the second - with incorrect consumption. But, you see, when so many suffer from monthly manifestations of PMS, choosing a diet with the rightthe ratio of acids is not too big a price to pay for maintaining the peace of both your own and those close to you.

The benefits and harms of products

The benefits and harms of Omega-6 directly depend on how acids enter the body. It has already been indicated above that vegetable oils are the main source of compounds. This does not mean that you need to eat more oil in order to saturate the body with omega-6. In reality, in our country, residents already absorb too large volumes of such products, as well as fat, lard.

It will be beneficial to consume sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids in moderation. Say, a week - no more than three pieces of fat. And it's not just about acids - in this product there are other compounds that are useful for humans, but are almost never found anywhere. But the high quality of the oil is the main criterion for obtaining a sufficient amount of Omega-6 in food. Simply put, even large volumes of a low-quality product will not help, but high-level food will become a source of all the necessary components. Preference should be given to cold-pressed options. Do not cook with unrefined oils.

A lot or a little?

The benefits and harms of Omega-6 directly depend on the amount of components in food. As soon as the norm is exceeded, there is a strong negative effect on immunity, pressure and the condition of the heart and blood vessels in general. In some cases, an excess of fatty acids provokes oncological processes. This is most obvious when looking at the statistics. American medicine, where the inhabitants of the country abuse fast food, fatty meat dishes and fast food. All of these foods are high in Omega-6, which leads to an overabundance of substances in the human body.

But a deficiency also leads to bad consequences: hair falls out, nails exfoliate, the liver does not cope with its functions. In addition, people suffer from eczema, and children are often diagnosed with stunting.

Effect of fatty acids

The benefits and harms of Omega-6 are directly related to the characteristics of the impact at the cellular level. When taking polyunsaturated fatty acids in food, the blood becomes thicker, more viscous, and the metabolism slows down. Accordingly, an excess of components in the blood leads to:

• overweight;
• diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• asthmatic disorders;
• inflammation.

But if the diet is adjusted so that the concentration is in the correct ratio of Omega-3 and 9, and also that there are enough substances in general, then blood clotting is assessed as a positive factor. It also lowers cholesterol levels. Fatty acids are essential elements of cell membranes.

Scientists have found that Omega-3 is present in fairly high concentrations in living beings leading an active lifestyle. These are birds, some mammals. But if the animal moves relatively little, then Omega-6 prevails. So its highest concentrationfound in elephants, seals and bears.

Omega-6: benefits and harms combined with other factors

It has been pointed out that the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids primarily depends on how much of the components enter the body. In recent years, humanity has been living with habits that contribute to a glut of Omega-6. The obvious proof is the disease map inherent in our culture. Most often, doctors are faced with heart attacks, strokes, overweight and arthritis.

At the same time, it cannot be argued that Omega-6 is the only source of these problems. This is an additional factor that shows the result in combination with a number of others. So, our food is a source of large amounts of saturated fats, whose harm to humans has long been scientifically proven. Milk, meat are rich in such components. In addition, people consume huge amounts of s alt. An excess of "white death" has an extremely depressing effect on blood vessels, the heart - a load, pressure increases. In addition, s alt retains water in the body, provokes the accumulation of extra pounds. Together, all these factors only increase the negative impact of excess Omega-6.

But the benefits are undeniable

Of course, the above information can be intimidating. But it should be understood that negative reactions are possible only if the balance is disturbed. If you manage to choose the right diet and provide the body with the correct amount of fatty acids without an overabundance and a violation in favor of Omega-3, 6 or 9, then there is no doubt: he alth will be normal for a long time.

Contentin the menu Omega-6 in the correct concentration is one of the most effective methods of dealing with extremely harmful and dangerous cholesterol, which provokes the appearance of plaques on the vessels. If you have a history of bone or joint disease, a well-formulated diet rich in omega-6 will help to eliminate the possibility of inflammation.

Clinical studies have shown that in chronic sclerosis Omega-6 has a strong positive effect on the patient. This is true both for the onset of the disease and for the progressive stage. No less reliably known is the positive effect in diabetes mellitus. This disease is associated with a violation of the connections of nerve fibers, which are restored by means of gamma-linolenic acid.

Omega-6: mental and mental development under control

If you manage to make a diet rich in Omega-6 to the right extent, this has a positive effect on the state of the brain. The organ functions more actively, more efficiently, and the neurons are protected from harmful influences. No wonder Omega-6 is considered an effective method of therapy for hypertension, depression and inflammatory processes in various body systems.

By the way, the benefits of fatty acids have been proven in impotence, inability to have children and endometriosis. In addition, they have a positive effect on patients with prostatitis.

As for depression, this situation deserves special attention. If the human body does not receive the right amount of Omega-6, it quickly affectsworking capacity, people get tired, face chronic fatigue, depression develops rapidly. This is especially difficult to tolerate against the background of memory impairment and other he alth problems. But the normalization of the diet leads to the fact that the mood returns to normal. As for women who tend to suffer from PMS, here the effect of Omega-6 on mood is noticeable from month to month - hormonal changes do not affect the psyche so much, nervousness and irritability disappear. This makes life easier and more enjoyable not only for the woman herself, but also for her relatives, friends and colleagues.

Hair and skin: immediate benefits

Visually, the effect on the human body of Omega-6 is noticeable most of all in the condition of hair, nails and skin. Moreover, it equally reflects both the lack of polyunsaturated fatty acids and their excess. The components are necessary for the skin to regenerate, and the hair to grow, the nail plate to be strong and he althy. Omega-6 is useful in the regeneration of a wide variety of tissues.

If a person suffers from eczema, regular intake of normal amounts of Omega-6 helps to eliminate most of the symptoms of the disease. Inflammation disappears, skin irritation is relieved.

Hair gets a he althy, beautiful shine. Fragility goes away, the ends stop splitting. Along the entire length of the hair, the scales fit snugly against the trunk. This has a positive effect on the hair as a whole: hair loss is normal, density remains with age.

He althy ratio - what is it?

To make a person feel good, you need sucha diet that would supply the body with omega-3, 6 and 9 in the correct ratio. It must be remembered that the absolute amount of fatty acids entering the blood is much less important than the relative one.

As for Omega-3 and Omega-6, doctors say that these components should enter the human body in approximately equal doses. With normal nutrition, this ratio is maintained in the human brain. Within the normal range, there will be an excess of the concentration of Omega-6 over Omega-3 up to four times, but not more.

The reason is that it is not Omega-3 and 6 that actually affect the body, but these two types of fatty acids together. They interact with each other, and it is precisely such reactions that benefit all human systems and organs. Omega-3 and Omega-6 individually affect the body in almost the opposite way. As soon as both are inside, a balancing interaction begins. Already from this explanation it is clear why the optimal balance is one to one.