Thursday, January 29, 2009

Omega-6 Lowers Heart Disease Risk

TEHRAN , Jan 28 (FNA)- American Heart Association scientists suggest that omega-6 fatty acids should account for 5 to 10 percent of the daily caloric intake.

Despite previous studies indicating that omega-6 fatty acids increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by promoting inflammatory processes, a new study shows that low amounts of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids lower the risk of coronary heart disease.

According to a study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, omega-6 fatty acids do not alter the levels of inflammatory markers or metabolic parameters nor do they influence the platelet function.

Previous studies had reported the cholesterol-lowering effects of linoleic acid, the primary source of omega-6 in food, adding that the substance cannot be synthesized by humans and is only found in vegetable oils such as corn and sunflower oil.

Scientists concluded that the omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake does not have any significant effects on the risk of stroke or cancer.

A man takes part in - and films - a march by indigenous people in Belem, Brazil, to raise attention about saving the Amazon forest, as the annual World Social Forum gets under way there.-Courtesy : BBC

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