An article in the British Journal of Nutrition reports the results of an extensive search of the available scientific literature regarding the role of omega-6 fats, omega-3 fats, and trans fats in the diet. They found that for both non-fatal myocardial infarction and death from heart disease, the risk reduction for a mixed diet of both omega-3 and omega-6 fats was 22 percent. On the other hand, diets higher in omega-6 fats and lower in omega-3’s resulted in an 13 percent increase in the risk.
According to the study:
“Risk ... was significantly higher in [omega]-6 specific PUFA diets compared to mixed ... diets ... Advice to specifically increase [omega]-6 PUFA intake ... is unlikely to provide the intended benefits, and may actually increase the risks of ... death.”
It is information like this that makes it all the more astonishing that the American Heart Association is still recommending that you increase your intake of omega-6 fats.