A growing body of research is challenging the controversial reputation of omega-6 fatty acids, suggesting that a diet rich in linoleic acid — the main omega-6 found in nuts and vegetable oils — may substantially lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. These findings signal important implications for Thai health, where heart disease and diabetes are among the leading causes of illness and death.
Cardiometabolic health, or the collective well-being of the heart, blood vessels, and metabolic systems, is a crucial marker of long-term health outcomes. In Thailand, the dual threats of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes profoundly impact communities, families, and the nation’s economy. Traditional Thai diets, once centred on fresh produce, fish, rice, and moderate use of oils, are rapidly converging with global food trends — bringing concerns over the increased consumption of processed foods and changing fat profiles. Against this backdrop, understanding the impact of dietary fats on health is especially relevant for Thai readers seeking guidance in a sea of conflicting nutrition advice.
Two recent studies led by researchers at the School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, and the Midwest Biomedical Research group, were presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s NUTRITION 2025 conference. Drawing from medical data of nearly 1,900 adults with diverse backgrounds, including age, sex, and body composition, the scientists focused on levels of linoleic acid (a predominant omega-6 fatty acid) found in participants’ blood. The results were striking: individuals with higher blood levels of linoleic acid consistently exhibited lower markers of chronic inflammation, healthier blood sugar regulation, and even more favourable body mass index (BMI).
Chronic inflammation has long been recognised as a driver of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, which are leading causes of death worldwide and in Thailand. Biomarkers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and glycoprotein acetyls, measured in the study, are crucial predictors of heart attack and stroke risk. Contrary to widespread online claims that “seed oils” — including corn and soybean oil, popular in Thai commercial cooking — are inflammatory, the research saw higher linoleic acid levels linked to lower inflammation, debunking the notion that omega-6 is inherently harmful.
As the chief scientist behind the study explained to Medical News Today, “Our findings do not support the view that higher linoleic acid intake is associated with more inflammation. In fact, they are more consistent with the opposite view because higher linoleic acid was associated with lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers.” He also emphasised, “Lifestyle modification is the cornerstone of efforts to minimize cardiometabolic risks. We have a large body of evidence to demonstrate that lifestyle interventions can improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.” (Medical News Today)
Supporting this, an interventional cardiologist, cited in the same article, noted: “This research found that increased blood levels of linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) were associated with lower blood glucose levels and lower levels of inflammatory markers… in line with our understanding of linoleic acid — found in vegetable oil, nuts, and seeds — as likely being beneficial to cardiometabolic health.” The expert further commented that with heart disease continuing to burden societies globally, lifestyle modifications including diet are essential for improving public health outcomes.
For Thai readers, the findings are timely. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among adults in Thailand has been rising steadily, while cardiovascular diseases regularly rank among the nation’s top causes of death. Refined seed oils such as soybean and corn oil are common ingredients in modern Thai home kitchens, street food stalls, and restaurants. Meanwhile, traditional snacks incorporate peanuts, sunflower seeds, and other omega-6-rich foods. Misinformation and imported diet fads, however, have fuelled fears over these staples, leading some to eschew seed oils entirely in favour of higher-priced alternatives such as coconut or olive oil.
However, the studies emphasise caution: these were observational rather than intervention studies, meaning they tracked associations but could not firmly prove cause and effect. Still, their conclusions echo previous research — including large-scale international studies — which have generally found that higher dietary linoleic acid and overall omega-6 consumption correlate with lower risks of developing type 2 diabetes and improved cardiometabolic markers (PubMed). For example, a meta-analysis published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology suggested that higher levels of linoleic acid reduced diabetes risk by 35% (The Lancet). However, higher consumption should not come at the expense of overall dietary quality — moderation, variety, and traditional Thai food wisdom still matter.
Historically, Thai diets included many sources of unsaturated fatty acids — not only from vegetable oils and nuts, but also fish, which provide beneficial omega-3s. The shift toward more processed foods, higher sugar intake, and sedentary lifestyles threatens this balance. Innovative public health campaigns in Thailand have acknowledged this reality, encouraging more consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and the incorporation of healthy plant-based oils.
Looking forward, the path to healthier hearts and lower diabetes risk in Thailand will likely require both clear scientific communication and attention to cultural food preferences. Experts recommend that, rather than fearing “seed oils,” Thais should focus on avoiding trans fats and highly processed foods, moderating overall fat intake, and favouring lightly cooked dishes that preserve the integrity of vegetable oils and nuts. Public health officials may find these findings useful for updating nutritional guidelines and refuting food myths that circulate on social media.
As always, more clinical research — including intervention studies — is still needed to definitively establish the benefits and any risks of increased omega-6 intake across different diets and populations. For now, the message is one of balanced realism: consuming nuts, seeds, and their oils in reasonable amounts appears compatible with good cardiometabolic health, as long as the overall diet follows the time-honoured principle of moderation.
Thai readers interested in improving heart and metabolic health should consider the following practical recommendations:
- Integrate a variety of unsalted nuts and seeds into meals and snacks.
- Use plant-based oils with high linoleic acid content, such as soybean, corn, and sunflower oil, for stir-fries, dressings, and light cooking — but avoid deep frying.
- Limit processed foods high in sugar and trans fats, which contribute to poor cardiometabolic outcomes.
- Pair healthy fats with the traditional Thai approach: plenty of fresh vegetables, fish, and moderate rice portions.
- Stay informed through credible health sources rather than following unverified information online.
- Prioritise regular physical activity and weight management to further reduce heart and diabetes risk.
For more details on the findings and expert perspectives, readers may refer directly to the report published by Medical News Today.