Does linoleic acid increase inflammation? A systematic review of randomized trials found virtually no evidence that increasing dietary linoleic acid increased common inflammatory markers in healthy people. A later meta-analysis of 30 randomized trials likewise found no significant overall increase in several circulating inflammatory markers.

What about the ratio? A ratio can be descriptive but misleading. Two diets can have the same ratio with very different absolute intakes. A more practical goal is adequate omega-3 intake while obtaining essential omega-6 from normal foods.

Everyday Lipid takeaway “Omega-6 = inflammation” is too simplistic. Current human trial evidence does not support treating linoleic-acid-rich foods as inherently inflammatory.

References - Johnson GH, Fritsche K. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012. PMID: 22889633. - Su H et al. Meta-analysis of dietary linoleic acid and inflammatory markers. PMID: 28752873.