HealthAugust 8, 2026

linoleic

lin-oh-LEE-ik

Definition

A type of essential polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid found in many vegetable oils and commonly consumed in modern diets.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'linum' (flax) and 'oleum' (oil), referencing the fact that it was first isolated from linseed oil.

In the news

The article discusses linoleic acid in the context of dietary fat ratios, noting that its total intake level is more significant for health than its specific ratio relative to omega-3s.

Omega-3s and Omega-6s: It’s Not the Balance but the Levels That Matter

Read the full article ↗

Nutritional Outlook

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