Linoleic acid and coronary heart disease

The extent to which higher intakes of linoleic acid (LA) affect risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) is examined by reviewing a wide variety of study types, mostly in humans. In experimental studies, LA has been shown to lower serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), especially when substituted for saturated fatty acids. Such an effect would be expected to reduce risk for CHD. In observational studies in which the dietary intake or serum content of LA were either cross-sectionally or prospectively related risk for CHD, higher LA intakes or serum levels have usually been associated with reduced risk. The pooled results from 5 randomized trials where LA was substituted for saturated fatty acids revealed a significant decrease in risk for CHD events with an LA intake 2-3 times current levels. Thus, current recommendations to consume 5-10% of energy from LA are evidence-based, and should not be reduced.