Physics

Internal medicine

Disease

Cardiovascular health

Optics

Chemistry

Focus (optics)

Linoleic acid

Food science

Fatty acid

Biochemistry

Medicine

Environmental health

Atherosclerosis

This narrative review aims to discuss the more relevant evidence on the role of linoleic acid (LA), a n-6 essential fatty acid that constitutes the predominant proportion of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), in cardiovascular health. Although LA can be metabolized into Arachidonic Acid (AA), a 20 carbon PUFA which is the precursor of eicosanoids, including some with proinflammatory or prothrombotic-vasoconstrictor action, the large majority of experimental and clinical studies have assessed the potential benefit of increasing dietary intake of LA.

Dietary linoleic acid and human health: Focus on cardiovascular and cardiometabolic effects