Is Omega-6 Really Killing Us?

The short answer? Yes — for some. No — for others. Find out which one you are.

Let’s be honest — “omega-6 is bad for you” is a headline that’s already been written. But like most nutrition soundbites, it’s not the full story. The real truth is more nuanced… and potentially more dangerous.

Because while consuming omega-6 is essential for everyone, high amounts of it might be harmless — even beneficial — for some, but for others, it could be the silent fuel behind chronic inflammation, fatigue, brain fog, and even serious illness.

So how do you know which camp you fall into?

That’s the million-pound question.

The Great Omega-6 Debate

Some scientists and dietitians champion omega-6, citing research such as the 2010 study by Mozaffarian et al that found that replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats, particularly omega-6, lowered the risk of coronary heart disease.

These findings have led many to believe that omega-6 is not only safe — but something we should be consuming more of.

On the flip side, there’s a growing number of experts — including functional medicine doctors and lipid researchers — who argue that omega-6 is a major driver of chronic inflammation. They point to studies showing that high dietary intake of LA, particularly from seed oils like soybean, corn, and sunflower oil, correlates with increased risk of autoimmune disease, obesity, and neuroinflammation (Ramsden et al., 2013).

So who’s right?

In a way, they both are. And here’s why.

What Really Matters: The Omega-6 That Stays in You

Here’s the twist: the issue isn’t just how much omega-6 you eat — it’s how much stays in your body as linoleic acid (LA).

Several studies have reported positive correlations between circulating linoleic acid levels in the body and health outcomes. For example, a Danish prospective cohort study found that higher adipose tissue content of LA was inversely associated with all-cause mortality (AJCN). Similarly, a major analysis in Circulation showed that higher circulating levels of LA were linked to lower risk of cardiovascular disease (PubMed).

So far, the evidence looks good for camp omega-6.

But here’s where it gets complicated: genetics.

Certain people — particularly those with FADS1 gene variants — are more efficient at converting the omega-6, LA into another type of omega-6, arachidonic acid (AA), a compound that can produce pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. Roughly 80% of people with African ancestry and over 40% of people with European ancestry carry this gene variant (source).

That means despite consuming high amounts of LA, they may not maintain higher levels of LA in their bloodstream — instead, their bodies convert it into AA, which may increase inflammation.

So while high amounts of LA consumption might be protective for some individuals, it could be doing the exact opposite behind the scenes for others.

Why Fish Oil Isn’t Enough

What’s the solution? Many people turn to omega-3 supplements — usually fish oil — hoping it will balance things out.

But if your omega-6 intake is too high, that strategy will fall short.

Too much LA does two things:

1. It increases production of AA, a precursor to inflammation.
2. It saturates cell membranes and prevents omega-3 (like DHA) from doing its job.

So, even if you take a fish oil capsule every day, it likely isn’t enough to undo the imbalance — especially if your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is 10:1 or higher (which it is for most modern diets).

To truly fix the imbalance, you need to:

• Reduce omega-6 intake, especially from seed oils.
• Increase DHA intake, ideally in a balanced, absorbable form.

For more on this, check out our post:
👉 Why Too Much Omega-6 Can Harm Your Health

InflammaFree: Designed for Those Who Need It Most — But Great for Everyone

At InflammaFree, we didn’t want to create just another supplement. We wanted to solve the real problem: chronic imbalance.

So we combined two of the most powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients on earth:

• High-polyphenol Extra Virgin Olive Oil – rich in natural antioxidants that protect omega-3 fats from oxidation and support heart health.
• DHA-rich Algae Oil – a sustainable, vegan source of omega-3 DHA that supports brain, eye, and cardiovascular health.

The result?
A delicious, daily-use oil that delivers a perfect 1:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, helping you naturally restore the balance your body was designed for.

So... Is Omega-6 Killing You?

For some people, it’s a nutritional tripwire — quietly setting the stage for chronic inflammation that could lead to disease and death, while for others, it’s neutral or even helpful.

If you don't know your genetic makeup, it’s wise to approach omega-6 with caution — especially when the modern diet pushes it to extremes.

If you carry the FADS1 variant, choosing an oil with a balanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratio — like InflammaFree — could be one of the smartest, most impactful health decisions you make.

👉 Try InflammaFree today — and feel the difference tomorrow.