Why too much omega-6 is unhealthy for you.

Omega-6 fatty acids are essential fats that the body requires for normal growth, development, and overall health. However, consuming them in excessive amounts can have negative effects and be detrimental to health. When omega-6 intake is disproportionately high compared to omega-3 intake, it may promote chronic inflammation within the body. This persistent inflammation has been linked to an increased risk of a wide range of serious health conditions, including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Such an imbalance disrupts the body's natural inflammatory response, which plays an important role in healing and defense but becomes harmful when it is overactivated and sustained over time.

Soybean oil is often regarded as unhealthy primarily because of its very high omega-6 content. It contains a significant percentage of linoleic acid, a particular type of omega-6 fatty acid, which can contribute to inflammation issues if consumed in excessive quantities. Furthermore, most commercially available soybean oil undergoes heavy processing and refining, frequently involving the use of high heat and chemical solvents. This refining process can lead to the creation of trans fats and the degradation of vital nutrients, further reducing the oil’s potential health benefits. Additionally, soybean oil is widely used in processed and fried foods, meaning that high intake of this oil usually coincides with an overall poor diet, thus exacerbating the health risks linked to chronic diseases and inflammation.