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Acidos Grasos Omega 6

¿Qué es?

Los ácidos grasos omega-6, como el ácido gamma linolénico, son una familia de grasas que se encuentran en algunos aceites vegetales y semillas. Son diferentes de los ácidos grasos omega-3.

Los ácidos grasos omega-6 se encuentran en todas partes del cuerpo. Ayudan con la función de todas las células. Pero demasiados ácidos grasos omega-6 pueden cambiar la forma en que reaccionan las células y tener efectos nocivos en las células del corazón y los vasos sanguíneos.

Las personas usan los ácidos grasos omega-6 para las enfermedades del corazón, el desarrollo infantil, el colesterol alto, el cáncer, la diabetes y muchas otras condiciones, pero no existe una buena evidencia científica que respalde estos usos.

Existen diferentes tipos de ácidos grasos omega-6, como el ácido gamma linolénico (GLA). Además, algunos suplementos se utilizan como fuentes de ácidos grasos omega-6, como la onagra, la borraja y la grosella negra. Ver listados separados para estos temas.

¿Qué tan efectivo es?

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (La Base Exhaustiva de Datos de Medicamentos Naturales) clasifica la eficacia, basada en evidencia científica, de acuerdo a la siguiente escala: Eficaz, Probablemente Eficaz, Posiblemente Eficaz, Posiblemente Ineficaz, Probablemente Ineficaz, Ineficaz, e Insuficiente Evidencia para Hacer una Determinación.

La clasificación de la eficacia para este producto es la siguiente:

Posiblemente ineficaz para...

  • Cardiopatía. Una mayor ingesta de ácidos grasos omega-6 en la dieta no reduce el riesgo de enfermedades del corazón.
  • Desarrollo infantil. Agregar el ácido graso omega-6 llamado ácido araquidónico a la fórmula infantil, junto con un ácido graso omega-3 llamado ácido docosahexaenoico (DHA), no parece mejorar el desarrollo del cerebro, la visión o el crecimiento en los bebés.
  • Altos niveles de colesterol u otras grasas (lípidos) en la sangre (hiperlipidemia). Una mayor ingesta de ácidos grasos omega-6 en la dieta no parece reducir los niveles de colesterol o triglicéridos.
  • Esclerosis múltiple (EM). Tomar ácidos grasos omega-6 no parece prevenir la progresión de la EM.
Hay interés en usar los ácidos grasos omega-6 para otros propósitos, pero no hay suficiente información confiable para decir si podría ser útil.

¿Es seguro?

Cuando se toma por vía oral: Los ácidos grasos omega-6 se consumen comúnmente como parte de la dieta en cantidades entre el 5 % y el 10 % de las calorías diarias. Pero no hay suficiente información confiable para saber si los ácidos grasos omega-6 son seguros para usar en grandes cantidades.

Advertencias y precauciones especiales:

Embarazo y lactancia: Los ácidos grasos omega-6 se consumen comúnmente como parte de la dieta en cantidades entre el 5% y el 10% de las calorías diarias. Pero consumir cantidades más altas posiblemente no sea seguro y podría aumentar el riesgo de tener un bebé muy pequeño o de que el niño desarrolle eczema. No hay suficiente información confiable para saber si los suplementos de ácidos grasos omega-6 son seguros para usar durante el embarazo o la lactancia. Manténgase en el lado seguro y evite su uso.

Niños: Los ácidos grasos omega-6 se consumen comúnmente como parte de la dieta en cantidades entre el 5% y el 10% de las calorías diarias en niños mayores de 1 año. Pero no hay suficiente información confiable para saber si los ácidos grasos omega-6 son seguros para usar como medicina.

Una enfermedad pulmonar que dificulta la respiración (enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica; EPOC): Los ácidos grasos omega-6 pueden dificultar la respiración en personas con EPOC. No use suplementos de ácidos grasos omega-6 si tiene EPOC.

Diabetes: El alto consumo de ácidos grasos omega-6 en la dieta puede aumentar el riesgo de desarrollar presión arterial alta en personas con diabetes. Hasta que se sepa más, no use suplementos de ácidos grasos omega-6 si tiene diabetes.

Triglicéridos altos (un tipo de grasa): Los ácidos grasos omega-6 pueden elevar los niveles de triglicéridos. No use suplementos de ácidos grasos omega-6 si tiene niveles altos de triglicéridos.

¿Existen interacciones con medicamentos?

No se sabe si este producto interactúa con algún medicamento.

Si está tomando medicamentos, converse con su proveedor de atención médica antes de empezar a tomar este producto.

¿Existen interacciones con hierbas y suplementos?

No se conoce ninguna interacción con hierbas y suplementos.

¿Existen interacciones con alimentos?

No se conoce ninguna interacción con alimentos.

¿Como se usa normalmente?

No hay suficiente información confiable para saber cuál podría ser una dosis adecuada de ácidos grasos omega-6. Tenga en cuenta que los productos naturales no siempre son necesariamente seguros y las dosis pueden ser importantes. Asegúrese de seguir las instrucciones pertinentes en las etiquetas del producto y consulte a un profesional de la salud antes de usarlo.

Otros nombres

Acides Gras Essentiels N-6, Acides Gras Oméga-6, Acides Gras Omégas 6, AGE, AGPI, Huiles d’Oméga 6, N-6, N-6 EFAs, N-6 Essential Fatty Acids, Omega 6, Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Omega 6 Oils.

Metodología

Para saber más sobre cómo este artículo fue escrito, refiérase a la metodología de la Base exhaustiva de datos de medicamentos naturales.

Referencias

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Documento revisado - 02/08/2022