Researchers have discovered that linoleic acid drives the growth of a hard-to-treat “triple negative” breast cancer subtype. The substance is an omega-6 fatty acid found in seed oils and animal products. The preclinical study suggests a need for dietary guidance for those suffering from the disease. While public figures like US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. call for eliminating seed oils due to their alleged links to inflammation and disease, researchers at Weill Cornell caution against blanket statements. Their new study suggests that linoleic acid’s impact depends on individual biology — especially in cancer patients — highlighting the need for precision nutrition rather than dietary dogma.
