We investigated in a clinical setting whether increased intake of linoleic
acid alters respiratory function in 26 mild asthmatics. Subjects completed
a 16-week-dietary intervention comprising 8 weeks eating an enriched n-6 po
lyunsaturated fat diet (9.2% energy from linoleic acid) and consuming eithe
r a high monounsaturated or saturated fat diet in a random cross-over resig
n for 8 weeks. Neither FEV1 nor PC20 values changed significantly after inc
reased linoleic acid consumption when compared with the other diets. Increa
sed consumption of linoleic acid caused a 20% rise (p less than or equal to
0.01) in plasma linoleic acid, a 38% decrease (p less than or equal to 0.0
2) in plasma eicosapentaenoic acid, but no change in arachidonic acid There
were no changes in symptom scores or bronchodilator use.