Linoleic Acid Content in Various Oils

Linoleic acid, or omega-6 fatty acid, and linolenic acid, or omega-3 fatty acid, are the two ‘essential’ fatty acids. They are termed ‘essential’ because the human body cannot synthesize them, and must obtain them from the diet. A lack of either of the two leads to ill health and causes deficiency symptoms to develop.

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) refers to a heterogeneous group of constitutional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid, which are predominantly found in milk, milk products, meat and meat products of ruminants. CLA provides a wide spectrum of beneficial effects in various cell culture and animal models of disease. Research has shown that CLA has a significant inhibitory effect on the establishment and progression of atherosclerosis in animal models. Both LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratios are reduced when CLA is fed to the test animals. There is also proof of CLA blocking the growth and spread of malignant tumors, primarily by influencing cell replication and mechanisms of carcinogenesis. The increase in mineralized bone formation was demonstrated in several experiments as well.

Mt. Capra’s Goat Milk Formula recipe features two linoleic-rich oils – sunflower oil and grapeseed oil – to insure that infants receive the proper amount of linoleic acid in their diet.

Here is a handy comparison of the relative amount of linoleic acid found in various oils:

% Linoleic acid†

Safflower oil: 78%

Grape seed oil: 73%

Poppyseed oil: 70%

Sunflower oil: 68%

Hemp oil: 60%

Corn oil: 59%

Wheat germ oil: 55%

Cottonseed oil: 54%

Soybean oil: 51%

Walnut oil: 51%

Sesame oil: 45%

Rice bran oil: 39%

Pistachio oil: 32.7%

Peanut oil: 32%

Canola oil: 21%

Egg yolk: 16%

Linseed oil: 15%

Lard: 10%

Olive oil: 10%

Palm oil: 10%

Cocoa butter: 3%

Macadamia oil: 2%

Butter: 2%

Coconut oil: 2%

Avocado oil: 2% to 17%, depending upon source

 †average val