Fats are essential diet components, but unbalanced fat intake – taking in a disproportionate amount of one kind over another – can lead to disease and inflammation.

Western diets typically provide 10 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids, which might contribute to health problems ranging from heart disease and blood vessel inflammation to depression.

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in abundance in refined vegetable oils, baked goods and snacks. Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts, eggs and grass-fed beef.

Researchers from the Ohio State University School of Medicine found that people with greater blood levels of omega-6 fatty acids were more likely to suffer from depression and inflammation.

The answer is not that cut and dry because olive oil and soybeans – considered heart healthy – contain more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids (13:1 and 7:1). A healthy choice is to eat fewer desserts and refined baked goods and consume more fish. [sources: Psychosomatic Medicine, Fitness RX]