Linoleic acid (LA) is a context-dependent and minor contributor to mitochondrial membrane health, with effects varying by cell type and age (Marei et al., 2012; Moran et al., 2001; Jeng et al., 2009). The fatty acid composition of animal products, including red meat, is significantly influenced by diet, highlighting the importance of food sourcing. Animals consuming corn and soy, particularly as soybean oil or roasted soybeans, exhibit increased LA levels in their muscle and fat (Alencar et al., 2021; Fang et al., 2009). For instance, pigs and beef cattle fed these diets show higher polyunsaturated fatty acids, including LA, while pasture-raised or wild animals have higher omega-3 levels and a more favorable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (Zhao et al., 2012; Sergin et al., 2022). This illustrates that dietary sources profoundly affect the nutritional quality and health impacts of animal-derived foods (Wood et al., 2008; Koizumi et al., 1991). While increased vegetable oil consumption has elevated LA in human diets, its specific impact on human mitochondrial LA levels remains underexplored (Jandacek, 2017; Taha, 2020). Further research is necessary to understand the nuanced effects of LA on mitochondrial dynamics across different contexts and species (Pepe, 2005; Chen et al., 2023; Choque et al., 2013).