Alpha-Linolenic Acid

Meta-analysis of 47 ALA trials found ALA lowered triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and VLDL, with stronger effects in Asians and hyperlipidemic patients.

Meta-analysis of 41 cohort studies in 1.2 million participants linked higher ALA intake to lower all-cause, CVD, and CHD mortality, but slightly higher cancer mortality.

Observational study of 2004 adults aged 32-93 found higher dietary linolenic acid intake inversely associated with coronary artery calcification in a dose-response pattern.

8-week double-blind RCT in children with ADHD given 2 g/day oil containing 1 g ALA found no significant symptom improvement versus placebo; only 17 of 40 completed.

7-week RCT in 63 ADHD children given 480 mg linoleic plus 120 mg alpha-linolenic acid daily found both EFA and placebo groups improved similarly, with no between-group differences.

Meta-analysis of 34 cohorts in 658,634 participants linked ALA intake to lower CVD mortality, with mixed associations for all-cause and other disease mortality.

Meta-analysis of 41 cohort studies in 1.2 million participants linked higher ALA intake to lower all-cause, CVD, and CHD mortality, but slightly higher cancer mortality.

12-week RCT in 60 healthy older adults given 2.2 g/day ALA from flaxseed oil found verbal fluency improved versus corn oil placebo; other cognitive tests did not differ.

56-day RCT in 95 adults found a nutrient bar with alpha-linolenic acid acutely improved alertness, attention, memory, and executive function versus isocaloric control.

Meta-analysis of 41 cohort studies in 1.2 million participants linked higher ALA intake to lower all-cause, CVD, and CHD mortality, but slightly higher cancer mortality.

Meta-analysis of 34 cohorts in 658,634 participants linked ALA intake to lower CVD mortality, with mixed associations for all-cause and other disease mortality.

Cochrane meta-analysis of 86 RCTs in 162,796 adults found increasing ALA intake probably made little or no difference to all-cause mortality or major cardiovascular events.

40-month RCT in post-MI patients given 2 g/day ALA found neither ALA nor EPA-DHA changed depressive symptoms or dispositional optimism versus placebo.

Observational study of 4594 adults linked higher dietary linolenic acid to lower hypertension prevalence and lower systolic blood pressure.

Prospective cohort of 637 renal transplant recipients linked higher ALA intake to increased mortality; EPA-DHA showed no significant mortality association.

10-year cohort of 38,378 men aged 44-79 found higher alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid intake associated with lower community-acquired pneumonia risk.

Meta-analysis found dietary ALA inversely associated with prostate cancer risk, while blood DHA showed marginal positive association; n-3 effects differ by fatty acid.

Alpha Omega Trial substudy in 1622 post-MI men given 2 g/day ALA for 40 months found ALA did not significantly change PSA versus placebo.

Cross-over RCT in 20 children with recurrent respiratory infections given 596 mg linoleic plus 855 mg ALA daily found fewer infections, fever days, and school absences during supplementation.

Double-blind RCT in 22 rheumatoid arthritis patients found 3-month alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed did not improve joint scores or inflammatory markers versus safflower seed.