ALPHA-LINOLENIC

USES & EFFECTIVENESS

Possibly Effective for...

Reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). High dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid seems to reduce the "plaque" in arteries serving the heart. Plaque is the fatty build-up that characterizes atherosclerosis.

Reducing the risk of heart disease and heart attacks. High DIETARY intake of alpha-linolenic acid over a period of 6 years seems to reduce the risk of a first heart attack by as much as 59% in both men and women. Increasing DIETARY intake of alpha-linolenic acid by 1.0-1.2 grams per day appears to decrease the risk of death due to heart disease by 20% or more in people with or without existing heart disease. It is not known if alpha-linolenic acid supplements have these same benefits. Some research suggests alpha-linolenic acid has a greater effect on coronary heart disease when intake of fish oils is low.

High blood pressure. Eating a diet high in alpha-linolenic acid seems to reduce risk of hypertension by about a third.

Pneumonia. Eating a diet high in alpha-linolenic acid seems to reduce the risk of getting pneumonia.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

Prostate cancer. There is contradictory evidence about the role of alpha-linolenic acid in prostate cancer. Some research suggests that high dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid might increase the risk of getting prostate cancer. But other research finds no increased risk or even a slight decreased risk. Reasons for the conflicting results are not clear, but the source of alpha-linolenic acid seems to be important. Alpha-linolenic acid from dairy and meat sources has been positively associated with prostate cancer. Alpha-linolenic acid from plant sources, such as flaxseed, does not appear to affect prostate cancer risk.

Lung infections in children. Preliminary clinical research suggests that alpha-linolenic acid, in combination with linoleic acid, might reduce the number of respiratory infections in children.

Crohn's disease..

Depression.

Diabetes.

High cholesterol.

Kidney disease.

Migraines.

Multiple sclerosis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Skin diseases.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate alpha-linolenic acid for these uses.