Animal models suggest that ALA might modulate blood lipid levels by reducing lipid synthesis while also stimulating lipid metabolism,[1] and may reduce inflammation by reducing the production of inflammatory mediators through inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB). In theory, reductions in inflammation and blood lipids could be protective against cardiovascular disease, but a protective effect hasn’t been consistently found with ALA supplementation. ALA can also be metabolized into other bioactive compounds, such as oxylipins (e.g., eicosanoids), which are a diverse group of lipid mediators that have immune-modulating effects.[2][3]
How does alpha-linolenic acid work?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) may help modulate blood lipid levels by reducing lipid synthesis and stimulating metabolism, as well as reducing inflammation by inhibiting NF-kB activity. However, although ALA can be metabolized into bioactive compounds with immune-modulating effects, its protective effect against cardiovascular disease has not been consistently demonstrated through supplementation.