ALA may have small cardiovascular benefits, but the research is fairly mixed. In short-term trials (2–3 months), ALA seems to minorly reduce triglyercides (although less efficiently than fish oil), LDL-cholesterol, and total cholesterol.[1][2] However, these effects are not observed in longer trials.[3][1] ALA may reduce the risk of heart arrhythmias, but has not been found to reduce blood pressure or the risk of cardiovascular events (e.g., heart attack, stroke).[3] Additionally, ALA may reduce markers of inflammation including C-reactive protein and TNF-alpha; however, these effects are inconsistent and are mostly observed in people with higher baseline levels of these biomarkers.[4][5] Some observational studies have suggested that higher reported intakes of ALA are associated with reduced all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality,[6][7] but this has not been found in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).[3]
What are alpha-linolenic acid’s main benefits?
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•Last Updated: October 13, 2024