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: May 16, 2025
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) may offer minor cardiovascular benefits, such as reduced triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in short-term trials, but these effects are not consistently observed in longer studies. Additionally, although ALA may reduce inflammation markers and is associated with lower mortality in some observational studies, randomized controlled trials have not confirmed these findings.