How does alpha-linolenic acid work?

    Last Updated: November 28, 2023

    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]

    References

    1. ^Yuan Q, Xie F, Huang W, Hu M, Yan Q, Chen Z, Zheng Y, Liu LThe review of alpha-linolenic acid: Sources, metabolism, and pharmacology.Phytother Res.(2022-Jan)
    2. ^Cambiaggi L, Chakravarty A, Noureddine N, Hersberger MThe Role of α-Linolenic Acid and Its Oxylipins in Human Cardiovascular Diseases.Int J Mol Sci.(2023-Mar-24)
    3. ^Bertoni C, Abodi M, D'Oria V, Milani GP, Agostoni C, Mazzocchi AAlpha-Linolenic Acid and Cardiovascular Events: A Narrative Review.Int J Mol Sci.(2023-Sep-20)