Flaxseed ALA Converts to Heart- Healthy Omega-3s in the Body

ATLANTA—Flaxseed oil intake increased the plasma concentrations of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids (EFAs) in blacks with chronic illness, according to Emory University researchers. In a randomized, double blind trial, 56 participants received 3 g/d of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) from flaxseed oil capsules or a placebo of olive oil capsules. ALA is a short-chain omega-3 EFA that can be converted by the body into longer-chain EFAs that have been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). After 12 weeks of supplementation, plasma levels of the long-chain EFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increased by 60 percent and 25 percent, respectively, in the flaxseed oil group. There were no changes in EPA or DHA plasma levels in the control participants. According to the researchers, the findings demonstrate the efficacy of the body’s conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA, and suggest flaxseed oil could be an alternative to fish oil for delivering heart-healthy omega-3 EFAs, though additional clinical trials are warranted. The study was published in the Journal of Nutrition (136:83-7, 2006) (www.nutrition.org).

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