Flaxseed ALA Lowers Blood Pressure

ATHENS, Greece—Increased alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake from flaxseed offers cardioprotection by lowering blood pressure (Euro J Clin Nutr. 2007;61:1201-06). Researchers from Harokopio University and Laiko Hospital used a prospective, two-group, parallel-arm design to examine the effect on blood pressure of dietary supplementation with flaxseed oil, rich in ALA (8 g/d) for 12 weeks in 59 middle-aged dyslipidaemic men. A control group of 28 dyslipidaemic men took safflower oil containing the equivalent of 11g/d omega-6 linoleic acid (LA). Arterial blood pressure was measured at the beginning and end of the dietary intervention period.

Supplementation with ALA resulted in significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels compared with LA. The researchers noted, “We observed a hypotensive effect of ALA, which may constitute another mechanism accounting in part for the apparent cardioprotective effect of this omega-3 fatty acid.”

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