Changes

Alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that is derived from plants : It is found in high amounts in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil and in lesser amounts in canola, soy and walnut oils; as well as in soybeans, tofu and pumpkin seeds. It can also be taken as a supplement in liquid or capsule form, and due to its omega-3 content, alpha-linolenic acid may be beneficial to a variety of disorders.

==Special Precautions of Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA)==

*Inflammatory Bowel Disorders : ALA is also beneficial to a variety of colon disorders. UMM says that many people with Crohn's disease, which is a type of irritable bowel disorder, have been found to have low levels of omega-3s in their bodies. According to the Mayo Clinic, omega-3s can help to reduce the inflammation associated with Crohn's, although studies have shown conflicting results. Omega-3s may also help to reduce cancer cell replication in patients with colon cancer, but the studies were conducting, using fish oil and not ALA. UMM says however, that although studies have not been done on humans yet, preliminary studies done on animals suggest that ALA might actually be more beneficial than fish oil in the treatment of colon disorders.

*Cardiovascular Disorders : Alpha-linolenic acid has been found to be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of a variety of cardiovascular disorders including heart attacks and stroke. According to UMM, people who eat a diet rich in alpha-linolenic acid are less likely to suffer from a fatal heart attack. One study done on women found that those who consumed 1.5 g of ALA per day had a 46 percent lower risk of sudden cardiac death than those who consumed less than 1/2 g per day. ALA also helps to increase the healthy HDL cholesterol levels and decrease the unhealthy LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In addition, several studies have found that ALA can help to lower high blood pressure significantly in individuals with hypertension.

[[Category:Treatments]]