The cardiovascular effects of flaxseed and its omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid

doi:10.1016/S0828-282X(10)70455-4

Canadian Journal of Cardiology

Volume 26, Issue 9, November 2010, Pages 489-496

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0828-282X(10)70455-4 Get rights and content

Preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with nutritional interventions is a therapeutic strategy that may warrant greater research attention. The increased use of omega (ω)-3 fatty acids is a powerful example of one such nutritional strategy that may produce significant cardiovascular benefits. Marine food products have provided the traditional dietary sources of ω-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed is an alternative to marine products. It is one of the richest sources of the plant-based ω-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Based on the results of clinical trials, epidemiological investigations and experimental studies, ingestion of ALA has been suggested to have a positive impact on CVD. Because of its high ALA content, the use of flaxseed has been advocated to combat CVD. The purpose of the present review was to identify the known cardiovascular effects of flaxseed and ALA and, just as importantly, what is presently unknown.

La prévention de l’occurrence de maladies cardiovasculaires (MCV) au moyen d’interventions nutritionnelles est une stratégie thérapeutique qui pourrait susciter plus de recherches. L’utilisation accrue d’acides gras oméga (ω)-3 est un exemple évocateur de stratégie nutritionnelle qui peut procurer des bienfaits cardiovasculaires. Les produits alimentaires marins ont toujours constitué la source alimentaire d’acides gras ω-3. Les graines de lin peuvent toutefois remplacer les produits marins. C’est l’une des sources les plus riches d’acides gras ω-3 d’origine végétale, l’acide alpha-linolénique (ALA). Selon les résultats d’essais cliniques, d’études épidémiologiques et d’études expérimentales, il est postulé que l’ingestion d’ALA aurait des effets positifs sur les MCV. En raison du contenu élevé des graines de lin en ALA, on avance que son utilisation combat les MCV. La présente analyse visait à déterminer les effets cardiovasculaires connus des graines de lin et de l’ALA et, de manière tout aussi importante, ceux qu’on ne connaît pas encore.

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ReviewThe cardiovascular effects of flaxseed and its omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acidLes effets cardiovasculaires des graines de lin et de ses acides gras oméga 3, l’acide alpha-linolénique

Lancet

Am J Clin Nutr

Am J Clin Nutr

Am J Clin Nutr

Am J Med

Am J Clin Nutr

Am J Clin Nutr

Poult Sci

Am J Clin Nutr

J Nutr

Nutr Res

J Nutr

Am J Clin Nutr

Am J Clin Nutr

Am J Clin Nutr

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis

J Nutr

J Am Coll Cardiol

J Nutr

Med Clin North Am

J Electrocardiol

Am J Clin Nutr

J Stroke Cereb Dis

Neuroscience

Am J Clin Nutr

Prostaglandins Leukot Med

Obstet Gynecol

J Nutr

Nutr Res

Am J Clin Nutr

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids

Am J Clin Nutr

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis

Nutrition

Cytokine

J Lab Clin Med

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids

Kidney Int

J Nutr

Am J Clin Nutr

Heart disease and stroke statistics – 2007 update: A report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee

Circulation

A multi-country health-economic evaluation of highly concentrated n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the secondary prevention after myocardial infarction

Herz

Influence of n-6 versus n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in diets low in saturated fatty acids on plasma lipoproteins and hemostatic factors

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol

Dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E after myocardial infarction: Results of the GISSI-Prevenzione trial

Lancet

Fish consumption, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular disease

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol

Dietary fats and hypertension. Focus on fish oil

Ann N Y Acad Sci

Does fish oil lower blood pressure? A meta-analysis of controlled trials

Circulation

Does supplementation of diet with ‘fish oil’ reduce blood pressure? A meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials

Arch Intern Med

Review
The cardiovascular effects of flaxseed and its omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acidLes effets cardiovasculaires des graines de lin et de ses acides gras oméga 3, l’acide alpha-linolénique