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

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 cardiovascu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of cardiology 2010-11, Vol.26 (9), p.489-496
Main Authors: Rodriguez-Leyva, Delfin, MD PhD, Bassett, Chantal M.C., PhD, McCullough, Richelle, BSc, Pierce, Grant N., PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alpha-Linolenic Acid - administration & dosage
alpha-Linolenic Acid - therapeutic use
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control
Clinical Trials as Topic
Evidence-Based Medicine
Fibre
Fish
Flax
Heart disease
Humans
Lignans
Nutrition
Phytotherapy
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
Review
Seeds
Treatment Outcome
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary: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.
ISSN:0828-282X
1916-7075
DOI:10.1016/S0828-282X(10)70455-4