FLAXSEED, ALA AND YOUR HEART

From a report by:

Grant N. Pierce, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FAPS, FISHR, FIACS, FCAHS, Executive Director of Research, St Boniface General Hospital, Professor of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Flaxseed is the richest plant source of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fat, alpha linolenic acid (called ALA for short). Although some have tried to claim that fish oil and flaxseed oil have different effects on cardiovascular health, clinical data obtained from nine major trials showed that ALA can produce dramatic, beneficial effects on our heart health too.

The nine major trials have shown that an increased ingestion of ALA in humans leads to a decreased risk for heart disease, decreased incidence of heart attacks, decreased incidence of stroke, decreased risk of cancer and, most importantly, a decreased risk of death from all causes. The effects were not small and the studies measured these effects in 600 to over 76,000 subjects. The risk of heart disease was reduced by up to 70%, the risk of having a heart attack was reduced by 75%, and the risk of having a stroke was reduced by up to 60%.

These important trials have been subsequently supported by experimental work examining the mechanism whereby flaxseed and ALA protects the heart. The results have shown a role for flaxseed and ALA in blocking the irregular heart beats that are associated with heart attacks and slowing the process whereby blockages in arteries (known as atherosclerosis) cause heart attacks and stroke. The research data obtained from experimental work at the laboratory bench and from many clinical trials carried out all over the world are generating a clear picture: ALA from flaxseed oil appears to be an excellent protective strategy to help you in the fight against heart disease!