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What Are the Benefits of Alpha Linolenic Acid?

Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) is a form of omega-3 fatty acid. Most people obtain omega-3s from fish oil, but ALA comes from plant sources. ALA has the same beneficial properties as fish oil omega-3s.

  1. Neurological Benefits

    • Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to cognitive health and mental acuity. People with Alzheimer's disease or dementia can find ALA reduces confusion and delays the onset of symptoms. Omega-3s can also benefit those with depression.

    Other Benefits

    • Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain, especially from arthritis. Essential fatty acids can also reduce the risk of heart attacks and developing diabetes, along with lowering LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, while elevating HDL, the "good" cholesterol.

    Types

    • Alpha Linolenic Acid is one of the three types of omega-3 fatty acids. The other two are cosapetanoic acid (EPA) and docosahaxaneoic acid (DHA), which are found in fish oil.

    Conversion

    • The body converts ALA to EPA and DHA during digestion and processing, though the mechanism malfunctions in some people with diabetes and schizophrenia, making fish oil a better choice for those patients.

    Sources

    • Dietary sources of ALA include walnuts and walnut oil, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, canola oil, tofu, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin oil.

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