1 detailed study records

Key findings from detailed records

Population: 4,837 adults aged 60–80 after myocardial infarction, continuing standard drug treatment. Findings: ALA: HR 0.91 (95% CI 0.78–1.05). No significant reduction in the primary outcome.

Edited by LÍFSVARÐASources reviewed: Updated: Estimated reading time: 6 min

KNOWLEDGE RECORD

Category
Fatty acids
Last Reviewed

Names and related search termsAlpha-linolenic acid / Alpha-linolenic acid / ALA / Plant-based omega-3 / Alpha-linolenic acid

Study type: human intervention study.

Explore 10 papers by research question ↓

OUTCOME-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE

Scientific Evidence Profile

Assessment pending

An outcome-specific assessment has not yet been completed. This is not a finding that the ingredient is ineffective. The study records below remain available.

This profile concerns the stated outcome and population, not the ingredient as a whole. It is not a probability of benefit, a safety rating, a product efficacy rating or an indication of product adoption.

How we assess evidence

Ingredient Profile

What is it?
Alpha-linolenic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid with three cis double bonds. It is chemically distinct from the longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. [1]
Sources for this profile

Compound properties and formulation properties are different. These sources do not establish the efficacy of a finished supplement.

  1. PubChem — Linolenic Acid (CID 5280934) Chemical identity reference. Maintained by NCBI, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Database record; not a clinical trial.

Profile sources checked:

Read the evidence in context
  • Evidence: what was measured in the stated population or experimental model.
  • Inference: an interpretation connecting findings; its applicability depends on the study conditions.
  • Hypothesis: a proposed explanation or effect that remains to be tested.

Research Evidence · Scientific Synthesis

Why It Matters #

Is plant-derived ALA the same as EPA, DHA or 5-ALA? Check the detailed records for study conditions and use the literature map to compare other populations and outcomes.

What Was Studied #

4,837 adults aged 60–80 after myocardial infarction, continuing standard drug treatment. Alpha Omega: double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT. Outcomes: Major cardiovascular events[1]

What Was Found #

ALA: HR 0.91 (95% CI 0.78–1.05). No significant reduction in the primary outcome.[1]

What the Evidence Means #

An additional intervention in patients with established disease. It does not represent EPA/DHA research or every nutritional effect in healthy people.[1]

Comparing similar populations, formulations, durations and outcomes helps identify where findings agree and where they differ.

What We Can Learn #

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) and 5-ALA (5-aminolevulinic acid) are different substances. A shared abbreviation does not connect their evidence.

What Remains Unknown #

Further questions include reproducibility across populations and formulations, and the long-term balance of benefits and harms. Use the literature map as a starting point for these questions.

LITERATURE MAP / 10 PAPERS

Compare papers by conditions and findings.

A literature map covering different populations, outcomes and formulations. Read alongside detailed records to avoid treating one trial as the conclusion for an entire ingredient.

Selected: 2026-09-21. Bibliographic information checked against Europe PMC / PubMed. Editorial selection considered major papers and a range of populations and questions. This is not a systematic search covering all recent research.

10 RECORDS

A dash marks fields outside the bibliographic record. Use detailed records to compare findings and design records to connect mechanisms.

Research comparison table
Paper and topicStudy conditionsFindings and scope
Cardiovascular and vascular outcomesn-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction.2010 The New England journal of medicinePMID 20929341 #Study conditions

Alpha Omega: double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT

Population
4,837 adults aged 60–80 after myocardial infarction, continuing standard drug treatment.
Dose
ALA-enriched margarine. Target additional intake: 2 g/day; actual mean intake: 1.9 g/day.
Duration
40 months
Outcomes
Major cardiovascular events
Findings and scope

ALA: HR 0.91 (95% CI 0.78–1.05). No significant reduction in the primary outcome.

View findings and limitations

DOI

Authors

Kromhout D, Giltay EJ, Geleijnse JM, Alpha Omega Trial Group

Conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in young women.2002 The British journal of nutritionPMID 12323090 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Burdge GC, Wootton SA

Effect of alpha-linolenic acid supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal polyunsaturated fatty acid status and pregnancy outcome.2004 The American journal of clinical nutritionPMID 14749231 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

de Groot RH, Hornstra G, van Houwelingen AC, Roumen F

Effect of dietary linoleic/alpha-linolenic acid ratio on growth and visual function of term infants.1997 The Journal of pediatricsPMID 9290604 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Jensen CL, Prager TC, Fraley JK, Chen H, Anderson RE, Heird WC

Bioavailability of alpha-linolenic acid in subjects after ingestion of three different forms of flaxseed.2008 Journal of the American College of NutritionPMID 18689552 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Austria JA, Richard MN, Chahine MN, Edel AL, Malcolmson LJ, Dupasquier CM et al.

Alpha-linolenic acid supplementation and resistance training in older adults.2009 Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolismePMID 19234585 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Cornish SM, Chilibeck PD

Systemic inflammation in morbidly obese subjects: response to oral supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid.2007 Obesity surgeryPMID 17546842 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Faintuch J, Horie LM, Barbeiro HV, Barbeiro DF, Soriano FG, Ishida RK et al.

Mediterranean alpha-linolenic acid-rich diet in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.1994 Lancet (London, England)PMID 7911176 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

de Lorgeril M, Renaud S, Mamelle N, Salen P, Martin JL, Monjaud I et al.

Eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acids are the principal products of alpha-linolenic acid metabolism in young men*.2002 The British journal of nutritionPMID 12323085 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Burdge GC, Jones AE, Wootton SA

A randomized trial of different ratios of linoleic to alpha-linolenic acid in the diet of term infants: effects on visual function and growth.2000 The American journal of clinical nutritionPMID 10617956 #Study conditions

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Findings and scope

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Open original paper

DOI

Authors

Makrides M, Neumann MA, Jeffrey B, Lien EL, Gibson RA

The literature map is an index of research questions and references. Individual assessment of results, doses, funding and COI is limited to the detailed study records. Related reports from the same trial may be included; paper counts are not counts of independent trials.

Explore the research Study Records

Listed doses describe study conditions, not recommended intake.

Study RecordPMID 20929341

n-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction.

PubMed 20929341DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1003603

Authors
Kromhout D, Giltay EJ, Geleijnse JM, Alpha Omega Trial Group.
Journal
The New England journal of medicine
Publication year
2010
Study design
Alpha Omega: double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT
Participants
4,837 adults aged 60–80 after myocardial infarction, continuing standard drug treatment.
Dose and intervention
ALA-enriched margarine. Target additional intake: 2 g/day; actual mean intake: 1.9 g/day.
Duration
40 months
Outcomes and their role in the study
Major cardiovascular events
Findings
ALA: HR 0.91 (95% CI 0.78–1.05). No significant reduction in the primary outcome.
Limitations
An additional intervention in patients with established disease. It does not represent EPA/DHA research or every nutritional effect in healthy people.
Funding
Netherlands Heart Foundation, NIH and Unilever R&D supported the trial.
Conflict of Interest
Not verified within the scope of this review. This does not mean “no funding” or “no conflicts of interest.”
Scope of source review
The original abstract was checked for population, dose, duration and results; available source disclosures were checked separately. Any unverified disclosure details remain identified above.

Cite this page

LÍFSVARÐA. Alpha-linolenic acid: Is plant-derived ALA the same as EPA, DHA or 5-ALA? Version 1.1 / Updated 2026-10-24

https://lifsvarda.com/knowledge/alpha-linolenic-acid/

Edited by LÍFSVARÐA (product brand).Editorial policy

Sources and updates

  1. Kromhout D, Giltay EJ, Geleijnse JM, Alpha Omega Trial Group. (2010). n-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction.The original abstract was checked for population, dose, duration and results; available source disclosures were checked separately. Any unverified disclosure details remain identified above.

First published: 2026-09-21 / Version 1.1. Updated 2026-09-23: Added a research comparison table and links to design records. Source notes identify the scope of verification when the full paper has not been reviewed. Research summaries and LÍFSVARÐA’s interpretation are distinguished.

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