Alpha-linolenic acid has been reported to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, in preliminary trials.14,15
Dosage Range
Flaxseed Oil supplementation for most applications is in the range of 1,000-4,000 mg per day.
Contraindications and Toxicity
Flaxseed Oil toxicity has not been reported at the above levels of intake and there are no known contraindications.
Drug-Nutrient Interactions
There are no well-known drug interactions with Flaxseed Oil.16
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Meschino Health Comprehensive Guide to Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
1. Nordstrom DCE, Honkanen VEA, Nasu Y, Antila E, Friman C, Konttinen YT. Alpha-linolenic acid in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
A double-blind placebo-controlled and randomized study: flaxseed vs safflower oil. Rheumatol Int 1995;14:231-4.
2. von Schacky C, Angerer P, Kothny W, Theisen K, Mudra H. The effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on coronary atherosclerosis. A randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 1999;130:554-62.
3. Mate J, Castanos R, Garcia-Samaniego J, Pajares JM. Does dietary fish oil maintain the remission of Crohn’s disease: a case control
study. Gastroenterology 1991;100:A228[abstract]
4. Gonzalez MJ. Fish oil, lipid peroxidation and mammary tumor growth. J Am Coll Nutr 1995;14:325.
5. Schlomo Y, et al. Modulating the learning pain thresholds, and thermoregulation in the rat by preparations of free purified alpha-linolenic
and linolenic acids: Determination of the optimal w3-to w6 ratio. Proc Nat Acad Sci 1993;90:10345-7.
6. Murray M. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing; 1996. p. 249-78
7. Lee TH, Hoover RL, Williams JD, Sperling RI, Ravalese J, Spur BW, et al. Effect of dietary enrichment with eicosapentaenoic and
docosahexanoic acids on in vitro neutrophil and monocyte leukotriene generation and neutrophil generation. New Eng J Med
1985;312:1217-24.
8. Strasser T, Fischer S, Weber P. Leukotrien B5 is formed in human neutrophils after dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid.
Proc Natl Acad Sci 1985;82:1540-3.
9. Bjerve KS, et al. Clinical studies with alpha-linolenic acid and long n-3 fatty acids. Nutrition 1992;8:130-2.
10. Mantzioris E, James MJ, Gibson RA, Cleland LG. Dietary substitution with alpha-linolenic acid-rich vegetable oil increases EPA
concentrations in tissues. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59:1304-9.
11. Kelly DS. Alpha-linolenic acid and immune response. Nutrition 1992;8:215-7.
12. Erasmus U. Fats and oils. Vancouver, BC: Alive Books; 1986. p. 273.
13. Lockwood K, Moesgaard S, Folkers K. Partial and complete regression of breast cancer in patients in relation to dosage of coenzyme
Q10. Biochem Biophys Res Comm 1994;199:1504-8.
14. Chan JK, Bruce VM, McDonald BE. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid is as effective as oleic acid and linoleic acid in lowering blood cholesterol
in normolipidemic men. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:1230-4.
15. Singer P, Jaeger W, Berger I, et al. Effects of dietary oleic, linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids on blood pressure, serum lipids, lipoproteins
and the formation of eicosanoid precursors in patients with mild essential hypertension. J Human Hypertansion 1990;4:227-233.
16. Healthnotes online. 2000 Healthnotes Inc: Flaxseed Oil.
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Meschino Health Comprehensive Guide to Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
General Features
Evening primrose oil, black currant oil and borage oil contain Gamma-Linolenic Acid, which is an omega-6 fatty acid.
Gamma-Linolenic Acid is a precursor in the synthesis of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), which is known to have anti-
inflammatory properties.1 Thus, Gamma-Linolenic supplementation has been used in the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.2
The body can synthesize Gamma-Linolenic Acid from linolenic acid (found in many vegetable oils), however people
with certain conditions appear to have a defect in the delta-6 desaturase enzyme that converts linolenic acid (LA) to
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA). Patients with premenstrual syndrome, diabetes, scleroderma, Sjogren’s Syndrome,
Tardive Dyskinesia, eczema, and other skin conditions tend to have this metabolic block and research demonstrates
that supplementation with a medicinal oil, rich in GLA, has helped people with these conditions.
Furthermore, the delta-6 desaturase enzyme requires vitamin B6, magnesium and zinc as cofactors to convert LA to
GLA.
Suboptimal status of these micronutrients also impairs the conversion of LA to GLA, as does the presence of trans-
fatty acids and alcohol in the diet.3-15
There is also evidence that an excess intake of LA stimulates conversion of GLA to arachidonic acid via the delta-5
desaturase enzyme. Arachidonic acid is proinflammatory and contributes to cardiovascular risk and other health
problems.16
Nevertheless, supplementation with oils that contain Gamma-Linolenic Acid have shown them to be of benefit for
certain conditions.11-15
As a general reference, evening primrose oil contains 9 percent Gamma-Linolenic Acid, borage seed oil is 22 percent
GLA and black currant seed oil is 22 percent GLA and also contains 13 percent omega-3 fat y acids as alpha-linolenic
acid.1
Supplementation Studies and Clinical Application