Table 1

 Randomised controlled trials assessing the effect of ALA on established cardiovascular risk factors and emerging risk markers

AuthorTreatmentType of interventionCountryNo of subjectsParticipants (condition, sex, age group*)Length of treatment
*Age data are means, except in St Onge, where age is given as an interval; †crossover studies.
ALA, α linolenic acid; ARA, arachidonic acid; DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid; GLA, γ linolenic acid; LA, linolenic acid; NIDDM, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
Arjmandi et al16†Flaxseed, sunflower seedBreads, muffinsUSA38Hypercholesterolaemic, postmenopausal women, 56.3 years6 weeks
Bemelmans et al4ALA, LAMargarineNetherlands265Cardiovascular risks, men and women, 55 years104 weeks
Finnegan et al5LA, fish oil, ALAMargarine, capsulesUK150Moderately hyperlipidaemic, men and women, 53 years6 months
Finnegan et al15LA, fish oil, ALAMargarine, capsulesUK150Moderately hyperlipidaemic, men and women, 53.3 years6 months
Junker et al10Olive oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oilMargarine, breadGermany69Healthy, men and women, 24–27 years4 weeks
Karvonen et al11Camelina oil, olive oil, rapeseed oilOilFinland68Hypercholesterolaemic, men and women, 50–53 years6 weeks
Kestin et al6Fish oil, linseed, safflower oilEmulsionAustralia33Hypercholesterolaemic, men and women, 45.9 years6 weeks
Kratz et al12Olive oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oilMargarine, breadsGermany58Healthy, men and women, 26 years4 weeks
Kratz et al19Olive oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oilMargarine, breadsGermany48Healthy, men and women, 25.4 years4 weeks
Meshcheriakova et al13Fish oil, linseed oil, sunflower oilDietRussia120NIDDM, 54–56 years4 weeks
Pang et al8ALA, LAMuffins, dietAustralia29Healthy, men, 24–25 years6 weeks
Rallidis et al7Linseed oil, safflower oilOilGreece76Dyslipidaemic, men, 51 years12 weeks
Södergren et al14†Rapeseed oil, saturated oil (butter, olive oil)Fat productsFinland19Hyperlipidaemic, men and women, 50 years4 weeks
St Onge et al9*Olive oil, functional oilMealsCanada28Overweight, men, 26–61 years4 weeks
Thies et al17Placebo, ALA, GLA, ARA, DHA, fish oilOil capsulesUK46Healthy, men and women, 61–66 years12 weeks
Wensing et al18Oleic acid, ALA, EPA+DHAShorteningNetherlands38Healthy, men and women, >60 years6 weeks