I found this interesting study looking evaluating some aspects of this fatty acid that seems to conclude just tiny amounts of it has beneficial properties. I see the key with ALA fatty acid theres a trade-off and a shaped curve of positives/negatives that depends on the dose. All the research I found till now seems to place that dose around 1gr. Even all the research about the general damage of pufas can't negate the evidence of the benefits in some amounts, discarding the facto and in an absolute way the posisible benefit/harm relation without considering the dose.
"This review highlights how chronic administration of ALA protects against rodent models of hypoxic-ischemic injury and exerts an anti-depressant-like activity, effects that likely involve multiple mechanisms in brain, and may be applied in stroke prevention. One major effect may be through an increase in mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a widely expressed protein in brain that plays critical roles in neuronal maintenance, and learning and memory."
Attention at this one:
"ALA activates a neuronal background rectifying potassium channel [65] leading to membrane hyperpolarization which in turn increases the magnesium block of the calcium channel associated with NMDA receptors which play a predominant role in mediating glutamate-mediated excitotoxic neuronal cell death"
And it comes out that the study concludes to have best impact are doses around just 1gr of ALA!!
"In common with several others groups, we have demonstrated the broad neuroprotective and neuroplastic potential of omega-3 injection in animal models of neurodegenerative conditions, including acute neurological injuries such as stroke and spinal cord injury (for review, see [1, 3, 97]"
"Therefore, we believe that, in light of the currently available data, the conventional recommendations of omega-3 at a dose of 1 g/day of ALA, or 0.750–1 g/day of EPA + DHA, may offer therapeutic benefit in patients at risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is also noteworthy that these doses are without adverse effects."
"Choosing healthy foods may be a challenge, underlying the importance of identifying natural products with health benefit, like ALA that is a nonproprietary, naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acid contained in foodstuffs. ALA has anti-inflammatory and other potential beneficial properties and, based on the weight of available data, may reduce stroke risk, size, and/or consequences."
Alpha-Linolenic Acid: An Omega-3 Fatty Acid with Neuroprotective Properties—Ready for Use in the Stroke Clinic?
We know pufas in general specially in the way they're abused in modern diets are detrimental; in fact this is actually known -not for the average joe yet- by well knowledgable sectors beyond Peat lands. But is not all that black and white, and it seems the key a balancing dose in overall context.
I have yet to see from all the ton of studies posted by haidut, ANY that states any detrimental effects at these doses. Because it looks like theres evidence for beneficial ones, and the trade-off appears to be dose dependant.
Please note this is only about alpha-linolenic-acid, not fish oil or supplements of any type.
"This review highlights how chronic administration of ALA protects against rodent models of hypoxic-ischemic injury and exerts an anti-depressant-like activity, effects that likely involve multiple mechanisms in brain, and may be applied in stroke prevention. One major effect may be through an increase in mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a widely expressed protein in brain that plays critical roles in neuronal maintenance, and learning and memory."
Attention at this one:
"ALA activates a neuronal background rectifying potassium channel [65] leading to membrane hyperpolarization which in turn increases the magnesium block of the calcium channel associated with NMDA receptors which play a predominant role in mediating glutamate-mediated excitotoxic neuronal cell death"
And it comes out that the study concludes to have best impact are doses around just 1gr of ALA!!
"In common with several others groups, we have demonstrated the broad neuroprotective and neuroplastic potential of omega-3 injection in animal models of neurodegenerative conditions, including acute neurological injuries such as stroke and spinal cord injury (for review, see [1, 3, 97]"
"Therefore, we believe that, in light of the currently available data, the conventional recommendations of omega-3 at a dose of 1 g/day of ALA, or 0.750–1 g/day of EPA + DHA, may offer therapeutic benefit in patients at risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is also noteworthy that these doses are without adverse effects."
"Choosing healthy foods may be a challenge, underlying the importance of identifying natural products with health benefit, like ALA that is a nonproprietary, naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acid contained in foodstuffs. ALA has anti-inflammatory and other potential beneficial properties and, based on the weight of available data, may reduce stroke risk, size, and/or consequences."
Alpha-Linolenic Acid: An Omega-3 Fatty Acid with Neuroprotective Properties—Ready for Use in the Stroke Clinic?
We know pufas in general specially in the way they're abused in modern diets are detrimental; in fact this is actually known -not for the average joe yet- by well knowledgable sectors beyond Peat lands. But is not all that black and white, and it seems the key a balancing dose in overall context.
I have yet to see from all the ton of studies posted by haidut, ANY that states any detrimental effects at these doses. Because it looks like theres evidence for beneficial ones, and the trade-off appears to be dose dependant.
Please note this is only about alpha-linolenic-acid, not fish oil or supplements of any type.
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