Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
For the health condition: Psoriasis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found mainly in plant sources such as flaxseed, chia, and walnuts. Its use in the context of psoriasis is based on the scientific understanding that omega-3 fatty acids possess anti-inflammatory properties, which may be beneficial in managing inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis. Several studies have investigated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids (including ALA, as well as eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA], which are primarily found in fish oil) on psoriasis. While most clinical evidence is stronger for EPA and DHA, ALA is thought to contribute by serving as a precursor to these longer-chain omega-3s, albeit with limited conversion efficiency in humans.

A few small clinical trials and observational studies have suggested that diets high in ALA or supplementation with ALA-rich oils may result in mild improvements in psoriatic symptoms, likely through modulation of inflammatory pathways. However, the evidence is not robust: systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that while omega-3 supplementation may have a modest benefit, the specific effect of ALA (as opposed to fish-derived omega-3s) is less well established. There are plausible mechanisms—such as decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines—but the direct clinical impact of ALA is not confirmed by large, high-quality trials.

In summary, while there is a scientific rationale and some limited evidence supporting the use of ALA for psoriasis, the overall quality and quantity of evidence is low, and ALA should not be considered a primary treatment. It may be used as an adjunct to conventional therapy in the context of a healthy diet.

More about alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
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Other ingredients used for Psoriasis

Agrimonia pilosa
Alfalfa
algal oil
Aloe vera
Alpha hydroxy acids
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
Andrographis
andrographolide
apigenin
apple cider vinegar
argan nut oil
astragalin
Aureobasidium pullulans
avocado
babchi
baicalein
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
bee propolis
beta-glucan
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium longum
birch
black currant
black walnut
Borassus aethiopum
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butyrate triglyceride
caffeic Acid
cannabidiol
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
Chinese salvia root
chirata
Cistus
Cnidium
cod liver oil
copaiba oil
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
docosahexaenoic Acid
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
emu oil
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ethyl linoleate
European Elder
ferulic acid
Ficus religiosa
fish protein
frankincense
fumaric acid
gallic acid
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
Glucosylceramide
Glycolic acid
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
gooseberry
gotu kola
green tea
Hellebore
henna
hyaluronic acid
Hyperoside
isoliquiritigenin
jojoba oil
Kaempferol
knotweed
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Ledebouriella
lingzhi
linoleic acid (LA)
linseed oil
liverwort
loquat
luteolin
Lycium
magnesium
Marine fat
Marshmallow
melaleuca alternifolia
mixed carotenoids
Morus
Mucilage
Mulberry
Naringenin
Nettle
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleanolic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
Osthole
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
perilla
PhosphatidylGlycerol
phospholipids
Piperine
Polypodium
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
rockweed
Rubia cordifolia
Salmon Oil
Sanguisorba
Sargassum
sarsaparilla
seaweed
Semecarpus anacardium
Slippery Elm
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
sunflower
Tea Tree Oil
Thuja
turmeric
vegetable oil
Verbascoside
vitamin A
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Walnut
wheat grass
Withanolides
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Xanthorrhizol
Zinc