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

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Synopsis

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

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found primarily in plant sources such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts. Its use for supporting or treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is grounded in the broader scientific rationale that omega-3 fatty acids possess anti-inflammatory properties, which may be beneficial in inflammatory conditions like RA. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), typically derived from fish oil, can reduce joint pain and stiffness in RA patients. ALA, as a precursor to EPA and DHA, is sometimes considered as a plant-based alternative.

However, the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA in humans is relatively inefficient (typically less than 10%), which limits its potential effectiveness compared to direct EPA/DHA supplementation. Some small studies and animal experiments suggest that ALA can modestly reduce markers of inflammation, but robust clinical trials specifically evaluating ALA supplementation in RA patients are limited and have shown inconsistent results. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that while omega-3 fatty acids are helpful for RA, the evidence for ALA itself is weaker than for EPA/DHA.

In summary, the use of ALA for RA is scientifically plausible due to its anti-inflammatory properties, but direct evidence supporting its effectiveness in RA is limited and not as strong as for marine-derived omega-3s. Thus, while some scientific rationale exists, clinical evidence is moderate to low, warranting a rating of 2.

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

15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
Abies spectabilis
Abrus
Actaea spicata
adrenal cortex
Akebia
Alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
amber
amentoflavone
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
andrographolide
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antler
apigenin
apocynin
Aralia
arctiin
arjunic acid
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalin
baicalein
baicalin
barbasco
bee venom
Bergenia
Black Hellebore
Black willow
bogbean
borage oil
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
carnosic acid
celery
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese pond turtle
chuchuhuasi
clematis
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cod liver oil
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cortisol
curcumin
cyanidin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
docosahexaenoic Acid
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fat liver oil
fisetin
fish protein
flavanols
flavones
Flemingia philippinensis
frankincense
fructoborate
Fumaria parviflora
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
genistein
Gentiana macrophylla
ginger
ginkgetin
green-lipped mussel
guelder rose
Gypenoside
Harpagoside
Hellebore
horse gram
hydroxytyrosol
Hyperoside
Jatropha macrantha
Kaempferol
krill oil
luteolin
madder
mangiferin
Marine fat
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Myricetin
Myristoleate
Nobiletin
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Phaeophyceae
phospholipids
Piper chaba
Polydatin
polyunsaturated fat
proteoglycans
Puerarin
Qin Jiao
resveratrol
rose hips
Salicin
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
saponins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Semecarpus anacardium
Shilajit
Silkmoth
Sinomenium acutum
slippery elm bark
smilax
Stearidonic acid
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Szechuan lovage
Tanshinone
Taxillus chinensis
teasel
turmeric
Uncaria
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Watercress
white willow
Withanolides