{
  "slug": "flaxseed-ala",
  "name": "Flaxseed ALA (Plant Omega-3 · Linum usitatissimum)",
  "alternate_names": [
    "Alpha-linolenic acid",
    "Flaxseed oil",
    "Linseed ALA",
    "Plant omega-3"
  ],
  "mechanism": [
    "Plant-derived ω-3 18-carbon fatty acid; partial enzymatic conversion to EPA (5-10%) and DHA (< 1%) in humans",
    "Membrane phospholipid integration as ALA itself",
    "May modestly reduce CVD risk through lipid + blood pressure pathways"
  ],
  "target": [
    "Serum / erythrocyte ALA pool",
    "Modest effects on cardiovascular risk markers at higher dietary intakes",
    "Vegan / vegetarian ω-3 contribution where EPA + DHA intake is limited"
  ],
  "use_case": [
    "plant-based diet ω-3 contribution",
    "modest cardiovascular risk reduction at higher dietary intakes",
    "lipid-lowering adjunct via plant ω-3 pathway"
  ],
  "body_system": [
    "CARDIO",
    "METABOLISM"
  ],
  "evidence_tier": "B",
  "evidence_anchor_pmid_count": 1,
  "dosage_range": "Approximately 1.1-1.6 g ALA per day RDA-equivalent target for adults; higher intakes (4-9 g/day) commonly used in cardiovascular trials. Pan 2012 PMID 23076616 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 observational studies (n = 251,049 individuals, 15,327 CVD events) reported higher ALA exposure associated with moderately lower risk of CVD (pooled RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77-0.97; dietary intake subset RR 0.90 with significant 10% reduction)",
  "safety_notes": "Excellent safety profile; the ALA → EPA conversion is limited so flaxseed ALA is NOT an efficient substitute for direct EPA + DHA supplementation when CVD risk reduction is the goal; flax lignans (sometimes co-extracted) carry distinct phytoestrogen considerations · choose pure flaxseed oil for ALA-only intake",
  "regulatory": {
    "fda": "GRAS · DSHEA dietary supplement · ALA is not subject to a separately authorized qualified health claim (the FDA omega-3 QHC framework targets EPA + DHA specifically)",
    "efsa": "Authorized claim Reg 432/2012 ALA contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels (≥ 2 g ALA per serving threshold); CVD outcomes not covered by an ALA-specific authorized claim",
    "anvisa": "RDC 243/2018 dietary supplement · IN 28/2018 Anexo V framework available for plant omega-3 only at the generic level"
  },
  "ingredient_hub_url": "https://asxan.ai/ingredients/flaxseed-ala/",
  "related_goal_slugs": [
    "heart-health",
    "inflammation-relief"
  ],
  "related_lifestyle_slugs": [
    "plant-based",
    "senior-60-plus"
  ],
  "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-04",
  "schema_version": "nc-public-v0.2",
  "api_version": "nc-public-v0.3",
  "_meta": {
    "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-04",
    "ip_axes_disclosed": {
      "public_axes": [
        "mechanism",
        "target",
        "use_case",
        "body_system",
        "evidence_tier",
        "dosage_range",
        "safety_notes",
        "regulatory",
        "authorized_claims"
      ],
      "ip_axes_not_exposed": [
        "proprietary_formula_ratios",
        "clinical_protocol_internals",
        "rnd_pipeline_compounds",
        "supplier_specific_grade_specifications",
        "unpublished_endpoint_data"
      ],
      "rationale": "asxan.ai surfaces the educational, evidence-tier-disclosed slice. Formula composition, clinical-protocol internals, and RnD pipeline data are intentionally outside this public surface."
    }
  }
}