Dietary α-linolenic acid improves skin blood flow following cold exposure and endothelial function in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative trial
Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies have suggested that α-linolenic acid (ALA) improves vascular function and alleviates allergic symptoms. However, its effects on cold sensitivity, associated with peripheral vascular function, remain poorly understood. Furthermore, no studies have reported ALA's efficacy alone in healthy humans regarding vascular endothelial function or allergic symptoms. This study aimed to clarify ALA intake effects on cold sensitivity, vascular endothelial function, and ocular/nasal allergy symptoms in healthy individuals.
Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial enrolled 120 healthy Japanese adults experiencing cold sensitivity. Subjects consumed edible oils with different ALA contents (1.27 g or 2.03 g/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Cold sensitivity (blood flow and skin temperature after cold exposure), vascular endothelial function, and allergy symptoms were measured.
Results: Skin blood flow and skin surface temperature showed significantly higher values or trends toward higher values in ALA groups during early measurement period following cold exposure (p = 0.014 and 0.061, for skin surface temperature of the low- and high-dose groups, respectively). Overall flow-mediated dilation (FMD) analysis showed no significant differences between ALA groups (p = 0.128 and p = 0.412, for the low- and high-dose groups, respectively); however, subgroup analysis of subjects with pre-intervention values p = 0.038 and p = 0.043).…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 120 participants or records.
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