alpha-linolenic acid

noun

al·​pha-lin·​o·​le·​nic acid ˌal-fə-ˌli-nə-ˌlē-nik-, -ˌlā- How to pronounce alpha-linolenic acid (audio)
: an isomer of linolenic acid that is an omega-3 fatty acid found especially in seeds (such as flaxseed and soybean) and the oil prepared from them
… the body does convert alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed oil into the same type of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil in a somewhat slow and inefficient process.Pat Kendall, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
abbreviation ALA

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Cite this Entry

“Alpha-linolenic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/alpha-linolenic%20acid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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