Definition

1. Noun:
   • A polyunsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms: Alpha-linolenic acid is a specific type of fat molecule characterized by its chemical structure containing 18 carbon atoms and multiple double bonds.
   • The only omega-3 fatty acid found in vegetable products: It is distinguished as the sole member of the omega-3 fatty acid family that is primarily sourced from plant-based materials, not from fish or animal products.
   • A fatty acid essential for nutrition: It is classified as an essential nutrient, meaning the human body cannot synthesize it and it must be obtained from the diet for normal physiological function.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Flaxseeds are a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid.
  • Nutritionists emphasize the importance of alpha-linolenic acid in a balanced diet.
  • The study compared the effects of alpha-linolenic acid from plants to those from marine sources.

Advanced Usage

• "Dietary alpha-linolenic acid": Often specified to highlight its origin from food intake.
  • Increasing dietary alpha-linolenic acid may support heart health.
• "ALA": A common initialism used in nutritional science and on food labels.
  • The product is fortified with ALA.

Variants and Related Words

• Linolenic Acid: A broader term; alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is one specific isomer (alpha form) of linolenic acid.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acid: The category to which alpha-linolenic acid belongs. Other members include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
• Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA): The general class of fats with multiple double bonds, which includes alpha-linolenic acid.

Synonyms

• ALA (the standard abbreviation).
• 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid (a systematic chemical name).
• Essential omega-3 fatty acid (plant-based) (a descriptive synonym).

Related Phrases

• "Convert into EPA and DHA": Refers to the metabolic process where the body partially converts alpha-linolenic acid into other omega-3 fatty acids.
  • The body's ability to convert alpha-linolenic acid is limited.
• "Plant-derived omega-3": A descriptive phrase highlighting its vegetable origin.
  • For vegetarians, alpha-linolenic acid is a key plant-derived omega-3.

Related Idioms

No common idioms are directly associated with this specific biochemical compound.

Noun

1. a polyunsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms; the only omega-3 fatty acid found in vegetable products; it is most abundant in canola oil; a fatty acid essential for nutrition