Definition

1. Noun:
   • A liquid polyunsaturated fatty acid: A type of fatty acid that is liquid at room temperature, contains multiple double bonds in its carbon chain, and is found in certain plant oils.
   • An essential fatty acid: A fatty acid that is necessary for human health but cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Flaxseed oil is a rich source of linolenic acid.
  • Nutritionists emphasize the importance of consuming linolenic acid for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Advanced Usage

• "Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)": A specific type of linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid found in plants, which is a precursor to other important fatty acids in the body.
  • Alpha-linolenic acid, found in walnuts, is crucial for heart health.
• "Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)": Another specific type, an omega-6 fatty acid found in some plant seed oils.
  • Evening primrose oil is valued for its gamma-linolenic acid content.

Variants and Related Words

• Linoleic acid (n): A related essential polyunsaturated fatty acid, typically an omega-6 fatty acid.
  • Linoleic acid is abundant in sunflower oil.
• Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (n): The broader category to which linolenic acid belongs.
  • A diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids is often recommended.

Synonyms

• Essential fatty acid: A fatty acid required in the diet.
• Omega-3 fatty acid (specifically for alpha-linolenic acid): A class of essential fatty acids with specific health benefits.
• Omega-6 fatty acid (specifically for gamma-linolenic acid): Another class of essential fatty acids.

Related Phrases

• "Source of linolenic acid": A phrase describing foods or substances that contain this nutrient.
  • Chia seeds are an excellent source of linolenic acid.
• "Linolenic acid content": A phrase referring to the amount of this fatty acid present in something.
  • The linolenic acid content of canola oil is moderate.

Related Terminology

• "Essential nutrient": A substance required for normal body function that must be obtained from food, a category that includes linolenic acid.
  • Vitamins, minerals, and linolenic acid are all essential nutrients.
• "Plant-based oil": A common source category for linolenic acid.
  • Many plant-based oils, like soybean oil, contain linolenic acid.

Noun

1. a liquid polyunsaturated fatty acid that occurs in some plant oils; an essential fatty acid