linolenic acid

British  

/ -ˈliː-, ˌlɪnəʊˈlɛnɪk /

noun

1. Also called: alpha-linolenic acid.  a colourless unsaturated essential fatty acid found in drying oils, such as linseed oil, and used in making paints and synthetic resins; 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid. Formula: C 18 H 30 O 2

---

linolenic acid Scientific  

/ lĭn′ə-lĕn′ĭk /

1. An unsaturated fatty acid that has three double bonds and is a nutrient essential to the formation of prostaglandins in the human body. Linolenic acid belongs to the class of omega-3 fatty acids. It is an important component of natural drying oils (such as linseed oil) and is also found in some fish oils. Chemical formula: C ₁₈ H ₃₀ O ₂ .

---

Example Sentences

The high amounts of one omega-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid, "may have favorable nutritional implications and beneficial physiological effects on the prevention of coronary heart disease and cancer," the authors write.

From Reuters

Walnuts are a rich source of fiber, antioxidants, and unsaturated fatty acids, particularly alpha linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, and these compounds could be responsible for the beneficial effects on blood pressure.

From US News