alpha-linolenic acid
noun
al·pha-lin·o·le·nic acid
| \ ˌal-fə-ˌli-nə-ˌlē-nik-, -ˌlā-
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Medical Definition of alpha-linolenic acid
: 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), 28 Mar. 2001
—abbreviation ALA