Alpha-linolenic acid, ALA, the plant omega-3, is the dietary precursor for the long-chain omega-3 PUFA eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Polyunsaturated long-chain fats include linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. ALA is a major component of seeds, nuts and some vegetable oils.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) is a short chain Omega-3 fatty acid. It is found in a variety of plants and seed oils. The human body cannot make ALA, it is obtained through our diet.

Arachidonic acid is a long-chain fatty acid that is a C20, polyunsaturated fatty acid having four (Z)-double bonds at positions 5, 8, 11 and 14. It is an icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid and a long-chain fatty acid.

eicosapentaenoic
Conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in young women.

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the most common omega-3 fatty acid in your diet. It’s mostly found in plant foods and is an essential precursor of EPA or DHA . Only a small percentage of ALA is converted into EPA — and even less into DHA ( 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ).

The key difference between alpha lipoic acid and alpha linolenic acid is that the alpha lipoic acid can be synthesized by the body while the alpha linolenic acid cannot be synthesized by the body; hence, must be obtained from the diet. Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant found throughout the body.

: having a relatively long chain of atoms and especially carbon atoms in the molecule long-chain hydrocarbons.

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) are almost unanimously recognized for their health benefits, while only limited evidence of any health benefit is currently available specifically for the main precursor of these fatty acids, namely α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3).

Linolenic acid is a n-3 unsaturated fatty acid that is not synthesized by animal cells and must be provided as a nutrient in cell culture. Linolenic acid is poorly soluble in aqueous media and susceptible to peroxidation.

Alpha-linolenic acid, ALA, the plant omega-3, is the dietary precursor for the long-chain omega-3 PUFA eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Both undergo a series of similar conversions to reach their final fatty acid form. LNA enters the cell and is catalyzed to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) by acyl-CoA 6-desaturase (delta-6-desaturase/fatty acid desaturase 2). GLA is then converted to dihomo-gammalinolenic acid (DGLA) by elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 5 (ELOVL5).

Studies in normal healthy adults consuming western diets, which are rich in linoleic acid (LA), show that supplemental ALA raises EPA and DPA status in the blood and in breast milk.

Both LNA and ALA are essential dietary requirements for all mammals since they cannot be synthesized natively in the body. Both undergo a series of similar conversions to reach their final fatty acid form.