What Is Linolenic Acid (18:3) & What Foods Can I Find It In?
Linolenic acid, 18:3, is an essential polyunsaturated conjugated fatty acid.
Essential means that we must obtain it from our diet because our body requires it for good health but cannot synthesize it.
Linolenic acid tends to occur at much lower levels in the tissues of the body than linoleic acid.
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Linolenic Acid Is Essential
18:3, Linolenic acid is an essential fatty acid. (source ◳)
The body cannot synthesize linolenic acid and therefore must be supplied by the diet. (source ◳)
Linolenic acid is needed to synthesize eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). (source ◳)
Linolenic Acid In Omega 3 And 6
Linolenic acids are found in both omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) in this fatty acid family. Linolenic acid can be called the parent.
N-6 is called gamma-linolenic acid, and n-3 is called alpha-linolenic acid. (source ◳)
Foods You Can Find Linolenic Acid (18:3) In
You find Linolenic Acid (18:3) mostly in fats and oil, and nut and seed products.
Examples of food sources include
- Flaxseed Oil
- Flax Seeds
- Chia Seeds
- Walnut Oil
- Hemp Seeds
- Canola Oil
Foods That Contain Linolenic Acid (18:3) In Our Nutrition Tool
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