alpha-linolenic acid

noun

al·​pha-lin·​o·​le·​nic acid ˌal-fə-ˌli-nə-ˌlē-nik-, -ˌlā- 

: 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)

—abbreviation ALA