linolenic acid

noun

lin·​o·​le·​nic acid ˌli-nə-ˈlē-nik- 

-ˈlā-

: a liquid unsaturated fatty acid C₁₈H₃₀O₂ found especially in drying oils (such as linseed oil) and essential for the nutrition of some animals

Examples of linolenic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hemp seeds also contain omega-3 and gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 unsaturated fatty acid that can help to decrease inflammation. —Good Housekeeping, 9 Jan. 2023

How does evening primrose oil work? Gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA, is the key nutrient found in evening primrose oil that is beneficial when taken orally. —Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2023

The omega-3 in walnuts is called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) – and walnuts have more ALA in them than any other tree nut. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 12 Nov. 2022

Evening primrose oil comes from the Americas and is special for its content of gamma-linolenic acid (GNA), an essential fatty acid. —Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2022

Also packed into these F-Balms is linolenic acid (vitamin F) which boosts skin function. —Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 30 Sep. 2022

Flaxseed is an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid—the aforementioned ALA—which is an omega-3 essential fatty acid, said Shasa. —Perri O. Blumberg, Men's Health, 23 June 2022

One interesting study shows that hemp seeds, which also contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), may actually reduce the severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms in women. —Joey Skladany, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2022

Vitamin F is primarily found in linoleic acid (an omega 6 fatty acid) and linolenic acid (an omega 3). —Julie Ricevuto, Allure, 12 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, irregular from linoleic

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

linolenic acid

noun

lin·​ole·​nic acid -ˌlē-nik-, -ˌlā- 

: a liquid unsaturated fatty acid C₁₈H₃₀O₂ found especially in drying oils (as linseed oil) and essential for the nutrition of some animals