There are two forms of linolenic acid: alpha linolenic acid and gamma linolenic acid. Both provide the body with essential nutrients, but they differ in chemical structure. Alpha-linolenic acid is one of the three fatty acids that compose the...
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are important for brain function. You may be familiar with these fats in regard to fish consumption benefits. Fish contain the omega-3s, eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA....
Alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that is derived from plants, and it is similar to those found in fish oil. It is found in high amounts in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil and in lesser amounts in canola, soy and walnut...
Linolenic acid is a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid with 18 carbons and three double bonds. Current recommendations for omega-3 fatty acids suggest a minimum of 0.5 percent of calories from omega-3 fatty acids with 10 calories of pure...
Linoleic acid, or omega-6 fatty acid, and linolenic acid, or omega-3 fatty acid, are the two essential fatty acids. They are termed as essential because the body cannot synthesize them and needs to obtain them from the diet. A lack of either of...
Alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, may be better known as one of the omega-3 fatty acids. While saturated fats contribute to cardiovascular disease, the omega-3 fatty acids are healthy polyunsaturated fats. Like the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish,...
Alpha-linolenic acid is a type of omega-3-acid ethyl ester similar to fish oil, but produced by and ingested from plants. Alpha-linolenic acid, a fatty acid, occurs in such oils as those derived from flaxseed, as well as walnuts, soy, canola and...
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, alpha-linolenic acid is also known as ALA or LNA , and is related to omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid chains. Considered an essential fatty acid for humans, as it cannot be created within the...
Gamma linolenic acid, or GLA, is an omega-6 fatty acid typically found in plant oils such as primrose, black currant seed, and borage oils. Omega-6 fatty acids, along with omega-3s, are crucial in supporting brain function and normal growth and...
Macular degeneration affects the light-receiving cells that make up the central tissue lining the inner back of your eye. This tissue, called the macula, provides you with the central vision you need to recognize faces and perform tasks throughout...
Alpha-linolenic acid, often called ALA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid, occurs naturally in plants. Essential fatty acids can't be manufactured by your body so must be obtained from foods. Alpha-linolenic acid may not convert efficiently to two...
Gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA, is a type of essential fatty acid mainly found in plant-based oils. Typically, the body makes enough GLA from linoleic acid, but certain individuals may have difficulty converting linoleic acid to GLA. Diabetics,...
Alpha linolenic acid, or ALA for short, is a type of unsaturated fat known as an omega-3 fatty acid. Chemically unsaturated fat contains at least one double bond in its structure. This means that it is less dense than the saturated fats found in...
Prostate cancer develops from cells in the prostate gland. It is the third leading cause of death from cancer among men in the United States, according to 2008 information from the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, the survival rates...
Alpha-linoleic acids are the dietary "parents" of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. These two fatty acids are essential to our diet because unlike saturated and unsaturated fats, our bodies cannot make them. Flaxseed oil has an extremely...
News stories frequently tout the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for numerous health conditions, ranging from heart disease to Alzheimer's disease. What many news reports fail to explain is that not all omega-3 fatty acids are the same. While the...
Conjugated linoleic acid is a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids studied for their potential health benefits. There is some indication that CLA will reduce body fat in overweight adults. MayoClinic.com lists this supplement as possibly effective...
The amount of omega-3 your body needs to reduce the risk of chronic disease has not been fully determined. That is why a recommended daily allowance, or RDA, has not yet been established for omega-3. However, scientists have enough evidence to...
Walnuts provide the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids, according to the Tufts University School of Medicine. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, the form of omega-3 fatty acids derived from plants. Omega-3 fatty acids demonstrate numerous...
The ultimate goal of a diabetic diet remains to stabilize blood sugar levels. Excessive levels of glucose in the blood over a long period time can lead to serious diabetes complications; these include heart attacks, strokes, blindness and kidney...
A healthy diet requires Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids that your body cannot make. Omega-3 fatty acids have several functions in the body, such as reducing inflammation and supporting cognitive functions. Not getting enough...
Flaxseed oil contains many nutritional benefits for those who consume it regularly. You will find both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in flaxseed oil, which the body uses to prevent a number of serious health conditions. Adding flaxseed oil to...
Alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid are two essential fatty acids your body cannot produce and must get from food. Alpha-linolenic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid found in certain plant-based foods. Your body can convert alpha-linolenic acid into...
People tend to be impatient, especially when trying to lose weight. The search for the "miracle" pill is a common theme, and supplement makers have thrown ALA into the spotlight. ALA supplements are touted in fitness magazines, on television and...
Evening primrose capsules contain oil extracted from seeds of the plant Oenothera biennis. Some people use this oil either as a remedy for various health disorders or as a dietary supplement that provides the omega-6 fatty acid, gamma-linolenic...
Borage oil is one of the richest supplemental sources of omega-6 fatty acid, according to New York University. Together with omega-3, these essential fatty acids perform important functions in the body, including reducing inflammation and helping...
GLA --- gamma linolenic acid --- is an omega-6 fatty acid found primarily in the oils of plants. GLA is considered an essential fatty acid, which means it is necessary but not produced by your body, which means it must be added in your diet. GLA...
Chia plants are native to South and Central America, where ancient Aztecs incorporated them into their diet. The seeds are rich in fiber and essential fatty acids, including omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fats. Alpha-linolenic acid is the form of...
Omega-6 is a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that is needed by the human body but not made naturally. According to MayoClinic.com, omega-6 fatty acids are important in promoting heart and brain health, when eaten in moderation. Several types of...
