Metabolic health
Alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3)
ALA
Included in Complete.
Compare membershipsThe plant omega-3 your body can't make.
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the main omega-3 fat in plant foods such as flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, and canola and soybean oils. Omega-3s are a family of polyunsaturated fats, and ALA is essential, which means it has to come from your diet.
Only a little becomes EPA and DHA.
Your body can turn some ALA into the long-chain omega-3s EPA and DHA, but the conversion is very limited, especially for DHA. That's why plant omega-3s don't raise EPA and DHA much.
Your ALA level mainly reflects recent intake of plant omega-3 sources. Most adults get enough ALA from food, and there's no established target for blood ALA.
Flax and walnuts raise ALA. Fish and algae raise EPA and DHA.
Questions
Does a good ALA level mean my omega-3s are fine?
It doesn't tell the whole story. ALA and the long-chain omega-3s come from different foods and do different jobs. Your EPA and DHA results, and the combined EPA plus DHA value, show that part of the picture.
What does a low ALA result mean?
It usually reflects low intake of plant omega-3 sources. Very low ALA together with low linoleic acid can be part of an essential fatty acid deficiency pattern, which is uncommon.