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Research a-Linolenic
Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Markers (RBCs)

a-Linolenic

Optimal Result: 0.09 - 1 wt %.

Alpha Linoleic Acid is an “essential” fatty acid, meaning that your body cannot make it and you must obtain it from your diet. Alpha Linoleic Acid is by far the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in most human tissues.

Dietary sources of alpha-linolenic acid include:

- Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil

- Canola (rapeseed) oil

- Soybeans and soybean oil

- Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil

- Perilla seed oil

- Tofu

- Walnuts and walnut oil

Note: Alpha-linolenic acid is not the same as alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant that helps the body turn glucose into energy. This can be confusing because both alpha-linolenic acid and alpha-lipoic acid are sometimes abbreviated as ALA.

Further notes:

- A modest dietary consumption of ALA (1.2-2g) is recommended

- Do not take alpha-linolenic acid supplements if you have prostate cancer or are at high risk for getting prostate cancer (e.g., you have a father or brother with prostate cancer). There is some evidence that alpha-linolenic acid might increase the chance of getting prostate cancer.

Names and Abbreviations of the Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

Omega-6 Fatty Acids Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Linoleic acid

LA

18:2n-6

α-Linolenic acid

ALA

18:3n-3

γ-Linolenic acid

GLA

18:3n-6

Stearadonic acid

SDA

18:4n-3

Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid

DGLA

20:3n-6

Eicosatetraienoic acid

ETA

20:4n-3

Arachidonic acid

AA

20:4n-6

Eicosapentaenoic acid

EPA

20:5n-3

Adrenic acid

  

22:4n-6

Docosapentaenoic acid

DPA (n-3)

22:5n-3

Tetracosatetraenoic acid

  

24:4n-6

Tetracosapentaenoic acid

  

24:5n-3

Tetracosapentaienoic acid

  

24:5n-6

Tetracosahexaenoic acid

  

24:6n-3

Docosapentaenoic acid

DPA (n-6)

22:5n-6

Docosahexaenoic acid

DHA

22:6n-3

References:

- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4350958/

- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4224228/

- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3185114/

- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5768068/

- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2943064/

- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2943064/

- https://epi.grants.cancer.gov/diet/foodsources/fatty_acids/table6.html

- https://www.spandidos-publications.com/br/8/1/69

- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15890766

What does it mean if your a-Linolenic result is too high?

- Elevated serum alpha-linolenic acid levels are associated with decreased chance of pregnancy after in vitro fertilization

- While omega-3 fatty acids have numerous benefits and clinical indications, as with any nutraceutical, caution should be exercised to avoid adverse reactions, and careful patient selection should be employed.

- The cardioprotective effects of higher ALA intakes do not appear to be related to changes in serum lipid profiles. A meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials concluded that ALA supplementation had no effect on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglyceride levels.

What does it mean if your a-Linolenic result is too low?

One of the most common essential fatty acid deficiencies is that of alpha linolenic acid.

Alpha Linolenic Acid may be converted into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a longer fatty acid that is involved in regulation of inflammatory processes and prevention of platelet “stickiness.” Diminished platelet stickiness reduces the blood clotting that can lead to heart attack or stroke. Your body can make the other polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids from ALA. However, many things can interfere with this process including zinc deficiency, alcohol, obesity, and aging.

Severe deficiency in omega-3 intake pointed by numerous epidemiologic studies may increase the brain’s vulnerability representing an important risk factor in the development and/or deterioration of certain cardio- and neuropathologies.

Some signs of alpha-linolenic acid deficiency include:

- Loss of motor coordination

- Tingling in the extremities

- Vision impairment

- Behavioral changes.

----------------------
Dietary sources of alpha-linolenic acid include:

- Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil
- Canola (rapeseed) oil
- Soybeans and soybean oil
- Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil
- Perilla seed oil
- Tofu
- Walnuts and walnut oil

Sometimes the active ingredients in products with alpha-linolenic acid can be destroyed by exposing them to air, heat, or light. Generally, look for oil bottled in light-resistant containers, refrigerated, and marked with an expiration date. These oils are not healthful when used for cooking. Instead, use them in salad dressings and dips.

How to Take It:
The recommended adequate intake of alpha-linolenic acid in the diet is listed below:

Pediatric
- Infants who are breastfed should get enough alpha-linolenic acid if the mother eats a healthy diet.
- Infant formula should contain alpha-linolenic acid.
- Children should not need supplements.

Adult
- 1 to 2 g per day

Amounts of alpha-linolenic acid in oils and foods vary. For instance:

- Flaxseed has about 2.2 g per tbsp
- Canola oil, 1.3 g per tbsp
- Flaxseed oil, 8.5 g per tbsp
- English walnuts, .7 g per tbsp

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% Omega 3s, % Omega 6s, % Omega 9s, % Saturated Fats, 8-OHdG (urine), a-Linolenic, AA / EPA, AA/EPA, Arachidic, Arachidonic, Arsenic (whole blood), Behenic, Cadmium (whole blood), Coenzyme Q10, Ubiquinone (serum), Copper (plasma), Dihomo-g-linolenic, Docosahexaenoic, Docosapentaenoic, Docosatetraenoic, Eicosadienoic, Eicosapentaenoic, Elaidic, EPA/DGLA, g-Linolenic, Glutathione (whole blood), Heptadecanoic, LA/DGLA, Lead (whole blood), Lignoceric, Linoleic, Linoleic / DGLA, Lipid Peroxides (urine), Magnesium (RBC), Manganese (whole blood), Margaric, Mercury (whole blood), Nervonic, Oleic, Omega 3 Index, Omega 6s / Omega 3s, Omega-3 Index, Omega-6/Omega-3, Palmitic, Palmitoleic, Pentadecanoic, Potassium (RBC), Selenium (whole blood), Stearic, Stearic/Oleic, Tin (whole blood), Tricosanoic, Vaccenic, Zinc (plasma)