Linolenic acid is classified as "essential fatty acid" but, although it is "essential" for the proper functioning of our body, it is not produced by the human body.

It is found mainly in the vegetable kingdom in seed oils or in fish that feed on plankton.

It serves for the correct functioning of the circulatory system and for the correct blood coagulation. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-obesity, neuroprotective and gut flora-regulating properties (1).

For more information:

Linolenic acid studies

Molecular Formula: C₁₈H₃₀O₂

Linear Formula CH₃(CH₂CH=CH)₃(CH₂)₇CO₂H

Molecular Weight: 278.436 g/mol

UNII: 0RBV727H71

CAS: 463-40-1  68424-45-3

EC Number: 270-304-8  207-334-8

PubChem Substance ID 24896311

MDL number MFCD00065720

Beilstein Registry Number 1727693

Synonyms:

• alpha-Linolenic acid
• linolenate
• (9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid
• a-Linolenic acid
• cis-Delta(9,12,15)-octadecatrienoic acid
• (Z,Z,Z)-Octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid
• cis-delta9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid
• cis,cis,cis-9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid
• all-cis-9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid
• .alpha.-Linolenic acid
• 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid
• alpha-Linolenate
• 9-cis,12-cis,15-cis-Octadecatrienoic acid
• (Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid
• (9,12,15)-linolenic acid
• 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, (Z,Z,Z)-
• Linolenic acid (8CI)
• alpha-Lnn
• 9Z,12Z,15Z-Octadecatrienoic acid
• Industrene 120

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Yuan Q, Xie F, Huang W, Hu M, Yan Q, Chen Z, Zheng Y, Liu L. The review of alpha-linolenic acid: Sources, metabolism, and pharmacology. Phytother Res. 2022 Jan;36(1):164-188. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7295.