Fatty acid
Alpha-Linolenic Acid
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential omega-3 fatty acid from plants such as flaxseed and walnuts: the body has to get it from food.
Also listed as ALA, α-linolenic acid
Where can food provide ALA?
NIH lists flaxseed oil, chia seeds, walnuts and canola oil as sources. Its food table gives 7.26 g ALA per tablespoon of flaxseed oil and 1.28 g per tablespoon of canola oil. 1
How much is enough?
German DGE reference values set ALA at 0.5% of dietary energy. BfR translates that to about 1.3 g daily at 2,400 kcal and notes that ordinary foods can supply it. This is a dietary reference, not a treatment dose. 2 3