alpha-linolenate; alpha-linolenic acid [C18:3w3] (ALA)
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Introduction
[C18:3w3].
Function
- precursor to eicosapentaenoic (EPA) & docosahexaenoic acids (DHA)
- in humans, conversion may be limited[1].
- while conversion of linoleic acid (LA) to arachidonic acid (AA) is generally very efficient, conversion of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) to EPA & DHA is not
- in healthy individuals, 5-10% of ALA is converted to EPA, & 2-5% to DHA[2]
- conversion is more efficient for women than for men
- a possible explanation for the low conversion of ALA to EPA, a 3-enzyme process, is that the initial enzyme, 6-desaturase (EC 1.14.99.25), is rate limiting in humans, as it is in rodents[4]
- ALA itself may reduce risk of cardiovascular disease[3]
- ALA stimulates secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) from the gastrointestinal tract via FFAR1 & FFAR4[4][5]
Laboratory
More general terms
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Burdge G. Alpha-linolenic acid metabolism in men and women: nutritional and biological implications. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2004 Mar;7(2):137-44. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15075703
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Davis BC, Kris-Etherton PM. Achieving optimal essential fatty acid status in vegetarians: current knowledge and practical implications. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Sep;78(3 Suppl):640S-646S. Review. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12936959
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lanzmann-Petithory D. Alpha-linolenic acid and cardiovascular diseases. J Nutr Health Aging. 2001;5(3):179-83. Review. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11458289
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Hirasawa A, Tsumaya K, Awaji T et al Free fatty acids regulate gut incretin glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion through GPR120. Nat Med. 2005 Jan;11(1):90-4 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15619630
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Edfalk S, Steneberg P, Edlund H. Gpr40 is expressed in enteroendocrine cells and mediates free fatty acid stimulation of incretin secretion. Diabetes. 2008 Sep;57(9):2280-7 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18519800