omega (omega)-3 fatty acid

o·me·ga (ω)-3 fat·ty ac·id

(o-māg'ă fat'ē as'id) A series of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids that includes: α-linolenic acid (all-cis-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid) or 18:3 (n-3); EPA (all-cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid) or 20:5 (n-3); and DHA (all-cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid) or 22:6 (n-3); reportedly, they play a role in lowering cholesterol and LDL levels.