Serum Linoleic Acid (LA)
Essential 18-carbon omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (18:2 n-6), the most abundant PUFA in human adipose and blood.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Ranges%
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
20.0 - 35.0% total fatty acids
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
22.0 - 30.0%
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Incorporated into epidermal acylceramides to maintain the stratum corneum water barrier; desaturated into gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (LA High)
- •Dietary intake of nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils
Low Levels (LA Low)
- •Essential fatty acid deficiency (causes transepidermal water loss and dermatitis)
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Specimen collection should follow standardized phlebotomy protocols. Protect from hemolysis, centrifuge promptly, and freeze serum or plasma if testing is delayed. Patient should be in a resting, fasting state where indicated.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker quantification for LA
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to essential plant omega-6 & ceramide backbone
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Serum Linoleic Acid - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34090124
- [2]LA Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35322901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Serum Linoleic Acid (LA) into overall healthspan optimization.