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Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an essential fatty acid (EFA) in the omega-6
family that is found primarily in plant-based oils. EFAs are essential to human
health but cannot be made in the body. For this reason, they must be obtained
from food. EFAs are needed for normal brain function, growth and development,
bone health, stimulation of skin and hair growth, regulation of metabolism, and
maintenance of reproductive processes.
Linoleic acid (LA), another omega-6 fatty acid, is found in cooking oils and
processed foods and converted to GLA in the body. GLA is then broken down to
arachidonic acid (AA) and/or another substance called dihomogamma-liolenic acid
(DGLA). AA can also be consumed directly from meat, and GLA is available
directly from evening primrose oil (EPO), black currant seed oil, and borage
oil. Most of these oils also contain some linoleic acid.
The average North American diet provides more than 10 times the necessary
amount of linoleic acid and tends to have too much omega-6 fatty acids compared
to omega-3 fatty acids, another important class of EFAs. In fact, for optimum
health, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids should be between 1:1 and
4:1. The typical North American and Israeli diets are usually in the range of
11:1 to 30:1. This imbalance contributes to the development of long-term
diseases such as heart disease, cancer, asthma, arthritis, and depression as
well as, possibly, increased risk of infection.
Interestingly, not all omega-6 fatty acids behave the same. Linoleic acid
(not to be confused with alpha-linolenic acid, which is in the omega-3 family)
and arachidonic acid (AA) tend to be unhealthy because they promote
inflammation, thereby increasing the risk of the diseases mentioned when
consumed in excess. In contrast, GLA may actually reduce inflammation.
Much of the GLA taken from the oils mentioned or as a supplement is not
converted to AA, but rather to DGLA. DGLA competes with AA and prevents the
negative inflammatory effects that AA would otherwise cause in the body. Having
adequate amounts of certain nutrients in the body (including magnesium,
zinc,
and vitamins C,
B3, and
B6) helps to promote the conversion of GLA to DGLA
rather than AA.
It is important to know that many experts feel that the science supporting
the use of omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation and prevent diseases is
much stronger than the information regarding use of GLA for these purposes. Two
important, and most studied, omega-3 fatty acids include eicosopentaenoic acid
(EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both found in fish and fish oils.
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Some clinicians and preliminary research suggest that GLA may be useful for
the following purposes:
Diabetes
Omega-6 fatty acid supplementation, in the form of GLA from EPO or other sources
may assist nerve function and help prevent nerve disease experienced by those
with diabetes (called peripheral neuropathy and felt as numbness, tingling,
pain, burning, or lack of sensation in the feet and/or legs).
Eye Disease
GLA may be beneficial in dry-eye conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome (a
condition with symptoms of dry eyes, dry mouth, and, often, arthritis).
Osteoporosis
A deficiency in essential fatty acids (including GLA and EPA, an omega-3 fatty
acid) can lead to severe bone loss and osteoporosis. Studies have shown that
supplements of GLA and EPA together help maintain or increase bone mass.
Essential fatty acids may also enhance calcium absorption, increase calcium
deposits in bones, diminish calcium loss in urine, improve bone strength, and
enhance bone growth, all of which may contribute to improved bone mass and,
therefore, strength.
Menopausal Symptoms
Although EPO has gained some popularity for treating hot flashes, the research
to date has not demonstrated a benefit of GLA or EPO over taking a placebo. With
that said, there are individual women who report improvement; therefore, it may
be worthwhile to talk to your doctor about whether it is safe for you to try EPO
or another form of GLA supplements to alleviate hot flashes.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Although results of studies have been mixed, some women find relief of their PMS
symptoms when using GLA supplements from EPO or another source. The symptoms
that seem to be helped the most are breast tenderness and feelings of depression
as well as irritability and swelling and bloating from fluid retention. Breast
tenderness from causes other than PMS may also improve with use of GLA.
Eczema
Several early studies suggested that EPO (rich in GLA) is more beneficial than
placebo at relieving symptoms associated with this skin condition such as
itching, redness, and scaling. However, more recent studies have not had the
same positive results testing GLA supplements derived from EPO. The bottom line
is that whether EPO and GLA supplements work for someone with eczema may be very
individual. Talk to your doctor about the possibility and safety of trying GLA
for this condition.
Allergies
People who are prone to allergies may require more EFAs and often have
difficulty converting LA to GLA. In fact, women and infants who are prone to
allergies appear to have lower levels of GLA in breast milk and blood.
To date, the use of EFAs to prevent allergic reactions or reduce their
magnitude has had mixed results. There have been some reports of individuals
lessening their allergic reaction by taking GLA from EPO. For example, one young
boy who broke out in hives when around dogs, no longer had this response after
taking EPO for one month. Well-conducted research studies are needed to
determine whether EPO can be helpful for large numbers of people with allergies.
On the other hand, a study evaluating dietary intake of omega-6 fatty acids
relative to the risk of having hay fever (called allergic rhinitis) found
different results for this other type of allergic reaction. Nurses in Japan with
higher amounts of omega-6 in their diet were more likely to have hay fever.
Omega-6 fatty acids from the diet or supplements, such as GLO from EPO or
other sources, have a longstanding history of folk use for allergies. Whether
this supplement improves your symptoms, therefore, may be very individual. Work
with your healthcare provider to first determine if it is safe for you to try
GLA and then follow your allergy symptoms closely for any signs of improvement
or lack there of.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Some preliminary information indicates that GLA, from EPO, borage oil, or black
currant seed oil, may diminish joint pain, swelling, and morning stiffness. GLA
may also allow for reduction in the amount of pain medication used by those with
rheumatoid arthritis. The studies to date, however, have been small in size.
Additional research would be helpful, including testing a proposed theory that
using GLA and EPA (an omega-3 fatty acid from fish and fish oil) together would
be helpful for rheumatoid arthritis.
In the meantime, talk to your doctor about whether using GLA is safe for you
and then pay attention, over 1 to 3 months of use, to whether your symptoms get
better or not. In terms of borage oil, some researchers theorize that it may not
be safe to use with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as
ibuprofen, which are commonly used for arthritis). This theory needs to be
tested. See Possible Interactions.
GLA for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Research to date has suggested an improvement in symptoms and behaviors related
to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from omega-3 fatty acids. Results of studies supplying omega-6 fatty
acids in the form of GLA from EPO or other sources to children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
however, have been mixed and, therefore, not conclusive. More research on GLA
for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is needed before conclusions can be drawn. In the meantime, ensuring a
healthier balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in the diet seems worthwhile
for those with this behavioral condition.
GLA for Alcoholism
EPO may help lessen cravings for alcohol and prevent liver damage. Some of this
information comes from animal studies; more research in people is needed.
Cancer
Results of studies looking at the relationship of omega-6 fatty acids to cancer
have been mixed. While LA and AA are cancer promoting in studies of colon,
breast, and other cancers, GLA has shown some benefit for breast cancer in
certain studies. The information is not conclusive and is somewhat
controversial. The safest bet is to eat a diet with the proper balance of
omega-3 to
omega-6 fatty acids (see
How To Take It), starting from a young age,
to try to prevent the development of cancer.
GLA for Weight Loss
Results of studies regarding use of EPO for weight loss have been mixed and,
therefore, use of this type of supplement won't work for everyone. One study
suggests that if the supplement is going to work, it does so mainly for
overweight individuals for whom obesity runs in the family. In addition, a few
other small studies suggest that the more overweight you are, the more likely
that EPO will help. In fact, if your body weight is only 10% above normal (for
example, 10 to 20 pounds above average), EPO is unlikely to help you lose
weight.
High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
Animal studies suggest that GLA, either alone or in combination with two
important omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA both found in fish and fish oil, may
lower the blood pressure of hypertensive rats. Together with EPA and DHA, the
GLA helped to prevent the development of heart disease in these animals as well.
It is unclear whether these benefits would occur in people.
In one study evaluating people with peripheral artery disease (blockage in
the blood vessels in the legs from atherosclerosis [plaque] causing cramping
pain when walking), men and women with this condition did experience improvement
in their blood pressure from the combination of EPA and GLA. Much more research
is needed in people before conclusions can be drawn. Plus, it may not be the GLA
conferring the benefit at all – the omega-3 fatty acids, which are better known
for improving blood pressure and the risks for heart disease, may be solely
responsible.
Ulcers
Very preliminary evidence from test tube and animal studies suggest that GLA
from EPO may have anti-ulcer properties. It is premature to know how this might
apply to people with stomach or intestinal ulcers or gastritis (inflammation of
the stomach).
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GLA is found in the plant seed oils of evening primrose, black currant,
borage, and fungal oils. Spirulina (often called blue-green algae) also contains
GLA.
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GLA supplements are derived from evening primrose oil (EPO) as well as black
currant seed and borage seed oils. The GLA supplements are often packaged in oil
containing capsules. EPO has been the most researched source of GLA.
Generally, high-quality oil will be certified as organic by a reputable third
party, packaged in light-resistant containers, refrigerated, and marked with a
freshness date.
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For general health, there should be a balance between omega-6 and omega-3
fatty acids; the ratio should be in the range of 1:1 to 4:1; the typical North
American diet, however, normally provides ratios from 11:1 to 30:1.
Pediatric
- For nursing infants, adequate amounts of essential fatty acids are
generally supplied in breast milk if the mother is adequately nourished.
- For older children, essential fatty acids should be obtained through the
diet. Because it is important to maintain a balance of fatty acids within
the body, it may be appropriate to check fatty acid levels before
considering GLA supplements for children.
It is important to note that although dietary guidelines as described have
been suggested, there are no established therapeutic doses for GLA supplements
in children. Some clinicians suggest that EPO 2,000 to 4,000 mg per day may be
used safely for children with eczema; research is needed to confirm.
Adult
- The recommended dosage for rheumatoid arthritis is 1,400 mg per day of
GLA or 3,000 mg of EPO.
- For diabetes it is 480 mg per day of GLA.
- For breast tenderness or other symptoms of PMS, 3,000 to 4,000 mg of EPO
per day is the dose suggested.
- For other conditions discussed in Uses, a specific safe and appropriate
dose of GLA supplements has not yet been established.
- Studies have suggested that up to 2,800 mg of GLA per day is well
tolerated.
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Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications,
dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a
knowledgeable healthcare provider.
Omega-6 supplements, including GLA and EPO, should not be used if you have a
seizure disorder because there have been reports of these supplements inducing
seizures.
Borage seed oil, and possibly other sources of GLA, should not be used during
pregnancy because they may be harmful to the fetus and induce early labor.
Doses of GLA greater than 3,000 mg per day should be avoided because, at that
point, production of AA (rather than DGLA) may increase.
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If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you
should not use GLA without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Ceftazidime
GLA may increase the effectiveness of ceftazidime, an antibiotic in a class
known as cephalosporins, against a variety of bacterial infections.
Chemotherapy for cancer
GLA may increase the effects of anti-cancer treatments, such as doxorubicin,
cisplatin, carboplatin, idarubicin, mitoxantrone, tamoxifen, vincristine, and
vinblastine.
Cyclosporine
Taking omega-6 fatty acids, such as GLA, during therapy with cyclosporine, a
medication used to suppress the immune system after an organ transplant, for
example, may increase the immunosuppressive effects of this medication and may
protect against kidney damage (a possible side effect from this medication).
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Theoretically, use of NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, together with borage oil or
other GLA containing supplements may counteract the effects of the supplement.
Research in this area is needed to know if this theory is accurate.
Phenothiazines for schizophrenia
Individuals taking a class of medications called phenothiazines (such as
chlorpromazine,
fluphenazine,
perphenazine, promazine, and
thioridazine) to
treat schizophrenia should not take EPO because it may interact with these
medications and increase the risk of seizures. The same may be true for other
GLA containing supplements.
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list of all supplements, vitamins
Reviewed: 01/2006
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