Borage seed oil contains a significantly high concentration level of GLA
Gla Omega 6 (Gamma Linoleic Acid) Benefits
Updated Mar. 27th, 2024 | Read Time: 2 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Understanding HDL Cholesterol
- Discover How GLA Omega 6 Benefits Health
- Using Quality Omega 6 Supplements
- Final Considerations When Using Omega 6
Gamma-linolenic acid is an omega-6 essential fatty acid. “Essential” means that the body does not produce the fatty acids on its own and therefore they must be taken in through the diet. Your body uses GLA to produce hormone-like substances (eicosanoids) that support cardiovascular health. GLA Omega 6 also benefits healthy cholesterol levels because healthy fats build HDL cholesterol.
Understanding HDL Cholesterol
HDL cholesterol is responsible for moving fat, from storage or plaques, into the liver where processing and excretion of fat occurs. By decreasing fatty build-up in arteries it helps to regulate blood pressure. GLA Omega 6 is also recognized for its anti-inflammatory benefits. It serves as a precursor to prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that regulate inflammation in the body. By modulating the production of prostaglandins, GLA helps to maintain a balanced inflammatory response. Chronic inflammation is linked to various health issues, including arthritis and cardiovascular diseases, making GLA an important player in overall health.
Discover How GLA Omega 6 Benefits Health
GLA helps to make the sheath (myelin) that surrounds the nerves that conduct messages from the brain to the muscles and organs of your body, performing a similar function to the insulation sheathing of electrical wires. If this protective sheath degenerates (as in MS), a "shorting out" of the message that the nerve is carrying occurs. Since healthy fats play a large role in hormone formation, borage oil can thus help optimize hormone levels in both men and women.
GLA supplements are used to help:
- Atherosclerosis
- High Cholesterol
- Arthritis
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- PMS
- Menopausal Discomforts
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Liver Cirrhosis
Using Quality Omega 6 Supplements
The best-known natural sources are borage seed oil, blackcurrant seed oil and evening primrose oil. Of these, borage seed oil contains a significantly higher concentration of GLA and is, therefore, a preferred supplement. Evening Primrose oil promotes estrogen production and so should not be used by cancer sufferers with estrogen receptor-positive tumours, use black currant seed oil instead.
Final Considerations When Using Omega 6
Ensure your GLA supplement is not processed with heat because it damages the acids and creates free radicals. Some of the damaged fats turn into trans-fatty acids, which are well known for their promotion of cardiovascular disease. Refrigerate all liquid GLA supplements and keep capsules away from heat because they can become rancid.
Omega 6 is great for skin health. Interesting to read more about this omega since you only really hear of omega 3's.
Hello Jody,
Indeed it is excellent for skin health, as is omega 7, which you don't often hear about.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/supplement-articles-omega-7/
Have a healthy day!
This article is incorrect GLA does not decrease AA; in fact, it can increase. it is a precursor of AA as well as eicosanoids (are hormones, autocrine hormones) some "good" and some "bad". it depends on 6 an 5 delta desaturase as to which path it goes down.
On another note someone called it an Omega 7; Omega 7 is palmitoleic acid it is not GLA. GLA is an omega 6
Hello Michael,
Thank you for your message. Indeed, you are correct, there seems to have been a mix-up in the
article.
GLA is a precursor to AA. This means that the body can convert GLA into AA through a series of enzymatic reactions. Therefore, increasing GLA intake should lead to an increase in AA levels in the body. I can only assume the writer meant that unlike other omega-6s, GLA tends to help lower
inflammation in the body. In any event, we will reach out to the writer and have them make the necessary adjustments to the article. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Have a healthy day.