Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid omega-6 made in the body from linolenic acid, one of the essential fatty acids (EFA). GLA is a product of the first step in the body’s biochemical transformation of the main essential fatty acids, linolenic acid (LA), became important prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are extremely important for the proper functioning of every cell. Each cell structure in the human body depends on the fatty acids are formed from the GLA.
Also known as: GLA.
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA/) plays an important role in the fight against all the problems of inflammation/inflammatory, especially in skin disease. A positive effect is seen very clearly in allergic animals.
The background.
GLA is used in cosmetic products that aims to restore the elasticity of the skin. Excellent for dry skin or when the sebum produced excessive (seborrhoea).
Linolenic acid and inflammation.
Your body can convert linolenic acid into two forms, one of which is arachidonic acid, omega-6 fatty acids that support the functions of the brain and the muscles and also encourage inflammation. Through another route, linolenic acid in fatty acid omega-6 which inhibits inflammation – called gamma linolenic acid, or GLA. Although GLA is not commonly found in food oil, borage, and black beans are a good source of GLA supplements. Certain conditions can respond well to GLA supplemental, including diabetic neuropathy, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual and menopausal disorders, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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Omega-6 fatty acids.
Just like omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids are a plural unsaturated fatty acids and is also the essential fatty acids. In General, the omega-6 is used as energy producers, but also can be formed back into arachidonic acid (ARA) to produce eicosanoid chemicals, just like the EPA.
Although essential, but most people apparently unaware that their intake of omega-6 tend to be excessive. It is due to the high consumption of cooking oil, fried foods, and also mayonnaise. In addition, omega-6 is also widely found in nuts such as soy, almonds, and cashews. An excess of omega-6 can disrupt the balance of regulating inflammation in the body. It basically needs omega-6 in older people only slightly or about 17 grams for men and 12 grams for women.
Even so, some type of omega-6 actually remain safe despite consumed in greater amounts. One of them is omega-6 Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) from Evening Primrose plant oils and borage in the form of supplements. GLA is absorbed with converted to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) is known to be beneficial in relieving rheumatic symptoms.
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Its role in the body.
Enriching the food with the GLA helps the incorporation in the liver cells, red blood cells and vessels. Unsaturated fatty acids such as GLA helps maintain the fluidity of cell membranes, which affect the process of the exchange of substances between cells.GLA supplements enhance the production of anti-inflammatory hormone, prostaglandin type 1. Prostaglandin type 1 is made from the expense of prostaglandin type 2 synthesis, which has a pro-inflammatory effect.
The role of Gamma Linolenic Acid for health
High intake of gamma-linolenic acid can reduce inflammation and provide relief to allergy, ADHD, diabetes, eye disease, and high blood pressure. Flax and mushroom oil is another food that contains gamma-linolenic acid.
Benefits of Gamma Linolenic Acid
Gamma Linolenic Acid may be useful for the following health conditions:
- Diabetes neuropathy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Allergy
- Breast cancer
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Osteoporosis
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Diabetic neuropathy.
Some research suggests that taking gamma linolenic acid (GLA) for 6 months or more can reduce nerve pain symptoms in people with diabetic neuropathy. People who have good blood sugar control may find GLA more effective compared to a bad blood sugar control.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Studies are mixed as whether the evening primrose oil helps reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Some early evidence shows evening primrose oil can reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness in the morning, but other studies have found no effect. When using GLA for the symptoms of arthritis, it may take 1-3 months for the benefits to appear. It is unlikely that evening primrose oil will help stop the progression of the disease, so the joint damage still occurs.
