A Fatty Acid from Borage Seed Oil
You may be wondering... why take
extra oil when you are working so hard to decrease fats and oils in you
diet? It turns out that not all fats and oils are bad. Some oils are
good for our bodies. Actually, they are essential. Essential fatty
acids (EFA's) are necessary for the structure of all cell membranes and
other important metabolic functions. Gamma
linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that is needed for the production of
vital biochemicals, is derived from the essential fatty acid linolenic
acid (LA). LA is readily available in foods, especially seeds, oils,
vegetables and grains. However, there are many factors that can
interfere with the metabolic processes that convert LA to GLA. Source
Naturals Mega-GLA bypasses these tricky metabolic steps and provides
you with a direct source of GLA extracted from borage seed oil.
The Role of GLA in Metabolism
EFA's and other fatty acids such as
GLA are precursors for eicosanoids, short-lived regulatory messenger
molecules including prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes.
These molecules have a wide range of functions, including regulation of
platelet aggregation, blood clotting, smooth muscle contraction, VLDL
(Very Low Density Lipoprotein) synthesis, bile excretion, fibrinolysis,
vasodilation and vasoconstriction. Certain prostaglandins have a
soothing quality and help the body maintain a state of comfort.
Can We Obtain EFA's from Food?
Yes, but... There are two primary
types of EFA's: linolenic (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3) fatty
acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are found primarily in fish and flax seeds.
Omega-6 fatty acids are found in most seed oils, including safflower,
sunflower, soy and corn. GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid, is present in
evening primrose, black currant, and borage oils.
However,
the concentrations of GLA present are relatively low: 9%, 17%, and 24%
respectively. Therefore you would have to consume larger quantities of
these oils to obtain the equivalent amount of GLA in one Mega-GLA
capsule. In addition, there are many potential biochemical obstacles in
the metabolic pathway by which our bodies convert LA into GLA and then
to prostaglandins. Only 5-10% of dietary linolenic acid is converted
into GLA by the body. Source: Source Naturals
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Scientific References
- Anderson, J.T., et al. 1961. Fed Proc, Vol. 20, p. 96.
- Gittleman, Ann. 1997. Total Health, Vol. 19, No. 4, p. 61-62.
- Hill, E.C., et al. 1979. J Nutr, Vol. 109, p. 1759.
- Horrobin, David. 1982. Clinical Uses of Essential Fatty Acids, Eden Press.
- Horrobin, David. 1981. Journal of Holistic Medicine, Vol. 3, No. 2, p. 118-139.
- Horrobin, David. 1981. Med Hypotheses, Vol. 7, p. 1219-28.
- Horrobin, David. 1983. Reviews in Pure and Applied Pharmacological Sciences, Vol. 4, p. 339-383.
- Linder, Maria, ed. Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism. East Norwalk: Appleton & Lange, 1991.
- Simopoulos, Artemis. 1991. Am J Clin Nutr, Vol. 54, p. 438-463.
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