Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)

The Omega-3 Fatty Acids Page
Find out more about how Omega-3 essential fatty acids can help reduce inflammation (pain relief) while also protecting against the development of numerous diseases.

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Marine and Botanical Oils:
An 18-month, Randomized, and Double-blind Trial
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014 (Mar 19); 2014: 857456
Although the combination of oils did not prove superior to either oil alone, patients in each group did improve significantly, so that most patients had incentive to continue the trial. In addition, these oils can substitute for NSAIDs, and the combination of both oils allows reduction of more toxic DMARDs by patients treated with agents that block TNFa. Newer formulations which provide appropriate fatty acids in smaller capsules would encourage more patients to use them rather than NSAIDs. Further studies of the combination of marine and botanical oils might provide data to persuade physicians to use them in treatment of patients on DMARDs and biologic agents, in an effort to reduce treatment with the more toxic DMARDs.

Gamma-linolenic Acid (GLA) Monograph   (PDF)
Alternative Medicine Review 2004 (Mar); 9 (1): 70–78 ~ FULL TEXT
Infants appear to lack sufficient delta-6-desaturase activity. Whereas breast milk is high in GLA and DGLA, infant formula is not. This can lead to a deficiency state in formula-fed infants, particularly skim milk-based formula.(8) GLA-deficient infants present with dryness, desquamation and thickening of the skin, and growth failure. (9,10) Subclinical deficiency of essential fatty acids has been studied in pre-term and term infants.

Can Manipulation of the Ratios of Essential Fatty Acids Slow
the Rapid Rate of Postmenopausal Bone Loss?
Alternative Medicine Review 2001 (Feb); 6 (1): 61–77 ~ FULL TEXT
The rapid rate of postmenopausal bone loss is mediated by the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Dietary supplementation with fish oil, flaxseeds, and flaxseed oil in animals and healthy humans significantly reduces cytokine production while concomitantly increasing calcium absorption, bone calcium, and bone density. Possibilities may exist for the therapeutic use of the omega-3 fatty acids, as supplements or in the diet, to blunt the increase of the inflammatory bone resorbing cytokines produced in the early postmenopausal years, in order to slow the rapid rate of postmenopausal bone loss. Evidence also points to the possible benefit of gamma-linolenic acid in preserving bone density.

Effects of Gamma-linolenic Acid and Oleic Acid on Paclitaxel
Cytotoxicity in Human Breast Cancer Cells
Eur J Cancer 2001 (Feb); 37 (3): 402–413
For comparison, the effects of other fatty acids on paclitaxel chemosensitivity were examined: GLA was the most potent at enhancing paclitaxel cytotoxicity, followed by alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n.3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), whereas linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n-6) did not increase paclitaxel toxicity. These findings provide experimental support for the use of fatty acids as modulators of tumour cell chemosensitivity in paclitaxel-based therapy.
You may review other articles about nutritional management of Cancer

Effect of Administration of Gamma-Linolenic Acid on the
Fatty Acid Composition of Serum Phospholipids and
Cholesteryl Esters in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Ann Nutr Metab 1994; 38: 40–47
In this lipid class AA and the sum of AA plus its precursor dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid increased significantly with the dose fed. A positive correlation was found between change in vital capacity and change in linoleic acid content of serum CE and AA content of serum PL.

The Use of Gamma-linolenic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy
Agents Actions Suppl 1992; 37: 120–144
The lack of GLA and its metabolites may play a major role in the development of the neuropathy. EF4 helps to correct the biochemical defects, restores levels of GLA metabolites towards normal and produces highly significant clinical and neurophysiological improvements in diabetic neuropathy.
You may review other articles about nutritional management of Diabetic Neuropathy