Radhika Patel, Student Pharmacist
Spring 2022
Gamma-linolenic acid Jaeger G. The Health Benefits of GLA. Nordic Naturals. https://www.nordic.com/ healthy-science/health-benefits-of-gla. Published June 23, 2021. Accessed March 29, 2022.
Scientific Name all-cis-6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid Common Names: Gamma-linolenic acid, Gamolenic acid, GLA Background/History Gamma-linolenic acid is an omega-6, 18 carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid which is found in the human milk and several botanical seed oils, and it is typically used as a dietary supplement. Omega-6 fatty acids are essential fatty acids. They are essential fatty acids, but the human body cannot make them, so we have to consume them as a dietary supplement. Gamolenic acid is produced minimally in the body as the delta 6desaturase metabolite of linolenic acid. Then it is converted to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, which is a biosynthetic precursor of monoenoic prostaglandins such as PGE1. Gamolenic acid is also found in some fungal and it is naturally present in the form of triglyceride. Common uses Gamma-linolenic acid is used for following conditions and could also be used for rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, breast cancer, acne, mastalgia and premenstrual syndrome. ● Diabetic neuropathy: some studies show that taking GLA for six months can reduce nerve pain symptoms and people who have good control over blood sugar may find GLA more effective. ● Osteoporosis: studies suggest that people who do not take GLA supplements are more likely to have bone loss than those with normal levels of GLA. ● Menopausal symptoms: treats hot flashes and night sweats ● Breast cancer: study found that women who took tamoxifen and GLA had a better response vs the women who only took tamoxifen. ● ADHD: clinical study suggests that children with ADHD have lower levels of this fatty acid and this fatty acid is needed for the development of the brain, so taking this supplement helps reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Pharmacology/mechanism of action: When gamma-linolenic acid is absorbed in the body it gets converted into dihomo-gamolenic acid. Then they are further converted into several lipid mediators with predominantly anti-inflammatory properties such as prostaglandin-E1 and 15-HETrE. PGE1 and 15- HETrE have been known to suppress inflammation, decrease blood pressure, promote vasodilation, inhibit platelet aggregation, and exert anti-neoplastic activities. GLA also increases calcium absorption, decreases excretion and increases calcium deposition in bone. It may also stop the growth of tumor in vivo by increasing the expression of E-cadherin. This molecule acts as a suppressor of metastasis.
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