Supplements help in weight loss (VII): GLA

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 | Author: admin

GLA supplements GLA is the abbreviation stand for Gamma-linolenic acid. It is an essential fatty acid (EFA) in the omega-6 family that is presented primarily in plant-based oils such as safflower and sunflower oils. In fact, GLA is derived from linoleic acid, also known as omega-6 fatty acid, which is found in cooking oils and processed foods and converted to GLA in the body. The primary dietary sources of GLA are evening primrose oil (EPO), black currant seed oil and borage oil. Most of these oils also contain some linoleic acid.

GLA is essential to human health besides assist in any program for weight loss. It is the precursor for a lot of important prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that may affect blood thickness, cholesterol levels, joint health, dilation and constriction of blood vessels, inflammation, and etc. Although omega-6 fatty acids are readily available in the diet and consumed in large quantities in our diet, a lot of people are still found deficient in GLA. According to some scientists, this is because many oils that contain omega-6 are hydrogenated, which can inhibit the conversion of omega-6 to GLA.

How does GLP help in healthy weight loss

GLA plays a role in healthy weight loss as it stimulates brown adipose tissue, which translates to less body fat accumulation and more fat burning. There are quite a number of people break the weight loss plateaus just by adding GLA in their program for weight loss. However, taking GLA alone does not have strong clinical evidence helping in any program for weight loss. Results only show when taking together with a moderate caloric diet and perform some regular exercises.

There is a study suggesting that if GLA is going to work, it does so mainly for overweight people for whom obesity runs in the family. A few other clinical studies suggest that the more overweight you are, the more likely the GLA will help. If your body weight is only 10% above healthy body weight range, GLA is not going to help you losing weight.

Other study reveals that GLA helps in overweight women with PMS issues. In fact, GLA supplements in EPO form or other sources have been used for decades as important PMS treatment. Since cravings and carbohydrates binges are normally part of PMS, we can improve the healthy weight loss results by improving the PMS symptoms.

Things to consider when taking GLA

People might consider taking GLA supplements not only for healthy weight loss purpose. A lot of studies suggest that GLA may assist in few health care issues, including diabetes, eye disease (dry eyes), eczema and allergies, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis as well as joint issues.

Generally, there should be a balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in our body. The ratio should be in the range of 2:1 – 4:1 for omega-6 to omega-3. Although the average diet provides sufficient omega-6 fatty acids, GLA is somehow recommended as a lot of people are still found deficient in GLA.

As the usual sources for GLA are borage oil, evening primrose oil and black currant oil, people use to take these types of supplements, usually packaged in oil containing capsules. However, some doctors or nutrient consultants recommend getting the pure GLA supplements. According to them, it makes more sense to take directly GLA as there is vegetable oil inside EPO, for example which you might not need or want it.

Although GLA brings various benefits to overall health and healthy weight loss, we should aware that eating a well balance diet and perform right exercise are keys in any program for healthy weight loss.