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.
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