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Research g-Linolenic (GLA) 18:3 n6
Metabolimix+ Genova Diagnostics

g-Linolenic (GLA) 18:3 n6

Optimal Result: 0.15 - 0.54 wt %.

γ-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid containing 18 carbons and 3 double bonds (18:3n6).

It is synthesized from LA by adding a double bond using the delta-6-desaturase enzyme. This enzymatic reaction is very slow and further impaired in vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as zinc and cobalt.

Stress, smoking, alcohol, and systemic inflammatory conditions can also slow this conversion.

Since the synthesis of GLA is not efficient, dietary intake of organ meats may be considered to raise GLA levels. Also, many people supplement with GLA-containing products such as borage oil, black currant, and evening primrose. Primrose and borage oil supplementation have been studied as an effective treatment for many conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, and diabetic neuropathy. They have been shown to decrease inflammation, improve bone health, regulate lipid metabolism, and have beneficial effects on the skin.

But, whether it’s the GLA component that is beneficial or GLA’s downstream fatty acid metabolite is difficult to determine.

The clinical importance of GLA is in its rapid conversion to its downstream fatty acid dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) which is anti-inflammatory. GLA itself, however, does have physiologic importance. It has been shown to exert some tumoricidal activity in various cancers and to inhibit metastases.

GLA has been studied for its clinical importance in neurovascular deficits in diabetes and has been shown to normalize nerve conduction velocity and endoneurial blood flow.

There is some concern regarding GLA supplementation leading to rapid conversion through DGLA to arachidonic acid. Supplementing the omega-3s EPA or DHA may help to mitigate the effects since there is enzymatic competition for the delta-5-desaturase enzyme. This enzyme is responsible for both AA production and EPA metabolism.

References:

Das UN. Arachidonic acid in health and disease with focus on hypertension and diabetes mellitus: A review. Journal of advanced research. 2018;11:43-55.

- Kapoor R, Huang Y-S. Gamma linolenic acid: an antiinflammatory omega-6 fatty acid. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology. 2006;7(6):531-534.

- Tasset-Cuevas I, Fernández-Bedmar Z, Lozano-Baena MD, et al. Protective effect of borage seed oil and gamma linolenic acid on DNA: in vivo and in vitro studies. PloS one. 2013;8(2):e56986-e56986.

- Fan Y-Y, Chapkin RS. Importance of Dietary γ-Linolenic Acid in Human Health and Nutrition. The Journal of Nutrition. 1998;128(9):1411-1414.

- Sergeant S, Rahbar E, Chilton FH. Gamma-linolenic acid, Dihommo-gamma linolenic, Eicosanoids and Inflammatory Processes. European journal of pharmacology. 2016;785:77- 86.

What does it mean if your g-Linolenic (GLA) 18:3 n6 result is too high?

Elevations are seen with supplementation of borage oil, primrose, and black currant.

Additionally, the conversion to DGLA requires the elongase enzyme. Lack of vitamin and mineral cofactors, enzymatic SNPs, or competition for use of the enzyme by omega-3 fatty acids may contribute to elevated GLA. It should also be emphasized that smoking, alcohol, and systemic inflammation can slow the elongase enzyme and conversion to DGLA.

GLA has important clinical implications. The issues of safety have been investigated and GLA appears to be nontoxic. Limited cases of soft stools, belching, and abdominal bloating have been reported. Long-term human studies show that up to 2.8 g/d are well tolerated. However, the possibility exists that GLA will be metabolized through to DGLA and then increase arachidonic acid causing inflammation.

The addition of EPA or DHA may help to mitigate these effects.

What does it mean if your g-Linolenic (GLA) 18:3 n6 result is too low?

Decreased intake of the essential LA can result in low levels. Also decreased conversion by the delta-6- desaturase enzyme can result in low levels of GLA due to lack of vitamin and mineral cofactors or SNPs in the enzyme. The competition for use of delta-6-desaturase by the omega-3s should also be considered. Due to the important clinical implications of GLA and subsequent DGLA formation, supplementation with evening primrose, borage oil, and black currant may be beneficial.

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