The Benefits of Gamma

The Benefits of Gamma-Linolenic Acid

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Updated November 20, 2014.

Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.

Gamma-linolenic acid is a type of fatty acid thought to offer a number of health benefits. Found to fight inflammation. gamma-linolenic acid is typically sourced from substances like evening primrose oil. borage seed oil. and black currant oil when used in dietary supplements.

Uses for Gamma-Linolenic Acid

In addition, gamma-linolenic acid is purported to prevent cancer and heart disease.

Health Benefits of Gamma Linolenic Acid:

So far, most of the research on the health effects of taking gamma linolenic acid has involved the use of evening primrose oil and/or borage oil. Since evening primrose oil and borage oil each contain small quantities of other substances known to influence health (such as vitamin E ), it's important to note that gamma-linolenic acid is most likely not completely responsible for the oils' health effects.

1) Eczema 2) Rheumatoid Arthritis

Borage oil and evening primrose oil both show promise in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. according to a research review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2000. Although most of the data on borage oil's effectiveness come from test-tube and animal research, several small studies indicate that borage oil and evening primrose oil may ease tenderness and swelling in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

3) Menopause

While proponents suggest that the gamma linolenic acid found in evening primrose oil can alleviate menopausal symptoms (such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and disturbance in mood ), there is little scientific support for this claim. In a research review published in the American Journal of Medicine in 2005, for instance, researchers analyzed 19 studies on the use of botanical remedies for relief of menopause-related symptoms and found that evening primrose oil appeared to be ineffective.

4) Cancer

In preliminary research on cancer cells, scientists have demonstrated that gamma linolenic acid may help slow the growth of tumors and help to improve the efficacy of certain anti-cancer drugs. However, few studies have tested gamma linolenic acid's effects on cancer in humans.

Caveats

Although gamma linolenic acid is generally considered safe, there's some concern that long-term use of supplements containing gamma linolenic acid may suppress immune function and increase risk of blood clots.

In addition, borage oil may cause constipation. while evening primrose oil may cause upset stomach and nausea.

Supplements haven't been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label. Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. You can get additional tips on using supplements here .

Using Gamma-Linolenic Acid for Health

In most people, the body naturally produces a sufficient amount of gamma-linolenic acid by converting it from linoleic acid (a fatty acid found in nuts, seeds, meat, and dairy products). However, some people (such as diabetes patients) may not make enough gamma-linoleic acid and may therefore benefit from taking gamma-linolenic acid in supplement form.

Due to the limited research, it's too soon to recommend GLA supplements as a treatment for any condition. If you're considering using it, talk with your doctor first about the appropriateness and possible adverse effects. Keep in mind that alternative medicine should not be used as a substitute for standard care. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.

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_{Menendez JA. Ropero S. Lupu R. Colomer R. ",Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (18:3n-6) enhances docetaxel (Taxotere) cytotoxicity in human breast carcinoma cells: Relationship to lipid peroxidation and HER-2/neu expression.", Oncology Reports. 2004,11:1241-1252.}

_{Morse NL, Clough PM. ",A meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of Efamol evening primrose oil in atopic eczema. Where do we go from here in light of more recent discoveries?", Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2006 7(6):503-24.}

_{Takwale A, Tan E, Agarwal S, Barclay G, Ahmed I, Hotchkiss K, Thompson JR, Chapman T, Berth-Jones J. ",Efficacy and tolerability of borage oil in adults and children with atopic eczema: randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group trial.", BMJ. 2003 13,327(7428):1385.}

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Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.

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