GLA – The Beneficial Omega 6

Omega 3 vs Omega 6

The omega essential fatty acids are essential nutrients that the body cannot produce itself and must receive from diet or supplementation.

Of all the omegas, Omega-3s and Omega-6s tend to be most abundant in food with the greatest impact on health. Omega-3s are well known for their anti-inflammatory effects as they produce anti-inflammatory compounds in the body. Conversely, most Omega-6’s produce inflammatory compounds.

In modern diets, there is a vast abundance of Omega-6 essential fatty acids and a deficiency of Omega-3 essential fatty acids. This means that a greater number of inflammatory compounds are being created from Omega-6’s vs. the anti-inflammatory compounds from Omega 3’s. As such, moderating Omega-6s and increasing Omega-3’s has become one of the primary aims for reducing inflammation.

GLA – The Anti-Inflammatory Omega 6

Although most Omega-3s and Omega-6s can be divided into pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory respectively, there is one exception.

The Omega 6 Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) also leads to anti-inflammatory effects which may help reduce pain alongside supporting skin, eye, joint and heart health.

This is because GLA produces anti-inflammatory compounds in the body similar to the Omega-3s. In contrast, the main Omega-6, Arachidonic Acid (AA) produces inflammatory substances.

GLA competes with AA for the same enzymes, therefore reducing the production of inflammatory compounds and increasing the creation of anti-inflammatory compounds such as Prostaglandin series 1 (PGE1) and Thromboxane A1.

The combination of Omega-3s and GLA can further offer a synergistic combination to help support anti-inflammatory actions in the body. Find out more and view the Nordic Naturals range here.