Gamma Linolenic Acid Or GLA Is A Substance Commonly Found In Herbal Plants. GLA Is An Essential Fatty Acid Or EFA In The Omega-6 Family That Is Found Primary In Plant-based Oils. EFAs Are Essential To Human Health But The Body Cannot Manufacture Them On Its Own. For This Reason, EFAs Must Be Obtained From Food. For Normal Brain Function, The Body Needs EFAs. We Also Need Them For Growth And Development, Bone Health, Stimulation Of Skin And Hair Growth, Regulation Of Metabolism, And Maintenance Of Reproductive Processes.Before GLA Is Converted Inside The Body, It Is First In The Form Of Linoleic Acid, Which Is Another Omega-6 Fatty Acid. Linoleic Acids Can Be Found In Cooking Oils And Processed Foods. Upon Intake, The Body Will Convert The Linoliec Acid Into GLA And Then Subsequently Breaks This Down To Become Arachidonic Acid (AA) Andor Another Substance Called Dihomogamma-liolenic Acid (DGLA). For Years, Scientists Have Been Trying To Figure Out How Diet Can Contribute To The Development Of Long-term Diseases, Such As Heart Disease, Cancer, Asthman, Arthritis, And Depression As Well As, Possibly, Increased Risk Of Infection. More Recent Studies Have Shown That The Answer Lies In Our Fatty Acid Consumption. There Are Actually Two Types Of Essential Fatty Acids That The Body Needs To Promote Health. These Are The Omega-6 Fatty Acids And The Omega-3 Fatty Acids. In Order Keep Healthy, A Proper Balance Must Be Achieved In Our Intake Of These Fatty Acids. The Normal Ratio Should Be Between 1:1 And 4:1 However The Average North American Diet Provides More Than 10 Times The Necessary Amount Of GLA And Tends To Have Too Much Omega-6 Fatty Acids Compared To Omega-3 Fatty Acids. The Omega-3 And Omega-6 Ratio Of A Typical North American And Israeli Diet Is Usually In The Range Of 11:1 And 30:1.GLA: Clinical UsesPreliminary Researches On GLA Suggest That The Substance Is Useful For A Number Of Health Benefits. One, GLA May Play A Role In Treating Certain Symptoms Of Diabetes. Omega-6 Fatty Acid Supplementation In The Form Of GLA From Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) Or Other Sources May Assist Nerve Function. In This Way, It Is Helpful In Preventing Nerve Disease (neuropathy) That Is Frequently Associated With Diabetes. GLA Has A Positive Effect Against The Feeling Of Numbness, Tingling, Pain, Burning, Or Lack Sensation In The Feet Or Legs Which Are Typically Experienced By Diabetics.GLA May Also Be Beneficial In Dry-eye Conditions. Sjogrens Syndrome, A Condition With Symptoms Of Dry Eyes, Dry Mouth, And Often Arthritis, May Be Treated Using GLA Supplements.Osteoporosis Is A Condition Where A Deficiency In Essential Fatty Acids, Including GLA And EPA, Leads To Severe Bone Loss. Studies Have Shown That Supplements Of GLA And EPA Together Help Maintain Or Increase Bone Mass. Additionally, GLA May Also Help Enhance Calcium Absorption, Increase Calcium Deposits In The Bones, Diminish Calcium Loss In Urine, Improve Bone Strength, And Enhance Bone Growth.There Are Several Other Health Benefits Associated With Increasing Our Intake Of GLA. From Allergies To Alcoholism, Menopausal Syndromes To Weight Loss, There Is No Doubt That GLA Is An Extremely Beneficial Substance.Where It Is FoundGLA Is Found In The Plant Seed Oils Of Popular Herbs, Such As Evening Primrose, Black Currant, Borage, And Fungal Oils. Spirulina Or Blue-green Algae Also Contains GLA.TOTAL WORD COUNT - 557KEYWORDS "GLA" - 21 (density 3.8)
