does anyone use gamma linolenic acid ,fatty acids

Everyday living
1

Just wondered if anyone had tried this . I had a fatty acid blood test and have been advised to use this. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

2

Hi Zoe,

A “fatty blood test” by whom? A reputable medical source, or some outfit flogging supplements?

I think Im right in saying that recent studies have discredited Omega-6 oils (of which gamma linolenic acid is one) as being of benefit in MS. Snow Leopard (Pat B, as was), first drew this to my attention.

I still take a combination of cod-liver oil and evening primrose oil (in fact ordered new stocks this morning). But I’ve got to say, I’ve never felt any better (or different at all) on them, and take them more in hope than expectation. I’m plagued by a nagging feeling I might just as well take my money outside, and drop it down the nearest drain. But on the other hand, I haven’t had a relapse for some considerable time, so am scared to change anything I’m already doing, just in case it was making a difference.

That’s the trouble once you start these things - IF you do reasonably well, you get scared to stop, even though there’s no proof of cause and effect. I sometimes wish I’d put my trust in an amulet. At least it’s only a one-off purchase, and you don’t have to keep replacing it when it runs out!

Tina

3

I had the test by bio lab in London. Apparently I’m very low in this amongst other things. Interesting to hear if others use.

4

But do Bio Lab also sell the supplements that supposedly fix whatever you’ve been “diagnosed” with? If so, it’s not a big surprise their tests come out as saying there’s something wrong that needs fixing. That’ll be how they make their money.

5

They don’t sell any supplements but they do a lot of different tests, so make money from this.

6

I thought that omega6 was quite bad for MS and causes inflamation? I take omega3, 1g. It’s meant to be anti-inflamatory. I know that I feel a lot better when I eat salmon and that contains high levels of omega3.

7

Hi,

Just to correct some mis-information.

  1. GLA is generally considered to be anti-inflammatory, unlike it’s direct precursor, Linoleic acid (just google gamma linolenic acid).

  2. Recent studies have discredited omega 3 oils ( ω-3 fatty acid treatment in multiple sclerosis (OFAMS Study): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial - PubMed ) not omega 6 oils.

  3. A proof of concept study ( Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the pathogenesis and treatment of multiple sclerosis - PubMed ) using a selected sn2 GLA rich borage oil showed both a reduction in relapse rate and EDSS score following 9 months of treatment.

  4. As for EPO, unfortunately, GLA bioavailability may be compromised due to it’s ‘position’ on oil triglycerides composition

“GLA is mainly distributed at sn-2 position in triacylglycerols in borage oil, at sn-3 position in black currant and evening primrose oils, and at sn-1 and sn-3 positions in fungal oils…and during digestion, gastric and pancreatic lipases hydrolyze fatty acids at sn-1 and sn-3 positions forming free fatty acids and…sn-2 monoacylglycerols, which are favourably absorbed”. ( http://www.brainlife.org/reprint/2005/Kapoor_R050715.pdf )

  1. For efficacy in MS intake of sn2 GLA needs to be >/= 1 g/day (from proof of concept study (see 3 above) total oil doses of 5g/day were ineffective whereas significant efficacy was observed using a dose of 14g/day).

Cheers,

Dieter

PS. I have to declare a specific interest in this area as I am a Director of a Co. which is promoting a specific GLA food product (MediOil) for the dietary management of MS