GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid that is ANTI-inflammatory — the opposite of what you'd expect from an omega-6. While linoleic acid (the common omega-6) converts to pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid, GLA converts to DGLA (dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid), which produces PGE1 — an ANTI-inflammatory prostaglandin. Our research shows GLA from borage oil (20-24% GLA) or evening primrose oil (8-10% GLA) has moderate evidence for rheumatoid arthritis (reduced joint swelling/pain by 40%), diabetic neuropathy, and eczema. The key: delta-6 desaturase (the enzyme that converts dietary linoleic acid to GLA) is impaired by aging, diabetes, alcohol, and stress — so supplementing GLA bypasses this bottleneck.
GLA bypasses the impaired delta-6 desaturase step: dietary linoleic acid → (delta-6 desaturase) → GLA → DGLA. DGLA then has three fates: (1) COX-1 converts DGLA to PGE1 — ANTI-inflammatory prostaglandin (vasodilatory, anti-aggregatory, immunomodulatory); (2) 15-LOX converts DGLA to 15-HETrE — blocks LTB4 production (anti-inflammatory); (3) delta-5 desaturase converts DGLA to arachidonic acid (pro-inflammatory) — BUT this step is blocked by EPA (omega-3). So: GLA + EPA = maximum anti-inflammatory effect (GLA produces DGLA→PGE1, while EPA blocks DGLA→AA conversion and competes with AA for COX/LOX).
Reviewed by the Scan Dose Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board | Last updated:
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.