Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)
An omega-6 fatty acid found in evening primrose, borage, hemp and black currant seed oil. GLA is also formed naturally in the body from linoleic acid (LA). Unlike (LA-derived) arachidonic acid (AA), however, GLA has anti-inflammatory activity. In the body, GLA is converted to dihomogamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) which competes with arachidonic acid and interferes with the formation of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids from it. In addition, DGLA-derived eicosanoids, such as PGE1, also have anti-inflammatory effects.
