Two essential fatty acids and GLA

EPA-Glandin is a dietary supplement in the form of soft gelatin capsules with a combination of Borage oil and fish oil. Each capsule contains 80 mg of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and 140 mg of fish oil. In addition, a small amount of arachidonic acid. Both GLA and Omega-3 fatty acids in the EPA-Glandin are in the form of free fatty acids. EPA-Glandin capsules are soft and easy to swallow and because of the free fatty acids they have a good bioavailability in the body.

High bioavailability with free fatty acids

EPA-Glandin has an extraordinarily high bioavailability. This is because all of the fatty acids in the product are in the form of free fatty acids. Fatty acids are usually in the form of triglycerides, which must first be digested and broken down into "free" fatty acids in the intestine before they can be absorbed into the body. This is done with the aid from the digestive enzyme lipase. In EPA-Glandin the fatty acids are already split up and therefore readily absorbed from the intestine without the help of the body's digestive enzymes. This is especially beneficial for people with reduced fat absorption.

Difficult to overdose

EPA-Glandin is difficult to overdose, as normal ingestion of common fatty acids in our diet far exceeds the content from the capsules. A normal, healthy adult person is able to form approx. 20 mg/kg/day of GLA, and an infant gets a large amount of GLA through breast milk. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential, meaning important for life because the body cannot produce them.

If you take 1 to 2 capsules a day it is equivalent to a supplement of additional 2-4 mg/kg body weight.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a group of vital polyunsaturated fatty acids which are predominantly found in fish, especially fatty fish such as herring, salmon and mackerel. Two essential Omega-3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA supports the function of the brain*, vision* and heart**. Omega-3 fatty acids are precursors of prostaglandins of type E3 and E4.

*min. 200 mg DHA a day
**min. 250 mg DHA/EPA a day

Seeds from the Borage plant with the Latin name Borago officinalis has a natural high content of the poly-unsaturated Omega-6 fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA). It is considered non essential, as normal healthy adults can form the substance in the body. This conversion occurs predominantly from linoleic acid, which is a component of many plant oils. GLA is a precursor of prostaglandins of the type E1. Prostaglandins are a specific group of fatty acids which are produced by the the cells of the body and released into the intracellular fluid where they affect the surrounding cells in different ways depending on the type of prostaglandin. By increasing the intake of GLA in the diet you are able to increase the production of prostaglandin E1 which are involved in many functions of the body. This does not take place with other Omega-6 fatty acids.

It is quite normal for the body's own production of gamma-linolenic acid to be reduced with age. This is due to a decreasing function of the enzyme delta-6 desaturase which are necessary for the conversion of linoleic acid to GLA.

The best sources of GLA comes from food items not normally included in our daily diet. The seeds of Borage plant (Borago officinalis) contains up to 20% GLA. Blackcurrant seed oil contains from 15-17% and in third place we find the plant Evening Primrose with 8-10% GLA. Hemp oil contains small amounts.
 

Where is GLA found?

• Borage
• Blackcurrant
• Breast milk
• Evening Primrose
• Algae