Ultra G.L.A. (Borage Oil)
High potency source of gamma linolenic acid
Westlake Laboratories’ Ultra G.L.A. is an excellent source of the important gamma linolenic acid (GLA) providing 240 mg of GLA per softgel. Weslake Lab’s Ultra G.L.A. softgels are manufactured using only 100% vegetable oil from borage seeds (Borago officinalis), with 10 I.U.s of natural vitamin E for antioxidant protection. The oil is cold-processed and handled carefully to avoid any oxidation. The oil is cold-processed and handled carefully to avoid any oxidation, as indicated by consistently low peroxide values. No solvents such as hexane are used during the extraction and processing.
Functions
Typical diets in developed countries deliver large amounts of saturated fatty acids and the polyunsaturated omega-6 linoleic and arachidonic acids. Dietary linoleic acid (18:2 omega-6) is a precursor to arachidonic acid (20:4), which in turn is a precursor for pro-inflammatory immune mediators, the 2-series prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes. Although GLA is a precursor of arachidonic acid, it also competes with arachidonic acid effectively, and may help downregulate the formation of excessive levels of pro-inflammatory 2-series prostaglandins and other immune mediators.
Indications
Westlake Laboratories’ Ultra G.L.A. softgel capsules may be a useful dietary adjunct for those who wish to supplement their diets with gamma-linolenic acid.
Formula
Each capsule contains:
Borage Seed Oil ... 1,000 mg
Vitamin E ... 10 I.U.
(d-alpha Tocopherol from mixed Tocopherols)
Providing the Following Fatty Acid Profile:
Gamma Linolenic Acid ... 240 mg
Linoleic Acid ... 431 mg
Oleic Acid ... 228 mg
Stearic Acid ... 52 mg
Hexadecenoic Acid ... 2 mg
Palmitic Acid ... 133 mg
Icosenoic Acid ... 52 mg
Docosenoic Acid ... 32 mg
Tetracosenoic Acid ... 19 mg
Suggested Use
One softgel per day or as directed as physician.
Side Effects
No adverse effects have been reported
References
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de Kock M, Lottering ML, Seegers JC. Differential cytotoxic effects of gamma-linolenic acid on MG-63 and HeLa cells. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1994;51:109-20.
Dirks J, van Aswegen CH, du Plessis DJ. Cytokine levels affected by gamma-linolenic acid. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1998;59:273-7.
du Toit PJ, van Aswegen CH, du Plessis DJ. The effect of gamma-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid on urokinase activity. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1994;51:121-4.
Fan YY, Chapkin RS. Importance of dietary gamma-linolenic acid in human health and nutrition. J Nutr 1998;128:1411-4.
Fan YY, Ramos KS, Chapkin RS. Dietary gamma-linolenic acid modulates macrophage-vascular smooth muscle cell interactions. Evidence for a macrophage-derived soluble factor that downregulates DNA synthesis in smooth muscle cells. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1995;15:1397-403.
Fiocchi A, Sala M, Signoroni P, Banderali G, Agostoni C, Riva E. The efficacy and safety of gamma-linolenic acid in the treatment of infantile atopic dermatitis. J Int Med Res 1994;22:24-32.
Graham J, Franks S, Bonney RC. In vivo and in vitro effects of gamma-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid on prostaglandin production and arachidonic acid uptake by human endometrium. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1994;50:321-9.
Guivernau M, Meza N, Barja P, Roman O. Clinical and experimental study on the long-term effect of dietary gamma-linolenic acid on plasma lipids, platelet aggregation, thromboxane formation, and prostacyclin production. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1994;51:311-6.
Harbige LS, Yeatman N, Amor S, Crawford MA. Prevention of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats by a novel fungal source of gamma-linolenic acid. Br J Nutr 1995;74:701-15.
Jamal GA. The use of gamma linolenic acid in the prevention and treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Diabet Med 1994;11:145-9.
Larsson-Backstrom C, Lindmark L, Svensson L. Effects of dietary alpha- and gamma-linolenic acids on liver fatty acids, lipid metabolism, and survival in sepsis. Shock 1995;4:11-20.
Leng GC, Lee AJ, Fowkes FG, Jepson RG, Lowe GD, Skinner ER, Mowat BF. Randomized controlled trial of gamma-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in peripheral arterial disease. Clin Nutr 1998;17:265-71.
Leventhal LJ, Boyce EG, Zurier RB. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with gammalinolenic acid [see comments]. Ann Intern Med 1993;119:867-73.
Mancuso P, Whelan J, DeMichele SJ, Snider CC, Guszcza JA, Claycombe KJ, Smith GT, Gregory TJ, Karlstad MD. Effects of eicosapentaenoic and gamma-linolenic acid on lung permeability and alveolar macrophage eicosanoid synthesis in endotoxic rats. Crit Care
Med 1997;25:523-32.
McCaul JA, Lamey PJ. Multiple oral mucoceles treated with gamma- linolenic acid: report of a case. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1994;32:392-3.
Stainforth JM, Layton AM, Goodfield MJ. Clinical aspects of the use of gamma linolenic acid in systemic sclerosis. Acta Derm Venereol 1996;76:144-6.
Van Aswegen CH, Du Plessis DJ. Can linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid be important in cancer treatment? Med Hypotheses 1994;43:415-7.
Zurier RB, Rossetti RG, Jacobson EW, DeMarco DM, Liu NY, Temming JE, White BM, Laposata M. gamma-Linolenic acid treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum 1996;39:1808-17.
Biagi PL, Bordoni A, Hrelia S, et al. The effect of gamma-linolenic acid on clinical status, red cell fatty acid composition and membrane microviscosity in infants with atopic dermatitis. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1995;20:77-84.
Christophe A, Robberecht E, Franckx H, De Baets F, van de Pas M. Effect of administration of gamma-linolenic acid on the fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids and cholesteryl esters in patients with cystic fibrosis. Ann Nutr Metab 1995;38:40-47.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
We at Westlake labs take heavy metal contamination seriously and thus test our products routinely to assure quality. We offer a survey compared to big box store brands randomly obtained over the last year.