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Re: Q to Larry on omega-3/omega-6

Posted by Larry Hoover on May 21, 2003, at 8:47:11

In reply to Q to Larry on omega-3/omega-6, posted by btnd on May 19, 2003, at 13:15:28

> Hi,
> Recently, I've been using caps which contain:
> - 350 mg linolenic acid
> - 45 mg gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
> per 1 cap (extracted from Evening Primrose Oil).

The names of these fatty acids are confusing as hell. I'd bet that if you check again, the first fatty acid you mention is probably linoleic (note: no n in the last bit).

I prefer the more specific nomenclature of IUPAC. In that format, linoleic, a doubly unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid, is called 9,12-octadecadienoic acid. That means quite literally that it is an eighteen carbon fatty acid, twice unsaturated (diene), and at the 9 and 12 positions. Subtracting 9 and 12 from 18 gives you the omega number, i.e. omega-6 and omega-9.

Alpha-linolenic is an omega-3, which you can derive from its name: 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid.

Gamma-linolenic acid is omega-6, 6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid.

> My questions are:
> - do those caps have proper amount of essential fatty acids to have an impact on depression?

They contain no omega-3s of any significance, so I doubt you'll get an effect as from fish oil. Linoleic acid can, by a complicated multi-step enzymatic process, be converted to long-chain omega-3s, but it has been clearly shown to be a very inefficient process. Some people convert with zero yield. Seldom will conversion exceed 10% (genetic differences and dietary factors are the controlling variables). In other words, you need to get your omega-3s from your diet, not from linoleic acid.

> - how different is linolenic acid (LA) from alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and does linolenic acid contain omega-3s ?

See above.

> - are those caps healthy to use everyday?

Sure, if you also take some omega-3 fatty acids (e.g. fish oil). There are numerous processes which put omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids into direct competition. Most people get way too much omega-6 as it is (vegetable oils). By taking fish oil with these particular capsules, you'll probably enhance the benefits by redirecting some of the prducts of the GLA towards beneficial signalling compounds.

> I've been taking 2 caps/day and the results are wonderful for my acne&skin, but I'm not quite sure if it works for depression/anxiety. I'd really appreciate your input.
>
>
I doubt you'd see much benefit for your depression unless you had previously been on a massively fat-restricted diet (e.g. 10-20% of calories from fat).

Lar

 

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