Posted by Larry Hoover on December 5, 2002, at 12:02:43
In reply to Re: GLA as a fourth prong? » Larry Hoover, posted by bluedog on December 5, 2002, at 11:28:07
> > A fourth prong would be adding GLA (gamma-linolenic acid). In the presence of fish oil, GLA is pushed down a pathway that leads to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. One gram a day of borage oil, black currant oil, or evening primrose oil. Borage has something like 23% GLA, evening primrose about half that.
>
> I consume plenty of linseeds (called flaxseeds in the US) pumpkin seeds and walnuts. I know these are good plant sources of omega-3's in the form of LNA which can be converted to EPA by the body. Do these plant food sources also contain GLA?Not appreciable amounts, which is why I mentioned those specific oils: borage, black currant, and evening primrose.
> I also read somewhere that you need the "correct " ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 EFA's in your body for the body to produce the right balance of anti-inflammatory prostoglandin hormones as opposed to prostoglandins that promote inflammation. These prostoglandin hormones obviously have many and varied essential functions in our bodies including boosting the bodies immune function. You seem to be saying that GLA will actually tip the balance of prostoglandin synthesis towards the anti-inflammatory type? My very simple understanding of these matters is that omega-3 EFA's promote anti-inflammatory prostoglandins and omega-6 EFA's promote inflammatory and blood clotting prostoglandins.(I realise that this is a VERY simplistic view but it is one that I find helpful)
Generally correct. Omega-3s go to one of the three possible types of prostaglandins, and all of that type are anti-inflammatory. Omega-6's go to one of two types, depending in large part on other processes taking place simultaneously. One of those conditions is the concentration of omega-3s in the body at the same moment.
> I see that this GLA factor complicates matters somewhat but I don't really understand how?. I know that in Western Society that our omega-3 to omega-6 balance is heavily (and unhealthfully) tilted in favour of omega-6. How difficult (or easy) would it be to tilt the balance the other way and to get too much omega-3 in the system?That would be almost impossible for most people, but the Inuit have been doing it for centuries. Their traditional diets provide 14-20 grams a day of EPA and DHA, and very low levels of omega-6 fats. They don't suffer for it. Quite the contrary, in fact.
GLA is an omega-6 fat. It's got one more unsaturated position than the far more common omega-6, linoleic acid. LA is one of the main constituents of vegetable oils of all sorts.
Because it's already unsaturated once more than that other omega-6 fatty acid, it's already heading down the path that we want. You don't have to try and influence things at this stage. GLA is elongated to dihomogammalinolenic acid (DGLA). Sorry, but that's what it's called. At this point, the direction the fatty acid takes really matters. One path takes it on to arichidonic acid, and pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, leukotrienes, cytokines. The other one takes it directly to prostaglandin synthesis, and it becomes anti-inflammatory. The presence of fish oil pushes towards anti-inflammatory outcomes for GLA. So, fish oil is anti-inflammatory, but fish oil plus GLA is doubly anti-inflammatory.
> Can too much turmeric, fish oil, GLA and bromelain actually inhibit the production of the omega-6 related prostoglandins thereby creating a whole new set of health problems? For instance you commented that I was probably taking too much turmeric in a previous post!You need some enzyme function for a lot of reasons. Better to regulate the raw materials than the machinery (enzymes) that processes them. I cannot foresee a negative health consequence of limiting omega-6. If anything, most people won't come close to doing anywhere near enough.
> Finally how do I put all these elements together in my diet and supplement plan? To put it another way what is the relationship and the correct balance between cox-1, cox-2, the inhibition of cox-1 and cox-2, Omega-3 EFA's, Omega-6 EFA's and GLA?
Simply ignore considerations of omega-6 (other than by ensuring some intake of GLA). Omega-6 intake from processed foods and vegetable oils will be quite enough. Treat you symptoms, e.g. inflammation and pain, and try to get your dietary balance more towards omega-3. Turmeric actually regulates the genes that promote inflammation, so it's not all a COX thingie. The thing is that turmeric reduces the formation of the COX enzyme, so too much is probably, well, too much.
> It seems to get pretty complicated pretty quickly!!!!
>
> thanks
> bluedogSo simplify. More fish. Less vegetable oil. If meat or eggs, go for free-range versions. Moderate use of anti-inflammatories.
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:130605
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021203/msgs/130648.html