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Overview |
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As essential fatty acids, the omega-6 series are generally necessary for
stimulation of growth, maintenance of skin and hair growth, regulation of
metabolism, lipotropic activity, and maintenance of reproductive performance.
The omega-6 oil linoleic acid is specifically required to maintain the integrity
of the epidermal water barrier of the skin. Researchers believe they play an
important role in reducing the risk of many chronic degenerative diseases such
as heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Yet experts estimate that up to 80% of
Americans consume an insufficient quantity of essential fatty acids.
The omega-6 fatty acids have been shown to improve nerve conduction and
prevent neuropathy in diabetics. One animal study has suggested that the
combination of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) of the omega-6 series and ascorbate is
particularly advantageous.
GLA has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect in humans and may play
a role in treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Corroborated studies
suggest that GLA is unique among the omega-6 series in suppressing tumor growth
and metastasis. It has been shown to inhibit both motility and invasiveness of
human colon cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma cells.
Recent animal research has suggested that omega-6 fatty acids can be
beneficial in senile osteoporosis because it enhances absorption and retention
of calcium. They also can be efficacious in vasodilation, lowering of blood
pressure, and the prevention of atherosclerosis. Arachidonic acid of the omega-6
series is particularly important in normal brain function.
The optimal ratio of omega-6 oils to omega-3 oils should be 4:1. However, the
American diet provides more than 10 times the needed amount of omega-6 fatty
acids. This is because they are the primary fatty acids added to most processed
foods and are commonly used cooking oils. However, consumption of refined and
adulterated fats and oils inhibit the body's ability to use the essential fatty
acids it consumes. |

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Dietary Sources |
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Sources of omega-6 fatty acids are plant seed oils, including evening
primrose, black currant, borage, and fungal oils. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is
found in human milk and, in small amounts, in a wide variety of common foods,
particularly organ meats. Linoleic acid is found in polyunsaturated vegetable
oils, particularly sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, and soybean oil.
Arachidonic acid is found in egg yolk, organ meats, and other animal-based
foods. |

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Constituents/Composition |
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The omega-6 essential, polyunsaturated fatty acids are derived from linoleic
acid and include gamma-linoleic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (which
converts to the desirable prostaglandin E1 series) and arachidonic
acid (which converts to the unfavorable series 2 prostaglandin).
The essential fatty acids are vitamin F, yet the Food and Drug Administration
prohibits the term "vitamin F" for advertising purposes because of problems with
foods such as french fries being advertised as "vitamin enriched" because they
were fried in oil. |

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Commercial
Preparations |
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Evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil, borage oil, borage oil
capsules, soybean oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, corn
oil |

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Therapeutic Uses |
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- Rheumatoid arthritis: GLA may reduce inflammation by suppressing
T-cell proliferation and activation.
- Diabetes: Omega-6 fatty acid supplementation assists nerve function
and helps prevent nerve disease in diabetics.
- Cancer: GLA may suppress tumor growth and metastasis, particularly in
colon cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma.
- Heart disease: GLA may prevent heart disease by inhibiting plaque
formation, vasodilation, and lowering blood pressure.
- Eyes: GLA is beneficial in Sjogren's syndrome and may be useful in
other dry-eye conditions.
Supplementation may alleviate some of the symptoms of aging, alcoholism,
atopic dermatitis, osteoporosis, and premenstrual syndrome. |

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Dosage Ranges and Duration of
Administration |
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- There is no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).
- The recommended dosage for rheumatoid arthritis is 1.4 g per day of
GLA.
- Supplementation with 480 mg of GLA per day for diabetes is
recommended.
- Studies have shown that up to 2.8 g of GLA per day is well
tolerated.
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Warnings/Contraindications/Precautions |
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A healthy person eating a typical diet should reduce consumption of refined
fats and increase consumption of the essential fatty acids. Omega-6 oils are far
more available through dietary sources than omega-3 oils. |

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Side
Effects/Toxicology |
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Dietary sources of omega-6 acids appear to be completely
nontoxic. |

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Interactions |
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Cyclosporine
Rats receiving cardiac allografts that were fed a diet high in omega-6
polyunsaturated fatty acids had a significantly prolonged median graft survival
rate (14.5 days) compared to animals fed either lab chow or a diet high in
monounsaturated fatty acids and saturated fat (Haw et al. 1995). The group
treated with omega-6 had significantly higher myocardial blood flow after
cyclosporine administration than the group fed the diet of saturated fat.
Omega-6 fatty acids exhibited immunosuppressive effects because lymphocyte
responses were suppressed to a greater extent in animals treated with these
fatty acids. |

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References |
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Bolton-Smith C, Woodward M, Tavendale R. Evidence for age-related differences
in the fatty acid composition of human adipose tissue, independent of diet.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 1997;51(9):619-624.
Brown NA, Bron AJ, Harding JJ, Dewar HM. Nutrition supplements and the eye.
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Ensminger AH, Ensminger ME, Konlande JE, Robson JRK. Foods & Nutrition
Encyclopedia. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press, Inc.; 1994:684-708.
Fan YY, Chapkin RS. Importance of dietary gamma-linolenic acid in human
health and nutrition. J Nutr. 1998; 128(9): 1411-1414.
Garrison RH Jr, Somer E. The Nutrition Desk Reference. 3rd ed. New
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Haas EM. Staying Healthy with Nutrition. Berkley, Calif: Celestial
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Haw M, Linnebjerg H, Chavali SR, Forse RA. The effect of dietary
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on acute rejection and cardiac allograft
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polyunsaturated fatty acids on the expression of nm-23 in human cancer cells.
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regulates expression of maspin and the motility of cancer cells. Biochem
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Kruger MC, Coetzer H, DeWinter R, Gericke G, Papendorp DH. Calcium,
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Murray MT. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Rocklin, Calif:
Prima Publishing; 1996:239-278.
Newstrom H. Nutrients Catalog. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co. Inc;
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Shils ME, Olson JA, Shike M, Ross AC. Modern Nutrition in Health and
Disease. 9th ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1999:90-92,
1377-1378.
Wagner W, Nootbaar-Wagner U. Prophylactic treatment of migraine with
gamma-linolenic and alpha-linolenic acids. Cephalalgia.
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Werbach MR. Nutritional Influences on Illness. 2nd ed. Tarzana, Calif:
Third Line Press; 1993:13-22, 655-671.
Ziegler EE, Filer LJ, eds. Present Knowledge in Nutrition. 7th ed.
Washington, DC: ILSI Press;
1996:58-64. |

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Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine
Communications This publication contains
information relating to general principles
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