Linoleic Acid (LA) and Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) are EFAs. The production of GLA from dietary LA and EPA/DHA from ALA occurs only slowly, or may be blocked entirely in many people. Yet GLA and EPA are necessary precursors in the production of prostaglandins, hormones like substances that regulate vital cell activities and determine the state of health of all cells, tissues and organs.

GLA is a precursor to the beneficial Series I prostaglandins, hormone-like substances which are involved in a myriad of physiological functions including reducing platlet aggregation, lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides, decreasing inflammation, balancing various hormone functions, and maintenance of a healthy immune system. For more information on Omega 3-6 please view: Omega 6 and 3 Essential Fatty Acids.

EPA and DHA are precursors to the beneficial Series 3 prostaglandins which are also involved in a myriad of physiological functions including regulating blood pressure and blood platlets, water retention and immune function. DHA is important for the normal functions of brain and nerves, vision and hearing, adrenal function, sperm formation and thromboses, and lower blood triglycerides and cholesterol levels.

Vitamins A, D and E are also included in the formula as they are synergists to EFAs. Vitamin A is necessary for the health of all cells and is involved in vision, smell, hearing, taste, growth, bone development, cell differentiation & reproduction. Vitamin D functions as a hormone which regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism and helps maintain stable nervous system & heart action. Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant protecting Vitamin A and EFAs from oxidative damage. Vitamin E is vital to digestion & metabolism of unsaturated fats, and protects membrame integrity of cells in circulatory, digestive, respiratory, excretory & nervous systems.

Ratio between Omega 6 - Omega 3.

In our dietary goal to provide these Essential Fatty Acids during growth, pregnancy, lactation, or for therapeutic approach to the management of specific disease conditions, a balance of the Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids should be ensured. The correct balance is important to maintain normal cellular and other functions.

The ratio of omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids in all cellular lipids is approximately 4:1 except in the central nervous system, where the ratio is nearer 1:1. Human milk samples from nine different countries showed a remarkable uniformity in the ratio of 5:1 in favour of the Omega 6 fatty acids in the milk lipids in spite of the wide variations in the mother's diet in the different countries. The human red blood cell membranes also show much the same ratio.

While there is yet no clear-cut answer to what the correct balance should be, we can look at Nature to obtain guidelines on this important question. All the comparative data from various studies show a predominance of the Omega 6 fatty acids over the Omega 3. Since the Omega 3 fatty acids are preferentially metabolised in the body, a ratio of 4:1 in favour of the Omega 6 acids will ensure a balanced composition at the cellular level. Such a ratio recommendation would be applicable when the parent acids, Linoleic and Alpha-Linolenic, are the predominant constituents in the diet.

On the other hand, the longer chain derivatives such as Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA), Dihoma-Gamma-Linolenic Acid, Arachidonic Acid and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) are biologically more active and are incorporated into cell structures more efficiently. Also, the Omega 3 Acid, EPA, is preferentially incorporated into cell membranes at the expense of Arachidonic Acid. In situations where these longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are provided in the diet, a ratio of 1:1 between these Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids would be desirable to ensure a correct balance at the cellular level.

In many people, the ability to convert essential fatty acids into their important derivatives is deficient. Saturated fats, cholesterol, trans (twisted) fatty acids, and sugar interfere with essential fatty acid conversion to derivatives. Lack of certain vitamins such as niacin (B3) and pyridoxine (B6) as well as deficiency of the minerals magnesium, zinc and copper make conversion slow down or stop.

Diabetics are poor converters and virus infections interfere with conversion. Ageing slows down the rate of essential fatty acid conversion. Everyone could benefit from supplementing their diet with GLA and EPA / DHA, from which the hormone-like Prostaglandins are made.

The special blend of Evening Primrose Oil, Borage Oil, and Salmon Oil Concentrate provides a balanced dietary source of these important essential fatty acid derivatives required to make Prostaglandins, useful for conditions in which conversion is decreased or blocked. D-alpha Tocopherol is added as an anti-oxidant, to protect the precious oils in this formula from destruction by light and oxygen.

Packaging: Packed in recyclable amber PETE containers to provide the best protection for the product against oxidation.