Hemp’s Beneficial Omega 6 GLA Fatty Acid An impressive Spectrum of Benefits


GLA (gamma linolenic acid) is a plant-derived omega-6 most abundant in hemp seeds, although a member of the omega-6 family, it’s metabolized differently than other omega-6s.

Our modern Western diet is rife with omega-6 fats and generally deficient in omega-3 fats, a fatal imbalance that sets in motion the inflammatory processes implicated in diseases of aging. GLA can counteract this acquired enzyme defect, supplying vital biochemical precursors with powerful anti-inflammatory effects. By converting into beneficial prostaglandins (PGE1s), GLA compensates for this deficiency. The results can be a profound reduction in the impact of inflammation on cardiovascular disease, lung function, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic abnormalities including diabetes.hempfoods-300x256

Combating Obesity

FACT: Research has found that a deficiency in the Omega-6 essential fatty acid, Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA), can actually inhibit healthy weight loss and weight control. In fact, recent studies suggest that obesity is linked with low levels of GLA.

GLA assists in weight loss by significantly increasing metabolism and encouraging stored fat to effectively be used for energy. GLA activates brown adipose tissue (BAT), which is an active tissue that burns calories for heat.  When BAT is actively functioning, it acts as a powerful mechanism for weight loss and weight control.  Studies report that BAT is less active in people who are overweight.

In addition, GLA also activates the metabolic process through its role in providing the nutrients necessary to control the sodium potassium pump in each cell of the body. The sodium potassium pump is essential for cellular homeostasis, and when it’s functioning properly, it can use up to 20-50% of daily caloric energy. Thus, if the pump is not working effectively, the body will store this unused energy as fat.

As important as GLA is for an effective weight management, the challenge is that it only occurs in a very small number of foods in nature. As its name implies, it’s an essential fatty acid, meaning that it must be obtained from the diet.  I recommend hemp as the best source of GLA due to it’s easy to assimilate and naturally balanced profile of essential fatty acids.

What You Need to Know: GLA
  • Novel Cardiac Defense

    Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) is an unusual omega-6 fatty acid with powerful implications for human health.

  • Adequate GLA is required to maintain a healthy balance of anti-inflammatory signaling molecules in the body.
  • The enzyme that produces GLA from dietary fats decreases in activity with aging and in certain chronic conditions.
  • Increasing GLA intake overcomes this deficiency and can restore a healthy balance to suppress chronic inflammation.
  • GLA also may help to prevent inflammation-related changes implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and cancer.
  • GLA has proven benefits in inflammatory diseases such as eczema, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.

http://www.lef.org/magazine/2011/1/The-Beneficial-Omega-6-Fatty-Acid/Page-01

We give thanks to & recognize partial blog was written by: By Meghan Atkinson CN

 

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

css.php