Beautiful skin begins with a very special fatty acid called GLA. GLA is the key to glowing, wrinkle-free, smooth skin
GLA is a Very Essential Fat
Fatty acids are good fats for optimal health. Unfortunately the North American diet is made up predominantly of bad fats from red meats and processed foods. To make matters worse when an enzyme in the body is impaired we can't make the good fats GLA, EPA or DHA. We can overcome this problem by eating fish or fish oils that contain EPA and DHA but when it comes to GLA the only way to get this important fatty acid is to take it in a nutritional supplement. GLA (gamma linolenic acid) is found in borage oil (20 to 24%) and to a lesser extent evening primrose oil (8 to 10%). GLA is not found in food in high enough quantities to maintain our needs through diet alone.
GLA Eases Cramps and Breast Pain
GLA deficiency is a major cause of PMS. A healthy body creates GLA via an enzyme from fats such as sunflower oil into prostaglandins, which are hormone-like compounds that regulate blood clotting, inflammation and muscle contraction. Just before menstruation a cascade of prostaglandins are initiated in the uterus which causes the constriction of blood vessels and contractions that cause pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting, bloating and headaches that coincide with PMS. There are good prostaglandins and bad prostaglandins. Painful menstruation and breast pain are caused by low levels of good anti-inflammatory prostaglandins which are made from GLA. In many women with breast pain and terrible PMS their ability to make GLA is often impaired.
GLA, Menopause and Skin
In women who have gone through menopause, the enzyme that converts food into GLA becomes impaired. GLA is a major component of beautiful skin. GLA makes your skin luminescent, dewy and glowing. The main reason our skin becomes dull and thick after menopause is due to the inability to make GLA. After menopause it is essential that we take a daily dose of GLA to ensure beautiful skin.
GLA and Skin Health
GLA is a component of healthy skin. GLA helps to maintain the stability and fluidity of the natural water loss barrier in our skin. Skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, dermatitis, cradle cap, acne and dry skin occur. GLA is vital for keeping skin cells moist and strong improving the barrier function of the skin. GLA is safe for all ages without the side effects seen with steroid creams.
Cradle cap and infant dermatitis or dry crusts on the skin occur on the scalp, face, armpits, chest and groin area and can be treated with topical GLA oil. 48 infants with dermatitis were given twice daily applications of GLA oil for 6 weeks with complete relief. One teaspoon containing 500 mg of GLA should be applied twice a day.
GLA has also been found to inhibit male hormones in the skin that cause acne. GLA can be taken both internally and applied externally to acne prone areas with excellent results.
GLA and Breast Cancer
In a British study women with advanced metastatic breast cancer taking Tamoxifen (a cancer drug that blocks estrogen) who also took GLA had a much faster response than those on Tamoxifen alone. Participants received 300 mg of GLA per day. The United Kingdom Cancer Research Campaign reports that GLA holds great potential in new cancer treatments.
GLA and Bone Density
Studies performed over 18 months found that when GLA was combined with calcium, GLA enhanced the absorption of calcium and improved bone density and prevented bone loss.
Each capsule contains:
GLA (From organic Canadian borage seeds) 1000 mg
