ABSTRACT
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an all-cis omega-6 (n-6) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), is an important essential fatty acid (EFA). EFAs are required for human health but cannot be made in the body and must be obtained from food. GLA is comprised of 18 carbon atoms with three double bonds. It is known as 18:3n-6, 6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid, (Z,Z,Z)-6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid, cis-6, cis-9, cis-12-octadecatrienoic acid, and gamolenic acid. On January 27, 1993 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that GLA is a single food ingredient and not subject to food additive regulation1, and thus many commercial products as dietary supplements are currently available on the market.
