ABSTRACT
The biological importance of γ-linolenic acid (GLA, 6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid) of the n-6 series is well known (1,2). GLA is a precursor in the synthesis of series 1 prostaglandins and is created in vivo by enzymatic desaturation of linoleic acid (9,12octadecadienoic acid). Certain factors such as stress, poor nutrition and aging impair the effectiveness of the 6-desaturase enzyme responsible for this conversion. Dietary supplementation with GLA is able to by-pass this impediment in the metabolic process.
