What is Bio-Glandin 25?
Bio-Glandin 25 is a dietary supplement containing a high content of gamma linolenic acid. Gamma linolenic is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid, and is an important component of cell membranes. Gamma linolenic acid, as a precursor of prostaglandins, is also important in healthy immune/inflammatory response function. Many food sources do not contain significant amounts of gamma linolenic acid. The most abundant sources of gamma linolenic acid include evening primrose oil, borage seed oil, and blackcurrant seed oil.
Some gamma linolenic acid can be manufactured within the body, mainly from linoleic acid which is found in some plant oils. This conversion can be inhibited by many factors, including vitamin and mineral deficiencies, smoking, alcohol consumption, a diet high in saturated fat, and some types of medication. Until recently, gamma linolenic acid supplements were produced from evening primrose oil, but borage oil has subsequently been shown to contain 2 to 3 times the levels of gamma linolenic acid.
What does gamma linolenic acid do?
Gamma linolenic acid helps to maintain healthy immune function/inflammatory response within the body. Gamma linolenic acid is an essential (omega-6) fatty acid which the body converts into hormone like compounds called prostaglandins, which regulate many aspects of the immune/inflammatory response. Prostaglandins occur in several forms, which may be anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory. Increasing the dietary intake of gamma linolenic acid preferentially generates anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.
How much gamma linolenic acid should you take?
The generally recommended intake for gamma linolenic acid is 240mg/day. Gamma linolenic acid supplements should be taken with meals to enhance absorption. If Pharma-Nord Bio-Glandin 25 (containing mainly n-6 fatty acids) is taken as a supplement, it is advisable to take a supplement containing n-3 fatty acids (e.g. Pharma-Nord Bio-Marine) to ensure an optimum ratio of n-3/n-6 essential fatty acids is maintained.
Are there adverse effects from taking gamma linolenic acid?
Gamma linolenic acid is generally well tolerated, with occasional reports of gastrointestinal disturbance. Epileptics taking anticonvulsants should not ues Bio-Glandin 25. Toxicological studies using gamma linolenic acid in extremely high doses have not shown any significant adverse effects.
About Pharma-Nord Bio-Glandin 25
Each capsule of Pharma-Nord Bio-Glandin 25 contains 500mg of borage seed oil, equivalent to 474mg of fatty acids of which 118mg is gamma linolenic acid. Pharma-Nord recommends 1-2 capsules daily. Bio-Glandin is manufactured under Danish pharmaceutical control.
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