Does the weight loss Secret Lie in GLA or Omega–3?

From Master Coordinator Dan Henderson
Dear Friends,
A few days ago I sent an email on “GLA and Weight Loss”.
I have now received this response from Nedra Sahr who has done significant research on this issue. I asked her if I could pass this on and she kindly agreed that I could send it to you! Hope it helps in your quest for better health!
Dan
Nedra's Reply to Dan:
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to "weigh in" on this isssue. In all my research, I have found that, with a few exceptions , Omega-3 will do everything GLA does and do it better . AND since 95% of us are deficient in Omega-3's it makes sense to work on restoring the natural balance of Omega-3 to Omega-6. Currently most Americans have a ratio of 20 Omega-6 to one Omega - 3. The true balance should be 3 Omega-6 to one Omega-3. We can correct that imbalance by avoiding all products made with the Omega-6 rich vegetable oils such as corn, cottonseed, safflower, soy and anything that says mixed vegetable oils. You'll find these oils in prepared salad dressings, baked goods and fast foods. Consider making your own salad dressings using extra virgin olive oil . Use olive oil, canola oil and perhaps a teeny bit of peanut oil for stir-frying or sauteeing. And avoid fried foods!

To help correct the imbalance consider supplementing with a minimum of 3 Omega - 3 per day. My personal recommendation...I'm sure other nutritionists might differ from me- is that I prefer always to begin supplementing the Essential Fatty Acids with the Omega-3's. While we are on this issue, flax oil which is considered a source of Omega-3's does not convert to the anti-inflammatory prostaglandin (PGE-3) as easily as fish oil sources because flax needs an enzyme called delta-6 desaturase to convert it to PG-E-3. Delta-6 desaturase is also used to break Omega-6's to PG-1 prostaglandins that are anti-inflammatory. Flax is the "step-child" waiting for its share of the delta-6 desaturase so it does not get converted to a great degree.

One more consideration: when the diet is high in Omega-6's from the vegetable oil sources the body can convert some of them to the anti-inflammatory PG-1 but if there's a huge load, the others will convert to PG-2 an inflammatory prostaglandin. You could in fact, cause a lot of inflammation in your body without ever eating the traditional sources of inflammatory prostaglandins such as meat and dairy.. Here's another another reason to avoid excess vegetable oils in your diet.

Where does GLA come in? Black Currant is the richest source. It's "breakdown" mechanism bypasses the need for the delta-6 desaturase so it can convert to the anti-inflammatory PG1 quite easily. It is an Essential Fatty Acid. While I often wait to add GLA to a program of supplementation ( usually a cost issue) I DO recommend GLA right away for PMS and certain forms of eczema and psoriasis. While some research shows that GLA is helpful for Rheumatoid Arthritis my research and my clinical experience suggest that we most always get excellent pain reduction within 4-5 days using Omega-3's and since they are in short supply for most of us, it's a bonus to begin with Omega-3's and then add GLA as needed.

One further comment since we began this discussion of using GLA for weight loss. Research shows that the use of Omega-3's is an excellent help to maintain weight loss and elevate mood. In fact, our TEAM-15 players who have maintained their weight loss for one year all are consistent users of the Omega-3's.
Here's a great web site that will speak to this issue of scientific results
using GLA for weight loss and other health conditions: CLICK HERE
Best wishes for your continued good health,
Nedra
Nedra Sahr, M.S., C.N.S.
Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist
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