Monday, October 24, 2011

Gamma-Linolenic acid can help manage red patches and scales on your skin

By Chloer Penn


What is Gamma-Linolenic Acid?

Gamma-Linolenic acid is understood by many names including y-Linolenic acid, GLA and gamoleic acid. GLA is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with a lipid number of C18:3. This tells us it's comprised of an eighteen carbon chain and has 3 double bonds. The more double bonds an oil has, the more simply it can be damaged that will lead to a short life-span. Gamma-linolenic acids therefore have a tendency to go rancid faster than other fatty acids and need to be kept in cool, dark places to increase their life. GLA is also a necessary fatty acid (EFA) being an Omega-6 fatty acid. Omega-3 and Omega-6 trans-acids are referred to as "essential trans-acids" because although our bodies need them for healthy functioning, they cannot produce them themselves.

GLA is famous for having anti inflammatory has effects on on in our body and on our skin and helps boost our immunological response. When ingested, it helps our bodies to convert linoleic acid into arachidonic acid. We can get the advantages of gamma-linolenic acid both by eating foods high in GLA and by putting it on our skin.

How does Gamma-Linolenic Acid Help Our Skin?

The general public don't right away associated GLA and skin, but Gamma-linolenic acid is excellent for our skin and has a myriad of benefits. Because it has an anti inflammatory affect on our skin, it can help calm and soothe angry, inflamed skin. Many studies have been done investigating the effects of both borage oil and evening primrose on the skin, each of which are high in GLA. In human studies evening primrose has shown great guarantee in helping to treat eczema and dermatitis. Other studies have shown that borage seed oil in a concentration of 20% has a constructive effect on eczema and psoriasis. A test with guinea pigs showed clearly that GLA in the shape of borage seedd oil helped to reverse epidermal hyperproliferation (when the skin cells reproduce too quickly). This is what happens in many skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema. The skin reproduces at a rate that is much faster than standard, and then it builds up into scaly, red patches. The guinea pigs ingested the borage seed oil instead of putting it on their skin, but it's actually possible that topical applications may be beneficial.

GLA is also wonderful for our skin to help it retain moisture and to remain supple and flexible. It soaks up quickly into the skin and repairs the skin barrier, one of the major functions of skin. Studies have proven that evening primrose oil can reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) which is useful particularly for older skin at we tend to more water in our skin the older we get. There's also some proof that gamma-linolenic acid can help with acne.

What Oils are High in Gamma-Linolenic Acid?

Gamma-Linolenic acid is primarily found in vegetable oils and essentially in what are referred to as "exotic oils". Exotic oils are named that way because they don't seem to be the common or garden oils we have a tendency to use (such as olive oil or canola oil) and they're quite costly.

Some of the oils high in Gamma-Linolenic acid include:

- Borage seed oil (twenty five percent) Has a shelf life of about six months
- Evening primrose oil (20%) Has a product life of approximately 6 months
- Blackcurrent seed oil (15%) Has a shelf life of about six months
- Hempseed oil (5%) Has a life-span of roughly three to 6 months

Almost all of do not have these oils already in our kitchen cupboards but they are still widely available when you look for them. Conveniently more cosmetic firms are staring to incorporate these ingredients into skincare lines because they're so favourable for our skin.




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