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What are Omega 6 Fatty Acids? What is Omega 6?

This grouping of essential fatty acids includes cis-linoleic-acid, linoleic acid and gamma-linoneic acid (GLA). The typical sources for cis-linoleic acid and linoleic acid are plants and vegetable oils (see below). In the body, some of the cis-linoleic and linoleic acid are converted into GLA which is the desired form of Omega 6. The body converts the GLA into another group of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. However, excess cis-linoleic acid and linoleic acid can form PRO-inflammatory prostaglandins. That is why it is important to ensure that you have the right amount of Omega 6 fatty acids.

Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids Food Sources:

Most foods, except human milk, contain very little GLA.

We commonly extract vegetable oils from plants, like corn and canola. However, these forms contain mostly cis-linoleic and linoleic acid, which then need to be converted in our body into GLA. The efficiency of this process (and the end result of how much GLA your body will create from the cis-linoleic and linoleic acid) will depend on other health and environmental factors like toxins, smoking, medications, stress, trans-fatty acids, and sugar.

Evening primrose oil and borage oil are more potent sources of GLA, but these are not generally used as food.

Source: 
The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book- Using Supplements for Optimal Health (2nd Edition), by Dr. Shari Lieberman, PhD and Nancy Bruning. Published by Avery Publishing Group, New York in 1997.

Related Links: 
Go Wild -- At the Fish Counter by Randy Hartnell on Chet Day's Health & Beyond website www.chetday.com