Two essential fatty acids and GLA

Bio-Omega 3&6 is a dietary supplement with soft gelatin capsules that contain a combination of borage oil and fish oil. Each capsule contains 360 mg of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and 140 mg of fish oil. There is also a small amount of arachidonic acid. The omega-3 fatty acids in Bio-Omega 3&6 are in the form of easily absorbed free fatty acids. The GLA is in triglyceride form. Bio-Omega 3&6 capsules are soft and easy to swallow.

High bioavailability with free fatty acids

Bio-Omega 3&6 has an extraordinarily high degree of bioavailability. This is because the omega-3 fatty acids in the product are in their free form. Normally, fatty acids occur in the form of triglycerides that must be digested first and broken down into "free" fatty acids in the intestine before the body can absorb them. This digestive decomposition is handled by an enzyme called lipase. In Bio-Omega 3&6, the fatty acids have already been split up. Because this digestive step has been by-passed, the fatty acids are ready to be absorbed directly in the small intestine. This is especially beneficial for people with impaired fat absorption.

Difficult to overdose

It is difficult to overdose on Bio-Omega 3&6. The amount of fatty acids that we normally get from our diet is far more than the content in the capsules. A breastfed infant gets a large amount of GLA from the mother's breast milk.

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital polyunsaturated fatty acids which are mainly found in fish, especially oily fish such as herring, salmon, and mackerel. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential, which means they are required for normal health but cannot be synthesized by the body and therefore must be included in the diet. Two important omega-3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA support the function of the brain*, vision* and heart**. Omega-3 fatty acids are precursors of type 3 prostaglandins.

*min. 200 mg DHA a day
**min. 250 mg DHA/EPA a day

Seeds from the borage plant with the Latin name Borago officinalis have a natural high content of the poly-unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). It is considered non-essential because normal healthy adults can synthesize the substance in the body, mainly from linoleic acid which is a component of many plant oils. GLA is a precursor of type 1 prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are a group of physiologically active lipid compounds that are produced by the body's cells and released into the surrounding tissues. Different prostaglandin types have different effects. Increasing your dietary intake of GLA raises the production of type 1 prostaglandins that are involved in many beneficial functions of the body. Other omega-6 fatty acids do not affect levels of type 1 prostaglandins.

It is quite normal for the body's own synthesis of gamma-linolenic acid to decrease with age. This is due to a decreasing function of the enzyme delta-6-desaturase that is necessary for the conversion of linoleic acid into GLA.

The best sources of GLA are foods that are normally not a part of our diet. The seeds of borage (Borago officinalis) contain up to 18-26% GLA. Blackcurrant seed oil contains 15-17% GLA, followed evening primrose with 8-10% GLA. Hemp oil also contains a small amount of GLA.

Where is GLA found?
 

• Borage
• Blackcurrant
• Breast milk
• Evening Primrose
• Algae

The hardness of our soft gelatin capsules can vary. The difference depends solely on the water content of the capsule shell. We dry all our soft capsules before packaging, which makes the capsules firmer and facilitates the packaging process itself. Over time, the capsules can absorb water from the air, and this will soften the capsule shell.

The variations in the hardness of the capsule have no effect on the product quality, but if a hard capsule is a problem, a solution may be to leave the capsule outside the blister sheet for a day, whereby the capsule can absorb a little water from the air. This is generally not something we recommend, as the product will no longer be protected as when it is in the blister sheet. Another method of quickly softening the gelatin capsule is to place it in lukewarm water for one minute. However, it should be seen as an emergency solution.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated the evidence behind essential omega-3 fatty acids and has acknowledged the following claims:

• EPA* and DHA* contribute to normal heart function
  * Min. 250 mg of EPA / DHA per day
• DHA* helps to maintain normal vision
  * Min. 250 mg of DHA per day
• DHA* contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function
  * Min. 250 mg of DHA per day
• Intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contributes to normal development of vision in infants up to 12 months of age* (Art. 14)
  * The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 100 mg of DHA
• Maternal DHA intake contributes to normal development of the brain of the fetus and of breastfed infants ** (Art. 14)
  ** Info to pregnant and lactating woman: The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 200 mg of DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids for adults, i.e.,: 250 mg of DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The claim can be used only for food which provides a daily intake of at least 200 mg of DHA
• Maternal intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contributes to normal brain development in the fetus and infants that are breastfed *** (Art. 14)
  *** Info to pregnant and lactating woman: The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 200 mg of DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids for adults, i.e.,: 250 mg of DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The claim can be used only for food which provides a daily intake of at least 200 mg of DHA