If I get lots of Linoleic Acid in the diet, and the body converts Linoleic Acid to GLA, why do I need to supplement with GLA?
Impairment of a critical enzyme It is true that North Americans generally consume plenty of Linoleic Acid in processed foods, margarine, and vegetable oils. It is also true that the body should convert some Linoleic Acid to GLA, which, in turn, is used to produce beneficial eicosanoids. However, many people have difficulty using Linoleic Acid due to impairment in a critical enzyme known as Delta-6-Desaturase, or “D6D”. Without this enzyme, the body cannot convert LA into GLA, halting the production of beneficial eicosanoids. Many factors in our modern lifestyle affect the D6D enzyme D6D function is impaired in many people partially due to the excessively high consumption of LA and partially due to other lifestyle factors such as smoking, sugar and alcohol consumption, stress, vitamin deficiencies, and high levels of saturated fat and trans-fatty acids in the diet. Some disease states, such as diabetes and eczema, are also associated with impaired D6D function. Arachidonic Acid in the d
