Omega 3 and 6 EPA, DHA & GLA

• ALA  alpha-linoleic acid
• EPA  eicosapentaenoic acid
• DHA  docosahexaenoic acid
• GLA gamma linolenic acid

But alpha-linoleic acid offers limited health benefits compared to GLA, DHA & EPA which have been studied the most and have many vital, life-sustaining roles.

It has long been known that these healthy omega-6 (GLA) fatty acids can positively affect our metabolism, hormone balance and especially skin. Although the body might make this fatty acid itself but mostly this is hindered by an unbalanced diet or by excessive consumption of alcohol and nicotine. Therefore borage oil can be used as a dietary supplement.

Further humans can not produce omega-3 (EPA & DHA) fatty acids, so they must be supplied within food. Consuming enough EPA and DHA omega-3s is important for general health.

EPA and DHA can be obtained from consuming cold-water fish, like salmon and tuna or from taking purified supplements made from fish oil, an excellent natural source of high quality polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 which on top seems to be the best suitable, because no one probable is eating cold water fishes every day here in central Europe.

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) advises a daily intake of 250mg of EPA & DHA.
Since 1 Jan. 2014, the daily quantity is increased to 500mg per day.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) confirm the following health claim notices, based on scientific knowledge:

• The intakes of EPA and DHA contribute to maintaining one normal heart function.
• The intakes of EPA and DHA help maintain normal blood pressure.
• The uptake of DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function.
• The uptake of DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
• The uptake of DHA contributes to normal visual development of infants up to 12 months of age.
• The intake of DHA by the mother contributes to the normal eye development in the fetus and the breast-fed infant.
• The replacement of saturated fatty acids by polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol.
• Essential fatty acids are needed for healthy growth and healthy development in children.