Posted by bluedog on December 5, 2002, at 13:15:46
In reply to Re: GLA as a fourth prong?, posted by Larry Hoover on December 5, 2002, at 12:02:43
>
> Not appreciable amounts, which is why I mentioned those specific oils: borage, black currant, and evening primrose.
>Would drinking black currant juice do the trick??
>
> GLA is an omega-6 fat. It's got one more unsaturated position than the far more common omega-6, linoleic acid. LA is one of the main constituents of vegetable oils of all sorts.
>
> Because it's already unsaturated once more than that other omega-6 fatty acid, it's already heading down the path that we want. You don't have to try and influence things at this stage. GLA is elongated to dihomogammalinolenic acid (DGLA). Sorry, but that's what it's called. At this point, the direction the fatty acid takes really matters. One path takes it on to arichidonic acid, and pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, leukotrienes, cytokines. The other one takes it directly to prostaglandin synthesis, and it becomes anti-inflammatory. The presence of fish oil pushes towards anti-inflammatory outcomes for GLA. So, fish oil is anti-inflammatory, but fish oil plus GLA is doubly anti-inflammatory.So consuming GLA (for example by taking evening primrose supplements) without fish oil would have the same effect as consuming lots of sunflower oil and actually produce a pro-inflammatory effect? Is this another example of why supplements should not be taken in isolation but synergistic relationships need to be considered? (just like with the B-compex vitamins)
>
> > Can too much turmeric, fish oil, GLA and bromelain actually inhibit the production of the omega-6 related prostoglandins thereby creating a whole new set of health problems? For instance you commented that I was probably taking too much turmeric in a previous post!
>
> You need some enzyme function for a lot of reasons. Better to regulate the raw materials than the machinery (enzymes) that processes them.Can you elaborate a little more on this statement? I don't fully understand how I can regulate EITHER the raw materials OR the machinery (enzymes). I thought that manipulating the raw materials (ie what you actually put in your body) had an intimate relationship to the enzyme machinery that processes them. I see this as a sort of chicken and egg situation. In other words the raw materials actually produce the enzymes that process the raw materials. But how are the enzymes produced in the first place to process the raw materials that produce the enzymes? Or are the enzymes already contained within the raw materials? I hope I haven't confused you?
> > Finally how do I put all these elements together in my diet and supplement plan? To put it another way what is the relationship and the correct balance between cox-1, cox-2, the inhibition of cox-1 and cox-2, Omega-3 EFA's, Omega-6 EFA's and GLA?
>
> Simply ignore considerations of omega-6 (other than by ensuring some intake of GLA). Omega-6 intake from processed foods and vegetable oils will be quite enough. Treat you symptoms, e.g. inflammation and pain, and try to get your dietary balance more towards omega-3. Turmeric actually regulates the genes that promote inflammation, so it's not all a COX thingie. The thing is that turmeric reduces the formation of the COX enzyme, so too much is probably, well, too much.
>
>
> Moderate use of anti-inflammatories.I assume you include natural inflammatories such as bromelain and turmeric in this description? By the way what is the anti-inflammatory action of bromelain? (ie how does it work?) Bromelain also can help as a digestive aid (or perhaps just eating plenty of raw pineapple will do the trick?)
Thanks for your endless patience with my endless questions.
bluedog
poster:bluedog
thread:130605
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021203/msgs/130654.html