What are the benefits of supplementing Essential Fatty Acids?

People with a western style diet may benefit from supplementation, either with precursor fatty acids (linoleic acid omega-6 or alpha-linolenic acid omega-3) or with the fatty acids that appear downstream of the conversion pathway in the body, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, omega-6) or stearidonic acid (SdA, omega-3). GLA is associated with a wide range of benefits and there is a solid scientific understanding of its mode of action. GLA is considered a conditionally essential fatty acid. Although the body can make it slowly, supplementation may be necessary to provide all of the GLA that is needed. We believe that GLA is an EFA, because it can relieve all the symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency. GLA has been a very popular health food supplement for over 20 years, in the form of evening primrose oil and, more recently, borage oil (also known as starflower oil). These two oils have been consumed in large quantities (thousands of tons) during this time, and they have demonstrated an excellent safety record.