Black Currant Capsules

DESCRIPTION

Douglas Lab’s Black Currant softgel capsules each provide 40 mg of nutritionally important gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and the essential fatty acids linoleic and alpha linolenic acid. Black Currant Capsules are manufactured using only 100% vegetable oil from the seeds of black currants. The oil is carefully handled to avoid any oxidation, as indicated by consistently low peroxide values.

FUNCTIONS

Diets in the United States and other developed countries are often rich in animal products and deliver large amounts of saturated fatty acids and the polyunsaturated arachidonic acid (20:4 omega-6). At the same time, intakes of the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (18:2 omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3 omega-3), can be low in people who do not regularly consume vegetable oils in their diets.

Arachidonic acid is a precursor for pro-inflammatory immune mediators, the 2-series prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes. Although gamma linolenic acid (18:3 omega-6, GLA) is a precursor of arachidonic acid, higher levels of dietary GLA actually compete with arachidonic acid, and may help down-regulate the formation of excessive levels of pro-inflammatory 2-series prostaglandins and other immune mediators.

Black currant seed oil is recognized as an excellent source of both GLA as well as the essential linoleic and alpha linolenic acids. Therefore, regular supplementation with Black Currant Capsules can be beneficial for people consuming diets high in animal foods and low in natural vegetable oils.

INDICATIONS

Black Currant Seed Capsules may be a useful dietary supplement for those who wish to increase their intake of gamma linolenic acid and the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid.

FORMULA (#7045)

Each Softgel Capsule contains:

Essential fatty acids with a minimum fatty acid profile as follows:

Linoleic Acid................................. 320. mg

Gamma Linolenic Acid................... 40. mg

Alpha Linolenic Acid....................... 75. mg

SUGGESTED USE

One softgel per day or as directed by physician.

SIDE EFFECTS

No adverse effects have been reported

HOW SUPPLIED

Supplied in bottles of 60 capsules.

STORAGE

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children. Black Current Capsules are very stable and maintain potency under normal conditions for at least two years.

REFERENCES

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Begin ME, Das UN. A deficiency in dietary gamma-linolenic and/or eicosapentaenoic acids may determine individual susceptibility to AIDS. Med Hypotheses 1986;20:1-8.

Bertomeu MC, Crozier GL, Haas TA, Fleith M, Buchanan MR. Selective effects of dietary fats on vascular 13-HODE synthesis and platelet/vessel wall interactions. Thromb Res 1990;59:819-30.

Bordoni A, Lopez-Jimenez JA, Spano C, Biagi P, Horrobin DF, Hrelia S. Metabolism of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids in cultured cardiomyocytes: effect of different N-6 and N-3 fatty acid supplementation. Mol Cell Biochem 1996;157:217-22.

Bourre JM, Durand G, Erre JP, Aran JM. Changes in auditory brainstem responses in alpha-linolenic acid deficiency as a function of age in rats. Audiology 1999;38:13-8.

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Bunce OR, Abou-El-Ela SH. Eicosanoid synthesis and ornithine decarboxylase activity in mammary tumors of rats fed varying levels and types of N-3 and/or N-6 fatty acids. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1990;41:105-13.

Crozier GL, Fleith M, Traitler H, Finot PA. Black currant seed oil feeding and fatty acids in liver lipid classes of guinea pigs. Lipids 1989;24:460-6.

de Lorgeril M, Renaud S, Mamelle N, Salen P, Martin JL, Monjaud I, Guidollet J, Touboul P, Delaye J. Mediterranean alpha-linolenic acid-rich diet in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease [see comments] [published erratum appears in Lancet 1995 Mar 18;345(8951):738]. Lancet 1994;343:1454-9.

Dirks J, van Aswegen CH, du Plessis DJ. Cytokine levels affected by gamma-linolenic acid. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1998;59:273-7.

du Toit PJ, van Aswegen CH, du Plessis DJ. The effect of gamma-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid on urokinase activity. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1994;51:121-4.

Fan YY, Chapkin RS. Importance of dietary gamma-linolenic acid in human health and nutrition. J Nutr 1998;128:1411-4.

Fan YY, Ramos KS, Chapkin RS. Dietary gamma-linolenic acid modulates macrophage-vascular smooth muscle cell interactions. Evidence for a macrophage-derived soluble factor that downregulates DNA synthesis in smooth muscle cells. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1995;15:1397-403.

Guivernau M, Meza N, Barja P, Roman O. Clinical and experimental study on the long-term effect of dietary gamma-linolenic acid on plasma lipids, platelet aggregation, thromboxane formation, and prostacyclin production. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1994;51:311-6.

Hu FB, Stampfer MJ, Manson JE, Rimm EB, Wolk A, Colditz GA, Hennekens CH, Willett WC. Dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid and risk of fatal ischemic heart disease among women [see comments]. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:890-7.

Inui K, Fukuta Y, Ikeda A, Kameda H, Kokuba Y, Sato M. The effect of alpha-linolenic acid-rich emulsion on fatty acid metabolism and leukotriene generation of the colon in a rat model with inflammatory bowel disease. Ann Nutr Metab 1996;40:175-82.

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Leng GC, Lee AJ, Fowkes FG, Jepson RG, Lowe GD, Skinner ER, Mowat BF. Randomized controlled trial of gamma-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in peripheral arterial disease. Clin Nutr 1998;17:265-71

Mancuso P, Whelan J, DeMichele SJ, Snider CC, Guszcza JA, Claycombe KJ, Smith GT, Gregory TJ, Karlstad MD. Effects of eicosapentaenoic and gamma-linolenic acid on lung permeability and alveolar macrophage eicosanoid synthesis in endotoxic rats. Crit Care Med 1997;25:523-32.

Narisawa T, Fukaura Y, Yazawa K, Ishikawa C, Isoda Y, Nishizawa Y. Colon cancer prevention with a small amount of dietary perilla oil high in alpha-linolenic acid in an animal model. Cancer 1994;73:2069-75.

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Spielmann D, Bracco U, Traitler H, Crozier G, Holman R, Ward M, Cotter R. Alternative lipids to usual omega 6 PUFAS: gamma-linolenic acid, alpha- linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, EPA, etc. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 1988;12:111S-123S.

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Van Aswegen CH, Du Plessis DJ. Can linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid be important in cancer treatment? Med Hypotheses 1994;43:415-7.

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^{Black Currant Capsules}

^{Rich in
alpha linolenic and essential fatty acids}

Black Currant Capsules

Rich in alpha linolenic and essential fatty acids

^{Black Currant Capsules}

^{Rich in
alpha linolenic and essential fatty acids}