✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
Updated: 2026-05-29 · v2.0 · Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhDCiteEditorial
📰Read the full GLA evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.
2
Conditional
GLA
Gamma-linolenic acid
Conditionally SafeModerateFatty Acids
RDA
Typical 240–480 mg
Target
N/A
Upper limit
No UL
Products
—
Dosage by population group — reference
🔗 Best with: Omega-3 (EPA), Vitamin E, Fish Oil (general)✅ IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards), USP Verified, NSF Contents Certified
⚠ Borage oil (24% GLA) is 3× more concentrated than EPO (8–10%) [1]
⚠ RA requires high GLA doses (1,400+ mg) for 3+ months [2]
⚠ PMS/eczema: evidence is weak despite marketing (see EPO entry) [2]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
Recommended test
No routine monitoring
Reference range / target
N/A
When to test
N/A [1].
Clinical assessment for RA/neuropathy [2].
Full lab monitoring ↓
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
GLA is the 'good omega-6' — produces anti-inflammatory PGE1. Best evidence for RA (1,400+ mg/day, takes 3+ months). Borage oil provides 3× more GLA per capsule than EPO. PMS/eczema evidence is weak (see EPO entry). GLA + EPA (omega-3) for balanced prostaglandin production [1] [2].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
See EPO entry [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
See EPO entry [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose

How to take

🍽 Timing: With meals (fat for absorption) [1].
💊 With food: With fat [1].
🚫 Avoid: Anticoagulants without monitoring [1].
2 Which form?
FormBioavailabilityVeganCost
['Borage oil (24% GLA)', 'preferred', 'Most concentrated GLA source. Fewer capsules needed [1].']StandardCheck label
['Evening primrose oil (8–10% GLA)', 'common', 'Most marketed. See EPO entry [1].']StandardCheck label
['Black currant seed oil (15–20% GLA)', '', 'Also provides ALA (omega-3). Unique dual omega profile [1].']StandardCheck label
3 Common questions
Why borage over EPO for GLA? ▼
Borage oil = 24% GLA. EPO = 8–10% GLA. You need 3× fewer borage capsules for the same GLA dose. More practical for the high doses needed in RA [1].
Is GLA an anti-inflammatory omega-6? ▼
Yes — GLA's metabolite DGLA produces anti-inflammatory PGE1 and 15-HETrE. This is the opposite of arachidonic acid (the pro-inflammatory omega-6). GLA is the 'good omega-6' [1].
4 Clinical evidence

Strong

GLA → DGLA → PGE1/15-HETrE anti-inflammatory pathway: established eicosanoid biochemistry [1]. HIGH

Moderate

Rheumatoid arthritis: systematic review showed GLA 1,400+ mg/day reduced morning stiffness and joint tenderness (modest, takes 3+ months) [2]. Diabetic neuropathy: some older positive trials [2]. MODERATE

Insufficient

PMS (see EPO entry — meta-analysis negative) [2]. Eczema/atopic dermatitis (Cochrane inconclusive) [2]. Cancer [1]. Cardiovascular [1]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events

Absolute contraindications

✕ Seizure disorder — may lower threshold, especially with phenothiazines

Relative

⚠ Anticoagulants/antiplatelets — bleeding risk
⚠ Discontinue before surgery
⚠ Pregnancy — caution

🚩 Red flags

● See EPO entry [1]
6 Interactions

Drug interactions

Anticoagulants Moderate
Mechanism: GLA antiplatelet effects. [1]
Effect: Bleeding risk. [1]
Action: Monitor [1].

Supplement synergies

Omega-3 EPA · 1–2 g EPA
GLA (anti-inflammatory omega-6) + EPA (anti-inflammatory omega-3) = balanced prostaglandin production [1].
GLA vs Omega-3GLA vs Vitamin E
7 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. GLA — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 15]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/gla/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). GLA — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/gla/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: February 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "GLA — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/gla/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG