ID 638 - Kwas gamma-linolenowy

PL: Kwas gamma-linolenowy
EN: Gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
Pdf:

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
GLA is a n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid which is present in small amounts in a variety of foods of both plant and animal origin and which can also be synthesised in the human body from its precursor linoleic acid (LA). GLA is a well recognised nutrient and can be measured in foods by established methods. This evaluation applies to GLA from all sources.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, gamma-linolenic acid, which is the subject of the health claims is sufficiently characterised.

2.3. Utrzymanie prawidłowego krążenia obwodowego (ID 638)

The claimed effect is “maintaining hands and feet in good condition (supportive measure for microcirculation and peripheral nerves)”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to maintenance of a normal peripheral blood flow.
The Panel considers that maintenance of a normal peripheral blood flow is a beneficial physiological effect.

3.3. Utrzymanie prawidłowego krążenia obwodowego (ID 638)

A total of 12 references were cited in relation to this claim. One is a monograph on GLA (no authors listed, 2004); two are general reviews on the use of evening primrose and borage oil in rheumatologic conditions (Belch and Hill, 2000) and on the effects of antioxidants in neural and vascular dysfunction in experimental diabetes (Cameron and Cotter, 1999) and one is a general review on diabetic neuropathies (Vinik et al., 2000). The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references in relation to the claim.
Four human intervention studies on the effects of GLA were presented. One was related to the symptomatic treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon (Belch et al., 1985); one related to the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (lower limb atherosclerosis, i.e. patients with intermittent claudication) (Leng et al., 1998) , and two were related to the treatment of human diabetic peripheral neuropathy (Jamal et al., 1990; Keen et al., 1993). The Panel considers that the evidence provided does not establish that results obtained in these patient populations can be extrapolated to the general population, and that no conclusions can be drawn from these studies in relation to maintenance of a normal peripheral blood flow.
Four animal studies were also presented on the effects of GLA on nerve conduction and or blood flow in diabetic rodents (Coste et al., 1999; Dines et al., 1995 and 1996; Head et al., 2000). The Panel considers that the evidence provided in the animal studies does not establish the occurrence of an effect of GLA consumption on maintenance of a normal peripheral blood flow in humans.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of GLA and maintenance of a normal peripheral blood flow.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

360-540 mg GLA/day