Omega-6 Deficiency
Assess whether you present clinical signs of omega-6 deficiency: dry hair, dry cracking skin, dull nails.
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Keeping your balance
Vary sources of fatty acids
Regularly integrate hemp oil and hemp seeds into your diet. They provide a naturally balanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio (3:1) and contain GLA directly, without requiring enzymatic conversion.
Support delta-6-desaturase
This key enzyme requires zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 to function properly. Ensure that your intake of these cofactors is sufficient to maintain efficient conversion of linoleic acid to GLA.
Avoid trans fatty acids
Hydrogenated fats and oils heated to high temperatures block delta-6-desaturase activity. Limit deep frying, industrial pastries and hydrogenated margarines to preserve your enzymatic conversion capacity.
What you can do
Request a fatty acid profile
A measurement of erythrocyte fatty acids allows you to measure your levels of GLA, DGLA and arachidonic acid, and indirectly evaluate delta-6-desaturase activity. The AA/EPA ratio completes the assessment by revealing overall inflammatory status.
Supplement with evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis) contains 8 to 10% GLA directly usable, bypassing delta-6-desaturase blockade. Take with meals for optimal absorption. Particularly effective in the second half of the cycle in women. Doses are set with your doctor or your naturopath, all the more so if you already take a medication.
Lift enzymatic blockade
Ensure sufficient intake of zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6, the 3 essential cofactors of delta-6-desaturase. Without them, even abundant linoleic acid intake will not be converted to active GLA. Doses are set with your doctor or your naturopath, all the more so if you already take a medication.
Hydrate skin internally and externally
Apply borage or evening primrose oil directly to dry and cracked areas (heels, fingertips) in addition to oral intake. GLA applied topically is absorbed by keratinocytes and participates in reconstitution of the skin barrier.
Integrate spirulina daily
Spirulina is one of the rare food sources containing preformed GLA. Three to 5 grams per day provide directly assimilable GLA, plus its proteins, iron and chlorophyll. Doses are set with your doctor or your naturopath.
Evening primrose and borage in herbal medicine
Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis) and borage oil (Borago officinalis) are the 2 reference plants for direct GLA intake. Borage is more concentrated (20 to 25% GLA) but evening primrose is better tolerated long-term.
What you can do
Comprehensive blood membrane fatty acid profile
Have the complete erythrocyte fatty acid profile measured to quantify the deficit in GLA and DGLA. If GLA is low despite normal or elevated linoleic acid, this confirms delta-6-desaturase blockade and guides therapeutic strategy.
Identify causes of enzymatic blockade
Delta-6-desaturase blockade always has identifiable causes: insulin resistance, cofactor deficiencies (zinc, magnesium, B6), excess trans fatty acids, chronic stress, alcoholism or aging. Correcting these causes is essential for lasting results.
Borage oil over time
Borage oil (Borago officinalis) contains 20 to 25% GLA, the highest concentration in the plant kingdom. Take (approximately GLA) for 3 months to restore DGLA levels and restart PGE1 production. Doses are set with your doctor or your naturopath, all the more so if you already take a medication.
Restore enzymatic cofactors
Simultaneously supplement with zinc bisglycinate, magnesium bisglycinate and active vitamin B6 (P5P). These 3 micronutrients are the obligatory cofactors of delta-6-desaturase and their deficiency locks down the conversion. Doses are set with your doctor or your naturopath, all the more so if you already take a medication.
Diet rich in preformed GLA
Integrate daily hemp seeds (preformed GLA), spirulina (3 to 5 g/day) and cold-pressed oils (hemp, evening primrose). Completely eliminate trans fatty acids (hydrogenated margarines, deep frying, industrial pastries) which block enzymatic conversion. Doses are set with your doctor or your naturopath.
Evening primrose for female hormonal support
Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis) is traditionally indicated for premenstrual syndrome, breast tension and hormonal skin dryness. In a three-month course in the second half of the cycle, it supports the production of regulating PGE1. Doses are set with your doctor or your naturopath, all the more so if you already take a medication.
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Related tests
This result is an educational naturopathic self-assessment. It is neither a diagnosis nor medical advice, and it does not replace a consultation. Only a health professional can confirm or rule out a disorder. If symptoms persist, or if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on any treatment, talk to your doctor before taking any supplement or herbal preparation, and never stop a treatment without medical advice.
How to read this test
Assess whether you present clinical signs of omega-6 deficiency: dry hair, dry cracking skin, dull nails. Free, 5 questions.
Omega-6 fatty acids (GLA and arachidonic acid) are essential for cellular membrane integrity, and for the health of skin and hair. Although Western diet is often too rich in pro-inflammatory omega-6, some people paradoxically present a deficiency in active forms (GLA) due to enzymatic blockade of delta-6-desaturase. This test targets the characteristic cutaneous and phanerian signs of functional deficit.
Strengths
- Rapid identification of clinical signs
- Simple self-assessment test
- Detection of cutaneous and phanerian signs typical of GLA deficiency
Limitations
- Does not replace blood testing
- Some signs may have other causes
- Limited sensitivity for subclinical deficiencies