Arcadia Biosciences, an agricultural biotechnology company focused on developing technologies and products that benefit the environment and enhance human health, announced the commercial launch of SONOVA ULTRA GLA Safflower Oil.
With 55 percent gamma linolenic acid (GLA), this addition to the company's nutritional oils portfolio offers a GLA concentration more than twice as high as produced in any other commercial oilseed.
Traditional sources of GLA oil contain relatively low amounts of the important omega-6 fatty acid and are often difficult to cultivate, making supply erratic and expensive. Evening primrose oil contains approximately 10 percent GLA, and borage oil contains approximately 20 percent GLA.
In 2011, Arcadia launched SONOVA 400 GLA Safflower Oil, containing 40 percent GLA, to give consumers and formulators a more highly concentrated and cost-effective source of GLA. Consumers benefit by having to take fewer capsules per day to achieve a health benefit, and dietary supplement and medical food companies benefit through more efficient formulations.
Gamma linolenic acid is an important nutritional omega-6 fatty acid with documented health benefits that are similar and complementary to those of omega-3 fatty acids.
GLA provides dietary support for a wide range of conditions such as weight management, skin health and women's health (hormonal balance), with the core of its health benefits related to its anti-inflammatory attributes.
GLA, in combination with the important omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA that are typically found in fish oil, has been shown to support heart and eye health and to reduce inflammation, asthma, diabetic neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis.
Current GLA research is focused on childhood and adolescent ADHD/ADD, adult diabetes and metabolic syndrome, inflammation and cardiovascular disease, atopic dermatitis and acne.
"Consumers seeking to maximize the benefits of functional ingredients are demanding increased efficacy with smaller doses," said Eric Rey, president and CEO of Arcadia.
Both SONOVA 400 and SONOVA ULTRA GLA Safflower Oil are grown and produced in the United States under strict Identity Preservation (IP) protocols. SONOVA ULTRA GLA Safflower Oil is currently available in bulk oil and softgels. Arcadia also offers retail-ready packaged softgels.
