06.02.14
Recent analyses by White Plains, NY-based ConsumerLab.com found that 14 of 16 plant seed oil products selected for testing contained what was stated on labels. The researchers examined various flaxseed, black currant, borage and evening primrose oils as part of its new report.
One of the supplements reviewed was found to lack the omega-6 fatty acid GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) completely, indicating that it didn’t contain a plant oil it promised. Another product mislabeled its amount of oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid.
Flaxseed oil is rich in the omega-3 fatty acid ALA (alpha-linoleic acid), while black currant, borage and evening primrose oils are good sources of the omega-6 fatty acid GLA. Supplements containing these oils are used in treating a variety of inflammatory diseases and other conditions.
In addition to testing each product for omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, ConsumerLab.com tested for freshness and potential heavy metal contamination (lead, arsenic and cadmium). ConsumerLab.com found that, among top-quality products, a consumer could obtain 200 mg of GLA for as little as 11 cents and 500 mg of ALA for just 2 cents.
One of the supplements reviewed was found to lack the omega-6 fatty acid GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) completely, indicating that it didn’t contain a plant oil it promised. Another product mislabeled its amount of oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid.
Flaxseed oil is rich in the omega-3 fatty acid ALA (alpha-linoleic acid), while black currant, borage and evening primrose oils are good sources of the omega-6 fatty acid GLA. Supplements containing these oils are used in treating a variety of inflammatory diseases and other conditions.
In addition to testing each product for omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, ConsumerLab.com tested for freshness and potential heavy metal contamination (lead, arsenic and cadmium). ConsumerLab.com found that, among top-quality products, a consumer could obtain 200 mg of GLA for as little as 11 cents and 500 mg of ALA for just 2 cents.
