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Mega GLA Sesame Lignans

Life Extension
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(891 ratings)
Gamma Linolenic Acid 400 mg
Product Image
Score78
A concentrated one-softgel GLA product with modest sesame lignans. Strong dose is offset by incomplete processing and label details.
How scoring works
Quantity:30 Softgel(s) • (30 servings)
Goals:
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Skin Health

Score 78

A concentrated one-softgel GLA product with modest sesame lignans. Strong dose is offset by incomplete processing and label details.
How scoring works
$21.00($0.70 per serving)
Pure Formulas
$ 21.00
iHerb
$ 21.00
Vitacost
$ 21.00
Vitacost
$ 21.00
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Analysis

One softgel supplies 400 mg of GLA from borage seed oil, a substantial focused amount. Ten milligrams of sesame lignans add a small complementary component without distracting from the main active.

The exact GLA yield is clear, but the borage-oil source line is malformed in the supplied data. No extraction method or antioxidant stabilization is stated for the polyunsaturated oil.

Thirty servings create a short supply, though concentration keeps the formula practically useful. It suits users who want strong GLA depth in a low-pill-count format.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking concentrated GLA
  • Users targeting skin-barrier fatty acids
  • People who prefer one softgel
Best for
  • High-dose GLA intake
  • Borage-oil supplementation
  • Focused fatty-acid support

Pros

  • 400 mg GLA per softgel
  • Concentrated borage source
  • Adds sesame lignans

Cons

  • Only 30 servings
  • Borage-oil entry is malformed
  • Extraction and oxidation protection are not disclosed

Nutrient quality

91 Highest impact

Borage-derived GLA provides a concentrated and substantial fatty-acid serving. Sesame lignans add modest antioxidant support, but extraction and oil-stability details are not disclosed.

Ingredient transparency

80 High impact

Listed active ingredients have specific amounts and no proprietary blend hides their doses. Complete intake directions and a full non-active ingredient list are not supplied.

Customer satisfaction

68 High impact

The supplied aggregate rating is favorable and rests on a moderate sample. No specific feedback is provided, so repeated complaints and real-world fit with the intended purpose cannot be assessed.

Value for money

70 High impact

The effective serving offers fair value relative to formula and dose quality. A focused ingredient list supports efficient spending.

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Goals

Anti-Inflammatory Support
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Impact
Highest effect
B Goal FitA- Strength of SupportC+ CoverageA Formula Quality
Gamma Linolenic Acid · 400 mg

GLA provides a focused fatty-acid pathway that may shift production of inflammatory mediators, while sesame lignans add antioxidant support. The 400 mg GLA amount is substantial for a borage-oil product.

Human evidence is useful in selected inflammatory settings but less consistent than evidence for EPA and DHA. The concise formula provides good depth and disclosure without unnecessary ingredients.

Study evidence
Gamma Linolenic Acid Supportive 7 studies
Skin Health
Skin Health
Impact
Highest effect
B Goal FitA- Strength of SupportC+ CoverageA Formula Quality
Gamma Linolenic Acid · 400 mg

Borage oil supplies a substantial 400 mg amount of GLA, a fatty acid that may support skin-barrier function and hydration. Sesame lignans add a small complementary antioxidant component.

The focused softgel provides strong depth for barrier support without an oversized ingredient list. Extraction method and antioxidant stabilization are not disclosed, which leaves some uncertainty about oil quality.

Study evidence
Gamma Linolenic Acid Supportive 9 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Calories
5 Calorie(s)
Total Fat
0.5 Gram(s)
Saturated Fat
0 Gram(s)
Gamma-Linolenic Acid
400 mg
Sesame seed Lignan extract
10 mg
Adults 18–50
Report overview
Gamma Linolenic Acid · 400 mg OverallScore85
B- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyB+ Value

Borage seed oil supplies the most concentrated common botanical source and the active GLA amount exceeds the preferred threshold. Exact GLA yield is clear, but the label does not state cold pressing, solvent-free extraction, or antioxidant stabilization. The substantial dose produces good cost efficiency despite a moderate serving cost.

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Loading alternative details
82 Performance

Organic Hemp Oil

Manitoba Harvest
<p>Organic hemp oil slightly raises GLA to 420 mg while adding substantial linoleic acid, ALA, and stearidonic acid. Sesame lignans are lost and the liquid serving is much larger, but fatty-acid breadth and skin and anti-inflammatory alignment are stronger.</p>
77 Performance

Borage Oil

Barlean's
<p>A focused borage-oil softgel adds clearly measured linoleic and oleic acids around its 200 mg GLA dose. GLA is lower and sesame lignans are absent, but the simpler fatty-acid profile may be preferable when a straightforward borage supplement is wanted.</p>
72 Performance

Omega 3-6-9 Complete Natural Lemon Flavored!

Country Life
<p>Fish, borage, and flax oils add EPA, DHA, ALA, and vitamin E around 152 mg GLA. The lower GLA amount makes it less targeted, but its broader essential-fatty-acid coverage supports more goals than the original single-focus formula.</p>
73 Budget

Triple Omega Complex 3-6-9

21st Century
<p>A much lower serving cost provides GLA from borage oil plus ALA, EPA, and DHA from flax and fish oils. Its 70 mg GLA is far below the original 400 mg amount and it lacks sesame lignans, so economy comes with reduced GLA focus.</p>
79 Budget

RxOmega-3

Natural Factors WS WomenSense
<p>Lower serving cost combines 50 mg GLA with 400 mg EPA, 200 mg DHA, and 260 mg ALA. GLA is much lower and sesame lignans are absent, but the broader blend better serves buyers who also want marine omega-3 support.</p>
80 Budget

Spirulina Natural Tablets

Earthrise
<p>A low serving cost pairs 30 mg GLA with spirulina, phycocyanin, carotenoids, and zeaxanthin. It is not a close substitute for concentrated borage oil, but it may fit buyers seeking a broader algae-based nutrient profile.</p>
81 Value

Hemp Oil

Manitoba Harvest
<p>Lower serving cost supplies 420 mg GLA together with 8,000 mg linoleic acid and 2,000 mg ALA. It omits sesame lignans and uses a liquid serving, but it delivers slightly more GLA with much broader plant-fatty-acid coverage.</p>
77 Value

Evening Primrose Oil

Barlean's
<p>A similar serving cost provides 234 mg GLA plus substantial linoleic and oleic acids in softgels. GLA is lower and sesame lignans are missing, but the formula offers a broader quantified fatty-acid profile.</p>
71 Value

Omega 3-6-9

Source Naturals
<p>Lower serving cost combines 180 mg GLA with EPA, DHA, ALA, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and mixed tocopherols. It cannot match the original GLA concentration, but the range of measured fatty acids improves value for broader omega support.</p>
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Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Effects of altering dietary essential fatty acids on requirements for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a double blind placebo controlled study.
    Belch JJ; Ansell D; Madhok R; O'Dowd A; Sturrock RD · Annals of the rheumatic diseases · 1988
    Randomized trial49 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forGamma Linolenic Acid
  2. Systemic immune inflammation mediates the association of serum omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids with biological aging: a national population-based study.
    Shan F; Xiong Y; Pai P; Liu M · Aging clinical and experimental research · 2025
    Cross-sectional study3,376 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forGamma Linolenic Acid
  3. Evidence of effectiveness of herbal medicinal products in the treatment of arthritis. Part 2: Rheumatoid arthritis.
    Cameron M; Gagnier JJ; Little CV; Parsons TJ; Blümle A; Chrubasik S · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2010
    Meta-analysis20 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forGamma Linolenic Acid
  4. Evening primrose oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and side-effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
    Brzeski M; Madhok R; Capell HA · British journal of rheumatology · 1991
    Randomized trial40 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forGamma Linolenic Acid
  5. Prospective clinical trial examining the impact of genetic variation in FADS1 on the metabolism of linoleic acid- and ɣ-linolenic acid-containing botanical oils.
    Sergeant S; Hallmark B; Mathias RA; Mustin TL; Ivester P; Bohannon ML; Ruczinski I; Johnstone L; Seeds MC; Chilton FH · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2020
    Randomized trial64 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forGamma Linolenic Acid
  6. Effect of Evening Primrose Oil on Korean Patients With Mild Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.
    Chung BY; Park SY; Jung MJ; Kim HO; Park CW · Annals of dermatology · 2022
    Randomized trial50 participantsSkin Health forGamma Linolenic Acid
  7. Meta-analysis of placebo-controlled studies of the efficacy of Epogam in the treatment of atopic eczema. Relationship between plasma essential fatty acid changes and clinical response.
    Morse PF; Horrobin DF; Manku MS; Stewart JC; Allen R; Littlewood S; Wright S; Burton J; Gould DJ; Holt PJ · The British journal of dermatology · 1989
    Meta-analysis9 studies pooledSkin Health forGamma Linolenic Acid
  8. Reduced levels of prostaglandin precursors in the blood of atopic patients: defective delta-6-desaturase function as a biochemical basis for atopy.
    Manku MS; Horrobin DF; Morse N; Kyte V; Jenkins K; Wright S; Burton JL · Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and medicine · 1983
    Non-randomized trial50 participantsSkin Health forGamma Linolenic Acid
  9. Effect of borage oil consumption on fatty acid metabolism, transepidermal water loss and skin parameters in elderly people.
    Brosche T; Platt D · Archives of gerontology and geriatrics · 2005
    Non-randomized trial29 participantsSkin Health forGamma Linolenic Acid
  10. Effects of oral supplementation with evening primrose oil for six weeks on plasma essential fatty acids and uremic skin symptoms in hemodialysis patients.
    Yoshimoto-Furuie K; Yoshimoto K; Tanaka T; Saima S; Kikuchi Y; Shay J; Horrobin DF; Echizen H · Nephron · 1999
    Randomized trial16 participantsSkin Health forGamma Linolenic Acid