GLA, in turn, is a desaturation product (Delta 6 desaturase) of linoleic acid (18:2, ω−6).

DGLA is made in the body by the elongation of GLA, by an efficient enzyme which does not appear to suffer any form of (dietary) inhibition.

DGLA is an extremely uncommon fatty acid, found only in trace amounts in animal products.

This is in marked contrast with the analogous metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA), which are the series-2 thromboxanes and prostanoids and the series-4 leukotrienes.

Taken orally in a small study, DGLA produced antithrombotic effects.