Borage Seed Oil

Borage seed oil, also known as starflower oil, is the oil extracted from the seeds of the borage (Borago officinalis) plant.  Most of the beneficial actions of borage seed oil are attributable to its high content (24%) of the omega-6 fatty acid named gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).  Borage seed oil is the highest supplemental source of this fatty acid - evening primrose contains 10% and blackcurrant seed oil contains 18%.

Borage seed oil is used for the treatment of these conditons:

Acne:

There is limited evidence that the GLA content of borage seed oil, may be useful for the treatment of acne.

Alcoholism:

Many alcoholics are found to be deficient in GLA, a precursor for the body’s production of a short-lived hormone named prostaglandin E1 (PGE1).  Increasing PGE1 levels has been found to reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in alcoholics and most alcoholics are found to be deficient in PGE1.  The GLA content of borage seed oil also helps to protect the liver from the damage inflicted by alcohol.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD):

It has been speculated that ADD sufferers may have an impairment in their ability to convert the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).  Therefore direct supplementation with GLA-containing dietary oils such as borage seed oil may be useful for ADD sufferers.  Borage seed oil supplementation is more likely to be beneficial for ADD sufferers if it is used in conjunction with supplements of the omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Blood Circulation:

Borage seed oil helps to improve blood circulation by decreasing the body’s production of a compound (leukotriene C4) that interferes with blood circulation.  Borage seed oil contains high levels of the omega-6 fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid, that stimulates the production of a blood circulation enhancing compound named prostaglandin E1.

Eczema:

Many eczema patients have a metabolic defect in the enzyme delta-6-desaturase that converts the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid, to GLA.  GLA is essential for the production of further hormones (prostaglandins and leukotrienes) that prevent/counteract eczema.  Supplemental GLA from borage seed oil directly supplies the body with GLA, bypassing the need for the body to produce it enzymatically.

In one human study, GLA supplementation caused a significant improvement in the symptoms (itching, rash and weeping) of eczema.

Another study found that 70% of atopic dermatitis patients responded well to borage seed oil supplementation.

Hypertension:

A clinical study has confirmed the ability of borage seed oil’s GLA content to lower blood pressure in hypertension sufferers.

Joint Health:

The gamma-linolenic acid content of borage seed oil has been demonstrated in clinical trials to reduce the inflammation and joint tissue injury that occurs in rheumatoid arthritis.  This effect occurs from gamma-linolenic acid functioning as a precursor for the production of anti-inflammatory compounds produced within the body.

It should be noted however that borage seed oil does not alter the continued progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

Liver Support:

A study conducted on rats has demonstrated the ability of GLA from borage seed oil to protect the liver from alcohol induced damage (alcohol-induced fatty liver).

Migraine:

GLA from borage seed oil reduces the severity, frequency and duration of migraine attacks.  One human study found that GLA reduced the frequency, severity and total duration of migraine attacks by 86%.  During the sixth month of this study, 22% of 168 patients no longer experienced migraine attacks and 90% of subjects experienced less nausea and vomiting.

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS):

Borage seed oil’s GLA content is useful for the treatment of PMS.  Many women who suffer from PMS have been found to have an impairment in their ability to convert the essential omega-6 fatty acid named linoleic acid to GLA.  Borage seed oil helps to remedy this impairment by directly supplying pre-formed gamma-linolenic acid.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

The gamma-linolenic acid content of blackcurrant seed oil has been demonstrated in clinical trials to reduce the inflammation and joint tissue injury that occurs in rheumatoid arthritis.  This effect occurs from gamma-linolenic acid functioning as a precursor for the production of anti-inflammatory compounds produced within the body.

It should be noted however that blackcurrant primrose oil does not alter the continued progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

Weight Loss:

The gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content of borage seed oil facilitates weight loss in obesity sufferers.  This aspect of borage seed oil occurs via the following process: GLA converts a hormone-like compound named prostaglandin E1 which stimulates the activity of an enzyme named adenyl cyclase resulting in increased levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP).  Increased cAMP subsequently leads to increased lipolysis (the process of converting stored body fat into fatty acids that are used for the production of energy).

Dosage:

500 – 2,500 mg per day (which would supply 120 - 600 mg of GLA).

Similar Therapies:

Blackcurrant seed oil and evening primrose oil are alternative sources of the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content of borage seed oil.

References

Blood Circulation

· Callejari, P. E., et al.  Botanical lipids:  potential role in the modulation of immunological responses and inflammatory reactions.  Nutrition and Rheumatic Diseases/Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America.  17(2):415-425, 1991.

Eczema

· Bahmer, F. A., et al.  [Treatment of atopic dermatitis with borage seed oil (Glandol):  a time series analytic study.]  Kinderarztl Prax.  60(7):199-202, 1992.

Hypertension

Engler, M. M., et al.  The antihypertensive effect of dietary borage oil.  FASEB Journal.  6:1681, 1992.

Joint Health

Kast, R. E.  Borage oil reduction of rheumatoid arthritis activity may be mediated by increased cAMP that suppresses tumor necrosis factor-alpha.  Int Immunopharmacol.  1(12):2197-2199, 2001.

Migraine

Wagner, W., et al.  Prophylactic treatment of migraine with gamma-linolenic and alpha-linolenic acids.  Cephalagia.  17(2):127-130, 1997.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Kast, R. E.  Borage oil reduction of rheumatoid arthritis activity may be mediated by increased cAMP that suppresses tumor necrosis factor-alpha.  Int Immunopharmacol.  1(12):2197-2199, 2001.

Weight Loss/Obesity

Takahashi, Y., et al.  Dietary gamma-linolenic acid in the form of borage oil causes less body fat accumulation accompanying an increase in uncoupling protein 1 mRNA level in brown adipose tissue.  Comp Biochem Physiol B.  127(2):213-222, 2000.

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