December 16, 2003 – Despite its high content of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), borage oil would not be effective when it comes to relieving the symptoms of eczema.
This is the conclusion1 British researchers come to, after asking 151 patients with eczema to take either borage oil supplements or a placebo for 12 weeks. Supplements taken by adult patients contained 920 mg of GLA per day (and for children, half that dose), the highest dose ever studied.
The body naturally produces GLA by metabolizing linoleic acid, a substance essential for good skin health found in foods such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. Eczema could occur if the body performs poorly in this transformation of linoleic acid, some researchers believe.
Borage oil is particularly interesting from this perspective, since it is a direct source of GLA that does not require any transformation by the body. Different studies 2,3,4 have investigated over the years the possibility that oils containing GLA may reduce the inflammation that accompanies eczema, without a consensus being reached.
However, the researchers behind this most recent study believe it closes the discussion once and for all. Not only because of the massive dose of GLA used, but also because the patients in the control group reported slightly more relief from their itching than those taking the supplements.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to Reuters and BBCNews; December 12, 2003.
1. Takwale A, Tan E, Agarwal S, Barclay G, Ahmed I, Hotchkiss K, Thompson JR, Chapman T, Berth-Jones J. Efficacy and tolerability of borage oil in adults and children with atopic eczema: randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group trial.BMJ 2003 Dec 13; 327 (7428): 1385.
2. Henz BM, Jablonska S, van de Kerkhof PC, Stingl G, Blaszczyk M, Vandervalk PG, Veenhuizen R, Muggli R, Raederstorff D. Double-blind, multicentre analysis of the efficacy of borage oil in patients with atopic eczema.Br J Dermatol 1999 Apr; 140 (4): 685-8.
3. Borrek S, Hildebrandt A, Forster J. [Gamma-linolenic-acid-rich borage seed oil capsules in children with atopic dermatitis. A placebo-controlled double-blind study]. [Article en allemand, résumé en anglais]. Klin Padiatr 1997 May-Jun; 209 (3): 100-4.
4. Bahmer FA, Schafer J. [Treatment of atopic dermatitis with borage seed oil (Glandol)–a time series analytic study]. [Article en allemand, résumé en anglais]. Kinderarztl Prax 1992 Oct; 60 (7): 199-202.
