Borage Oil powder
Also known as: Borage oil, starflower oil, GLA, gamma-linolenic acid, Borago officinalis
Overview
Borage oil is an oil extracted from the seeds of the Borago officinalis plant, widely recognized for its exceptionally high concentration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 essential fatty acid. It typically contains about 20-25% GLA, alongside other fatty acids like linoleic acid and oleic acid. Historically, borage oil has been used as an oral dietary supplement, primarily for its purported anti-inflammatory properties, especially in the context of inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic eczema, and for general skin health. While it has been a subject of numerous studies, including randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews, the evidence for its efficacy in treating eczema symptoms remains mixed, with several high-quality studies indicating no significant improvement compared to placebo. Despite this, its rich GLA content makes it a subject of ongoing research for various potential health benefits, particularly those related to inflammation modulation and skin barrier function.
Benefits
Oral borage oil supplementation has been primarily investigated for its potential benefits in atopic eczema. However, a comprehensive Cochrane systematic review, encompassing 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 1596 participants, concluded that there was no significant improvement in global eczema symptoms when compared to placebo. This finding is supported by a large RCT involving 140 patients, which also found no significant difference in eczema severity. While some preliminary evidence suggests that topical application of borage oil might improve skin barrier function and reduce irritation in healthy skin, these findings are based on small studies and require further rigorous investigation. Limited data also exists regarding its anti-inflammatory effects in other conditions, such as in critically ill COVID-19 patients, but these are preliminary and need validation. Overall, despite its traditional use, strong evidence for clinically meaningful benefits of borage oil, particularly for eczema, is lacking.
How it works
Borage oil's primary mechanism of action stems from its high content of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Once ingested, GLA is metabolized in the body into dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). DGLA serves as a precursor to a series of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, such as prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), which are known to modulate inflammatory responses. By influencing these eicosanoid synthesis pathways, borage oil theoretically interacts with the body's inflammatory systems, potentially reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improving the lipid composition of the skin barrier. While oral GLA is absorbed and incorporated into plasma lipids, the efficiency of its conversion to DGLA and its subsequent clinical impact can vary among individuals.
Side effects
Borage oil is generally well tolerated in clinical trials, with a low incidence of adverse effects. The most commonly reported side effects, occurring in more than 5% of users, are mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating or nausea. Uncommon side effects, observed in 1-5% of users, may include rare allergic reactions or localized skin irritation when applied topically. Serious adverse events are rare, with no significant occurrences reported in high-quality clinical trials. However, caution is advised regarding potential drug interactions, particularly with anticoagulants (blood thinners), due to the fatty acid's theoretical effect on platelet aggregation. Therefore, individuals with bleeding disorders or those on blood-thinning medications should avoid borage oil or use it only under medical supervision. The safety of borage oil during pregnancy and lactation has not been well established, and its use in these populations should be approached with caution.
Dosage
Due to the lack of consistently demonstrated efficacy, particularly for conditions like eczema, there is no established minimum effective dose for borage oil. However, typical dosages used in clinical trials range from 1 to 3 grams of borage oil daily, which provides approximately 200-400 mg of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). For instance, some studies used doses equivalent to 1.8 grams of GLA per day. The maximum safe dose for adults is generally considered to be up to 3 grams per day, as higher doses lack sufficient safety data. To optimize absorption and minimize potential gastrointestinal discomfort, it is often recommended to take borage oil in divided doses with meals. It is important to use capsules or oils standardized for their GLA content. Absorption of fatty acids like GLA is generally improved when consumed with dietary fats.
FAQs
Is borage oil effective for eczema?
Current high-quality research, including systematic reviews and large clinical trials, indicates that oral borage oil supplementation does not provide significant benefit over placebo for eczema symptoms.
Is it safe to take borage oil daily?
Borage oil is generally considered safe for daily use at typical doses. However, individuals on blood thinners or who are pregnant should consult a healthcare provider before use due to potential interactions or insufficient safety data.
How long does it take to see effects from borage oil?
Clinical trials lasting up to 12 weeks have shown no significant improvements in conditions like eczema. Therefore, there is no clear timeframe for observing benefits, as efficacy has not been consistently demonstrated.
Can borage oil be used topically?
Some preliminary evidence suggests that topical application of borage oil may help improve skin barrier function and reduce irritation. However, more rigorous research is needed to confirm these benefits.
Does borage oil interact with medications?
Yes, borage oil may potentially interact with anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) due to its effects on platelet aggregation. Caution is advised, and medical consultation is recommended if you are on such medications.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8105655/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, including 8 studies on borage oil with 1596 participants, found no significant improvement in eczema symptoms with borage oil compared to placebo. The study was of high quality, with most included trials having a low risk of bias, suggesting that borage oil is not an effective treatment for eczema.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC292992/ – This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial involving 140 adult and pediatric patients with atopic eczema investigated the efficacy of borage oil over 12 weeks. The study concluded that there was no significant difference in eczema severity (SASSAD score) between the borage oil and placebo groups, reinforcing the lack of clinical benefit for eczema.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.975937/full – This preliminary randomized controlled trial explored the effects of borage syrup in ICU patients with COVID-19. The findings suggested that borage syrup might improve ICU outcomes and reduce the length of hospital stay. However, this study is preliminary, specific to a critical care setting, and not directly related to skin conditions, requiring further replication and broader investigation.
- https://www.bareluxeskincare.com/blogs/elevated-simplicity/borage-oil-skin-benefits – This source discusses the potential skin benefits of borage oil, particularly for topical application. It suggests that borage oil may help improve skin barrier function and reduce irritation, although it notes that these findings are preliminary and require more robust research to confirm.
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-596/borage – This general information source provides an overview of borage oil, including its uses, potential benefits, side effects, and dosage. It serves as a comprehensive resource for common questions regarding borage oil as a dietary supplement.
