Borage oil for inflammation, arthritis and skin problems

Veröffentlicht am: October 09, 2024

General practitioner

What is borage oil?

Borage oil is a natural compound with a high content of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). This fatty acid is only found in certain vegetable oils and has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.

Gamma-linolenic acid is obtained from the seeds of various plants, such as borage (Borago officinalis) or evening primrose. Most people only consume very small amounts of GLA through their diet. As a result, many turn to dietary supplements to secure the benefits of gamma-linolenic acid.

What is borage oil used for?

Borage oil has proven its worth in traditional medicine for centuries and is used for numerous ailments, such as skin swelling, chronic inflammation or pain. It is easy and beneficial to use. You can use borage oil either externally as an oil or internally in capsule form to take advantage of its strong anti-inflammatory effect.

Borage oil is becoming increasingly popular as a natural anti-inflammatory supplement. This is not least due to the fact that it has one of the highest GLA contents of all seed oils.

GLA is an essential omega-6 fatty acid that the body cannot produce itself. To a certain extent, our body is able to convert other omega-6 fatty acids (such as linoleic acid from nuts or seeds) into GLA. However, it is more effective to consume GLA directly and supply it to our body.

In addition to borage oil, other plants such as blackcurrant and evening primrose also contain GLA and offer similar benefits for our health. However, borage oil has a GLA content of around 23 percent and is therefore probably the most effective (for comparison: evening primrose oil only contains around nine percent GLA).

This means that by taking borage oil regularly, you provide your entire body with a higher dose of linolenic acid. You also need to take fewer capsules each day. This not only saves you money, but also reduces the risk of possible side effects.

How does borage oil work?

Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, borage oil containing GLA can be used to treat a range of different short- and long-term conditions and diseases, including:

PMS symptoms (including breast pain or tender breasts, anxiety and skin reactions)
Bone loss and osteoporosis (especially in combination with bone-strengthening supplements such as omega-3 fish)
ADHD symptoms
Skin conditions, including eczema or dermatitis
Menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes and night sweats
Endocrine disorders, including adrenal insufficiency
Persistent adrenal insufficiency or chronic fatigue syndrome (fatigue)
Pain with rheumatoid arthritis
Stress management
Diabetes
Promotion of breast milk production
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), bronchitis, colds, coughs and fever
Alcoholism
Inflammation that causes pain and swelling
for the prevention of heart disease and strokes

Essential fatty acids, including plant-based omega-6 (from nuts or seeds) and omega-3 fish oil, are long-chain fatty acids. The human body cannot produce these itself, which is why taking appropriate supplements has a positive effect on the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The reason for this is that the essential fatty acids help to correct the incorrect conversion of fatty acids into metabolites such as prostaglandin E1.

Prostaglandin E1 has anti-inflammatory properties and stimulates blood circulation. If the body is unable to carry out important metabolic processes correctly, which ensure a stable level of anti-inflammatory enzymes, inflammation has an easy time of it. These are the cause of most diseases and become increasingly serious over time.

7 benefits of borage oil

1. has an anti-inflammatory effect

As a polyunsaturated fatty acid, GLA in borage oil can have a positive influence on inflammation, general health and the ageing process. The exact cause of this is unsaturated omega-3 and 6 fatty acids which play an important role in fighting disease. They help to control the release of molecules that are responsible for inflammatory reactions in the body. (These include prostaglandins, leukotrienes and cytokines, also known as interleukins).

GLA is also found in very small amounts in some plant foods, such as green leafy vegetables and certain nuts. However, the most important food source for humans is breast milk. After weaning, most people therefore consume very small amounts of this beneficial compound throughout childhood and into adulthood. Borage oil is one of the best sources for increasing GLA intake and helps to make up for this lifelong deficiency.

Thanks to its valuable ingredients, borage oil is used today to alleviate the symptoms of various inflammatory and age-related diseases. These include, for example, arthritis, atopic eczema and respiratory diseases.

➤If anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids are taken in addition to borage oil, even better results can be achieved.

2. can relieve arthritis symptoms

The GLA contained in borage oil is obviously a natural remedy for pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Especially when conventional painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs are also taken. Scientific evidence shows that some patients experience a reduction in joint pain, swelling and sensitivity of the affected joints after just six weeks of regular use.

3. combats eczema and skin diseases

The use of borage oil to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema has been well researched scientifically. If dry skin cannot produce enough protective oils, this leads to a dysregulation of the immune system. This can cause increased inflammation and the immune system responds to the deficiency in the form of skin reactions (eczema).

Our skin cannot produce GLA on its own from the two precursors linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. GLA-rich supplements, such as borage oil, therefore act as a natural remedy for eczema, especially for people who already have low levels of this essential fatty acid.

The results of various studies are not entirely clear. Scientists have not always been able to show that patients with eczema benefit from borage oil. Some people respond better to the treatment than others and report significant improvements after using borage oil (as opposed to creams containing steroids). In some studies, there was a significant improvement in the skin barrier after subjects used up to 720 mg of GLA daily over a two-month period.

4. has an antioxidant effect in the fight against cancer

Borage oil and GLA counteract mutagens and have an antioxidant effect. This is how they combat the growth and spread of cancer cells. In laboratory studies, both GLA and borage oil showed cell-damaging activities that significantly reduced the lifespan of harmful cells. At the same time, the lifespan of healthy host cells was extended.

Borage oil is particularly recommended for the protection of DNA and for the natural treatment of cancer. It can reduce the underlying oxidative damage to genetic material, which promotes inflammation and the progression of the disease.

5. helps with respiratory infections

Borage oil can strengthen lung function.

This also applies to people suffering from inflammatory respiratory infections and diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Pure oil can be extracted from the seeds of the borage plant and processed into capsules. Taking these capsules can speed up the healing process after illnesses such as coughs, colds or flu. In addition, the time spent in hospital can be shortened, as can the intake of medication. Borage oil stops the inflammation that worsens respiratory symptoms.

6. supports growth and development

Scientific evidence shows that infants and premature babies develop and grow better after being given borage oil. The fatty acids from borage oil and omega-3 supplements support the development of the central nervous system and reduce the risks associated with premature birth.

Study results published in "Food and Chemical Toxicology" show that rats grew better after receiving borage oil containing GLA for 90 days.

7. can reduce fat accumulation and weight gain

Do you have difficulty losing weight?

Then we have good news for you: scientific evidence shows that GLA from borage oil reduces the accumulation of body fat - compared to refined vegetable oils. More specifically, GLA leads to more brown fat and less white fat.

This is good news because scientists believe that lean people have more brown fat than overweight or obese people. Brown fat, unlike white fat, behaves more like muscle mass.

In 2000, scientists at the Research Laboratory for Biochemistry of Nutrition in Ibaraki, Japan, carried out a study on rats. The test animals were fed a low-fat diet with a 20 percent fat content for two weeks. This fat content was supplied either with the help of diesel oil, borage oil containing 25 percent GLA or borage oil with an effective 47 percent GLA. The first group (diestel oil) showed a significant increase in both epididymal and perirenal white fat (fat cells).

The energy intake and growth of the animals was the same in all three groups. Nevertheless, in the two groups that received borage oil, GLA appeared to protect against the accumulation of white fat. The study therefore suggests that GLA reduces fat accumulation in the body. This occurs through an increase in the expression of genes that control the growth of brown adipose tissue.

Dosage and intake of borage oil

The exact dosage depends on your medical history and the reason for taking it.

In most cases, the dose for healthy adults is between 500 mg and three grams once a day. Higher doses of up to three grams are recommended for patients who wish to use borage oil to relieve acute inflammation and pain due to rheumatoid arthritis. If you have never taken borage oil before and want to boost your GLA intake, a lower dose of 500 mg is recommended.

Borage oil is often taken in combination with evening primrose oil to enhance the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect. An effect sometimes only becomes apparent after weeks or months. Some patients report that an analgesic effect only became noticeable after six months.

Interactions and side effects of borage oil

In general, borage oil is considered safe for both internal and external use.

However, there are a few side effects that you should be aware of. Some people report indigestion, especially after taking large doses of borage oil. These symptoms include soft stools, diarrhea, belching and flatulence.

There is still disagreement as to whether some ingredients damage the liver or not. In the past, there have been isolated reports of toxic effects after taking borage oil. For this reason, manufacturers are only allowed to sell borage oil that cannot have a hepatotoxic effect. In this way, you are protected from even small traces of such carcinogens.

Pregnant women should not take borage oil as it can cause premature labor. Borage oil also has a blood-thinning effect. It should therefore not be taken together with aspirin or warfarin.

If you suffer from seizures, please talk to your doctor before taking borage oil. There are interactions with anti-seizure medication.

Sources (in English):

Brosche T., Platt D.(2000). Effect of borage oil consumption on fatty acid metabolism, transepidermal water loss and skin parameters in elderly people. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 30(2):139-150. doi:10.1016/s0167-4943(00)00046-7

Henz BM, Jablonska S, van de Kerkhof PC, et al. (1999) Double-blind, multicentre analysis of the efficacy of borage oil in patients with atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol. 140(4):685-688. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.1999.02771.x

Kapoor R., Huang Y.S.(2006). Gamma linolenic acid: an anti-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acid. Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 7(6):531-534. doi:10.2174/138920106779116874

Kast R.E. (2001). Boarge oil reduction of rheumatoid arthritis activity may be mediated by increased cAMP that suppresses tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Int Immunopharmacol.1:2197-9. view abstract.

Takahashi Y., Ide T., Fujita H.(2000). 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 Biochem Mol Biol. 127(2):213-222. doi:10.1016/s0305-0491(00)00254-6

Takwale A., Tan E., Agarwal S., et al. (2003). Efficacy and tolerability of borage oil in adults and children with atopic eczema: randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group trial. BMJ. 2003;327(7428):1385. doi:10.1136/bmj.327.74.138528

Tasset-Cuevas I., Fernández-Bedmar Z., Lozano-Baena M.D., Campos-Sánchez J., de Haro-Bailón A., et al. (2013) Protective Effect of Borage Seed Oil and Gamma Linolenic Acid on DNA: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies. PLOS ONE 8(2): e56986. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056986

Tso P., Caldwell J., Lee D., Boivin P. G., DeMichele J. S. (2012). Comparison of growth, serum biochemistries and n-6fatty acid metabolism in rats fed diets supplemented with high-gamma-linolenic acid safflower oil or borage oil for 90 days.Food Chem Toxicol. 2012 Jun; 50(6): 1911-1919.

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