The 7 health benefits of borage oil!

Borage oil is a natural substance that provides high levels of a fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a strong anti-inflammatory found in certain vegetable oils.

Gamma-linolenic acid is derived from extracts taken from the seeds of plants such as borage (Borago officinalis) and evening primrose, however, it is not found in large amounts in the human diet. Therefore, most people turn to supplements to reap their benefits.

What is it and what is it for:

As an herbal treatment in traditional medicine practices for hundreds of years, borage oil has many uses – from treating skin breakouts to reducing pain. The most beneficial aspect of using borage oil topically on the skin or internally in capsule form is that it has strong anti-inflammatory effects.

Borage Oil is becoming increasingly popular as a natural anti-inflammatory supplement because it has one of the highest amounts of GLA of all seed oils. GLA is a type of omega-6 fatty acid that the body cannot produce on its own, so we must consume it from external sources.

While to some degree we can all convert other forms of omega-6 to GLA, it is preferable and more effective to consume GLA directly. While other plants, including blackcurrant and evening primrose, also offer GLA and have similar benefits, Borage Oil ‘s 23% GLA content makes it the most effective option (in comparison, evening primrose oil has around 9%).

This means that using borage oil regularly provides a higher dose of linolenic acid and also requires fewer capsules per day, with less investment and a lower risk of side effects.

How borage oil works:

Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, borage oil containing GLA may be useful for treating a wide variety of ailments, including:

• PMS symptoms (including breast pain or tenderness, anxiety, and skin rashes)
• Bone loss and osteoporosis (especially when combined with bone-building supplements like omega-3 fish oils)
• ADHD symptoms;
• Skin conditions, including eczema or dermatitis;
• Menopause symptoms , including hot flashes and night sweats;
• Hormonal imbalances, including adrenal insufficiency;
• Fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome;
• Pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis ;
• Dealing with stress;
• Managing diabetes ;
• Promotes the production of breast milk;
• Respiratory distress (ARDS), bronchitis , colds , coughs and fevers;
• Alcoholism ;
• Inflammation causing pain and swelling;
• Prevention of heart disease and stroke.

Essential fatty acids, including omega-6s from plants (such as nuts or seeds) and omega-3s from fish oil are fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by human metabolism.

Supplementation with essential fatty acids can be effective in treating inflammatory disorders as they help correct the defective conversion of fatty acids into metabolites such as prostaglandin E1, which has the ability to increase circulation and anti-inflammatory.

When the body fails to complete an important metabolic step that keeps anti-inflammatory enzymes at proper levels, it’s easier for inflammation, which is the cause of most diseases, to dangerously build up over time.

Benefits:

1. Provides anti-inflammatory properties:

As a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), the GLA found in borage oil is known to have a positive effect on inflammation, body health, and anti-aging mechanisms.

Omega-3 and omega-6 play an important role in fighting disease because they help control the release of molecules responsible for the body’s inflammatory responses (some of which are prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and cytokines called interleukins).

GLA is present in very small amounts in some edible plants like green leafy vegetables and certain nuts, but after humans are breastfed (the most significant source of GLA is breast milk), many consume very low doses of GLA, beneficial for both childhood and adulthood.

As borage oil is one of the best sources to get more GLA, it helps fill this deficiency. In addition to controlling immune responses, GLA has positive effects on cell death (apoptosis) of toxic cells.

Once it enters the body, GLA is converted into a substance called dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA). This acts as a precursor to the prostaglandins and leukotriene compounds that the immune system produces.

DGLA is believed to decrease inflammation because it inhibits leukotriene synthesis, which is partially responsible for the increase in autoimmune reactions and thrombotic effects. For this reason, borage oil is now used to reduce symptoms of various inflammatory and age-related disorders, including arthritis, atopic eczema, and respiratory disorders.

People who take anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids along with borage oil treatments seem to have even better results.

2. It has cancer-fighting antioxidant properties:

Borage seed oil and GLA have anti-mutagenic properties and antioxidant capacity that fight the growth of cancer cells.

In laboratory studies, both GLA and Borage Oil had cytotoxic activities, which significantly shortened the lifespan of toxic cells while extending the lifespan of the healthy host.

Borage oil supplementation is recommended for DNA protection and cancer treatment naturally due to its ability to decrease oxidative genetic damage that causes inflammation and disease development.

3. It can reduce the symptoms of arthritis:

Borage Oil’s GLA appears to work as a natural remedy for rheumatoid arthritis pain, especially when used in combination with other conventional pain relievers or anti-inflammatories.

There is evidence that some people notice a decrease in joint pain, swelling and severity of tenderness after six weeks of regular borage oil treatment.

4. Combats eczema and skin disorders:

One of the best-researched uses of borage oil is to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema. GLA has been shown to correct deficiencies in skin lipids (oils) that are caused by low levels of delta-6-desaturase activity.

When the skin cannot produce enough protective oils, the result is immune system dysregulation, increased inflammation and specific immune responses that result in skin flare-ups, including those typical of eczema.

As human skin cannot synthesize GLA via linoleic acid or arachidonic acid, supplementing with GLA-rich borage helps to act as a natural remedy for eczema in people who are already very low in essential fatty acids for skin health. .

While study results were mixed and not all studies have shown that  borage oil can improve eczema in most patients, some people seem to respond more positively to treatment than others and experience significant improvements when using borage oil instead . of steroid creams.

Some studies have found that people who take up to 720 milligrams of GLA daily for two months experience significant improvements in the health of the skin barrier.

5. Cures respiratory infections:

Borage oil has been found to help improve lung function, including in people with inflamed respiratory infections and disorders such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Borage seed oil supplements taken in capsules can help speed up the healing time associated with cough, common cold, or flu, reduce time spent in the hospital or taking medication, and stop inflammation that can worsen respiratory symptoms.

6. Helps growth and development:

There is evidence that infants and preterm infants supplemented with Borage Oil  have better rates of growth and development. Supplementing with borage oil fatty acids and beneficial omega 3 supplements  helps support central nervous system development and reduces the risks associated with preterm birth.

Studies carried out showed that the GLA present in Borage Oil when fed to rats for 90 days helped with growth.

7. It can decrease fat accumulation and weight gain:

If you’re struggling to lose weight, here’s some good news: there’s evidence that GLA in the form of borage oil causes less buildup of body fat compared to more refined vegetable oils.

Specifically, GLA results in more brown fat accumulation but less white fat. This is beneficial because scientists now believe that thin people tend to have more brown fat than overweight or obese people, and that brown fat may act more like muscle than white fat.

A 2000 study done in Japan found that over the course of two weeks, when rats were fed a low-fat diet containing 20% ​​safflower oil fat and 20% borage oil fat containing 25% or 47% GLA

The high safflower oil diet compared to the other two diets caused significant increases in both epididymal and perirenal white adipose tissue (fat cells). Energy intake and animal growth were the same across the three groups, however, GLA appeared to have protective effects on white fat accumulation.

The study suggests that GLA present in the diet reduces the accumulation of body fat through an increase in the expression of genes that control the growth of brown adipose tissue compared to the growth of white adipose tissue.

Dosage and uses:

The proper dose of Borage Oil depends on your medical history and what you are using. The oil is sometimes added to fortified infant formulas to provide essential fatty acids for growth and is also available at pharmacies, online stores, and health food stores.

In most cases, for generally healthy adults, the typical dosage is usually 500 milligrams to three grams once a day. For patients who want to relieve inflammation and pain caused by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, a higher dose of up to three grams is usually more effective.

For those new to borage oil and using GLA supplements, a lower dose of around 500 milligrams is a good place to start. Borage oil is often used alongside evening primrose oil supplements to further enhance the anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effects, so you may see it marketed alongside the regular supplement.

Results can take several weeks and even several months to fully implement, with some people needing up to six months for the pain-reducing benefits of borage oil to become very noticeable.

When shopping for Borage Oil or GLA supplements, always look for a high quality oil brand that is ideally certified organic. Some brands guarantee maximum potency and are third-party tested and verified.

It’s also a good idea to buy capsules packaged in light-resistant containers and store borage oil somewhere dark and cool, as the oil can go rancid when heated and exposed to UV light.

Borage oil side effects:

While generally considered safe for both internal and topical use, Borage Oil does have some interactions and possible side effects to watch out for. Some people experience digestive problems when taking borage oil , especially in larger doses, including loose stools, diarrhea , belching, and bloating.

There is also some debate as to whether the constituents found in borage can be harmful to the liver. In the past, a small percentage of people taking Borage Oil had toxicity, and all manufacturers are now required to sell certified “Hepatotoxic PA-free” Borage Oil to avoid even small traces of carcinogens.

Pregnant women should not use Borage Oil due to its ability to induce labor. Borage oil also has the ability to act as a blood thinner, so it is not suitable for anyone taking medications like aspirin or warfarin.

Also, if you’ve had seizures in the past, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting to use borage, as it can interact with seizure medications.