Description

Borage seed oil is a nutritional supplement which is rich in essential fatty acids that can regulate the body’s immune system and fight joint inflammation. The available evidence suggests that borage seed oil may improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Borage seed oil is made from the seeds of the borage plants.

Uses

Borage oil is often used along with evening primrose or fish oil supplements to help manage inflammation and for their pain-reducing effects. You might see these supplements sold together, such as in joint-supporting or anti-aging supplements.

Results can take several weeks up to several months to fully kick in, with some people needing up to six months for borage oil’s full pain-reducing benefits to become very noticeable.

In addition to being taken by mouth, BO is used on the skin to improve the skin’s barrier.

This oil is also sometimes added to fortified infant formulas in order supply essential fats that assist in growth.

Benefits

What is borage oil good for? Here’s more about borage oil’s benefits:

1. Supplies Anti-Inflammatory Properties

On top of supporting a healthy immune response, BO can have positive effects on cell death (apoptosis) of toxic cells. Once it enters the body, GLA is converted to a substance called dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA). This acts as a precursor to prostaglandins and leukotriene compounds that the immune system produces.

DGLA is believed to lower inflammation because it inhibits leukotriene synthesis, which is partly responsible for raising autoimmune reactions and thrombotic effects.

People taking omega-3 fatty acids along with BO treatments seem to have even better results.

2. Has Antioxidant Properties that Help Fight Cancer

BO is known to have anti-mutagenic properties and antioxidant capabilities that help fight the growth of cancerous cells.

3. Can Lower Arthritis Symptoms

BO seems to work like a natural remedy for rheumatoid arthritis pain, especially when used in combination with other conventional painkilling medications. There’s evidence that some people notice a decrease in joint pain, swelling and severity of tenderness following as little as six weeks of regular BO treatment.

4. Fights Eczema and Skin Disorders

Why is borage oil good for skin? One of the most well-researched uses for BO is treating skin disorders like eczema and atopic dermatitis.

BO has been shown to help correct deficiencies in skin lipids (oils) that are caused by low levels of delta-6-desaturase activity. It can also restore a normal acidic skin pH and increased epidermal levels of enzymes that protect the skin.

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

Because human skin can’t synthesize GLA from the precursors linoleic acid or arachidonic acid on its own, supplementing with BO helps act like a natural eczema remedy for people who are already too low in essential fatty acids critical to skin health. While people with atopic dermatitis have most commonly used evening primrose for its beneficial fats, borage contains two to three times more GLA than evening primrose and therefore may be a better option.

While study results have been mixed, and not every study has shown that BO can improve eczema or atopic dermatitis in the majority of patients, certain people seem to respond more positively to treatment than others. Some studies have found that people taking up to 720 milligrams daily of GLA for two months experienced significant improvements in health of the cutaneous skin barrier.

5. Helps Treat Respiratory Infections

BO has been found to help improve the function of the lungs, including in people with inflamed respiratory infections and disorders such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

BO supplements taken in capsule form can help speed up healing time associated with coughs, the common cold or flu; reduce the length of time spent in the hospital or taking medications; and stop respiratory symptoms from worsening.

According to Memorial Sloan Kettering, borage contains mucilage, a sticky mixture of plant sugars that can act as an expectorant to produce phlegm in patients with respiratory issues and coughs.

6. Aids Growth and Development

There’s evidence that infants and premature babies receiving BO have better rates of growth and development.

Supplementing with omega-6s from BO (and beneficial omega-3 supplements) helps support development of the central nervous system and reduces risks associated with premature births.

7. Might Help Lower Fat Accumulation and Weight Gain

If you struggle to lose weight, here’s some good news: There’s evidence that BO may contribute to less body fat accumulation compared to more refined fats.

Specifically, GLA results in more brown fat accumulation but less white fat. This seems to be tied to an increase in gene expressions that control brown adipose tissue growth compared to white adipose tissue growth.

This is beneficial because scientists now believe that lean people tend to have more brown fat than overweight or obese people, and brown fat might act more like muscle than like white fat does. Other animal studies suggest that BO can also help improve insulin sensitivity and fight insulin resistance, which is tied to type 2 diabetes.