Ditch the Itch!

Borage Oil, containing GLA, relieves the symptoms of eczema, including itching, redness, and oozing

By Artur Klimaszewski, MD
Source: Bioriginal Publishing
Date Published: October 1999

Atopic Eczema (also known as Atopic Dermatitis) is a recurring skin condition characterized by rash, dryness, and itching. The itching is often so severe that it leads to scratching, infection, and sleep disturbance. There is no known single cause for eczema, however allergies are often implicated - many patients with atopic eczema have increased blood levels of Class E Immunoglobulins, which are typically associated with allergic reactions.

The disease can occur at any age, but it is most common in infants, children, and young adults. It affects about ten percent of infants and three percent of the US population overall.¹

The usual treatments for eczema are steroid creams and antihistamines. There is no cure for the condition, however it sometimes clears spontaneously.

In the last 20 years, researchers have discovered that eczema may be linked to a deficiency of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). GLA is a naturally occurring fatty acid. A healthy body may obtain GLA by converting dietary Linoleic Acid (LA) found in many processed foods, margarine, and vegetable oils. The body metabolizes GLA into hormone-like compounds that regulate inflammation and allergic response.

In eczema, the initial conversion of dietary Linoleic Acid to GLA is often impaired. The result is a lower level of GLA and its metabolites in the tissue, contributing to skin inflammation and itching. A patient with eczema can supplement the diet with GLA to restore the levels of its beneficial metabolites.

Human trials on eczema have demonstrated success with GLA supplementation. GLA is found naturally in Borage (also known as Starflower) Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, and Black Currant Oil. There has been some variability in the results of GLA supplementation for eczema, however, a thorough review of the whole body of data on the subject reveals a strongly positive effect.²

Borage Oil decreases itching by 90%
Researchers at the University of Italy conducted a 12-week study in 1997 that documented the dramatic effects that Borage Oil can have on patients with atopic eczema. Of 60 patients, 30 were treated with 548 mg of GLA per day while the others received a placebo.

The group receiving Borage Oil experienced significant reductions in all their symptoms by the end of the 12 weeks of therapy: itching decreased about 90%; vesicle formation decreased more than 40%; and erythema (patchy redness of the skin) and oozing showed similar improvements.³ The accompanying graph (see page 1) illustrates the results of this study. Note that, while improvements in symptoms began during the first four weeks of treatment, the full extent of the benefits were achieved after 12 weeks. Furthermore, researchers have observed that the effects of GLA may continue several weeks or months after stopping supplementation.²

Laboratory findings confirm the benefits of GLA supplementation
More recently, a group of researchers at six European centres conducted an analysis of Borage Oil in patients with atopic eczema.⁴ The placebo-controlled study included 160 patients. The treatment group received 690 mg of GLA daily for 24 weeks. In patients who complied with the Borage Oil treatment, researchers found a significant improvement in symptoms as compared to the placebo.

Additionally, laboratory data confirmed improvements in symptoms evaluated visually and subjectively by the physician and patients. Researchers found that, in the Borage Oil treatment group, the blood levels of Class E Immunoglobin, usually associated with Atopic Eczema, dropped dramatically.

Getting the GLA you need
The best source of GLA is Borage (or Starflower) Oil, which contains up to 23% GLA. Evening Primrose Oil (8-10% GLA) and Black Currant Oil (15-17% GLA) are other sources of GLA. Because of the higher concentration of GLA in Borage, a patient may consume fewer capsules overall to achieve the required dosage. This makes Borage Oil the most economical source of GLA.

One has to consume only 2 to 3 grams of Borage Oil per day to obtain an effective dosage. Studies have shown that Borage Oil is safe and non-toxic, even in large amounts.

Artur Klimaszewski is an MD with Bioriginal Food & Science Corp., Saskatoon, Canada. He is devoted to research in the field of Essential Fatty Acids.

References:

1. American Academy of Dermatology (1995).
2. Morse, P.F., et al. Meta-analysis of placebo-controlled studies of the efficacy of Epogam in the treatment of atopic eczema. Relationship between plasma essential fatty acid changes and clinical response, British Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 121, pp. 75-90 (1989).
3. Andreassi, M., et al. Efficacy of Gamma Linolenic Acid in the Treatment of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis, The Journal of International Medical Research, Vol. 25, pp. 266-74 (1997).
4. Henz, B.M., Double-blind, multicentre analysis of the efficacy of borage oil in patients with atopic eczema, British Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 140, pp. 685-88 (1999).

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