It Could Support Healthier Skin
Fatty acids have a crucial role in the structure and function of your skins outermost barrier.6 If your skin cant produce enough of these protective oils, inflammation can occur. This shows on the surface as dry skin and other flare-ups.
So, for people who are low in essential fatty acids, a dose of GLA-rich starflower oil may help restore a healthy skin barrier. And theres some evidence to suggest that topical application of the oil may have skin-soothing effects for some people with inflammatory skin conditions.
- A 2018 review of the role of plant oils in skin barrier repair, suggested the application of borage oil may be helpful to children suffering with dermatitis7
- According to another study, taking a supplement containing GLA could contribute to reducing acne lesions8
- And in a trial of 45 healthy female participants, a 2g daily supplement of borage oilincreased skin hydration and reduced skin scaling and roughness9
How Do You Test Progesterone Levels
Contact Mel for further information on a specific protocol, functional testing and individual compounded supplements. mel@functionalnutritionist.net.au
References:
Turner S., et al. A double-blind clinical trial on a herbal remedy for premenstrual syndrome: A case study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 1
How Much Starflower Oil Should I Take
While it can be tempting to take multiple capsules per day to try and experience the health benefits of starflower oil, it is absolutely vital to adhere to the recommended dosage, especially as taking more can worsen any side effects of starflower oil you might experience.
With many products available on the market, their recommended dosage is one tablet each day. This can be taken either in the morning or the evening, although we would suggest taking it as part of your morning routine, as you can combine it with the health benefits of black coffee and a nutritious breakfast.
This capsule will usually be between 1000mg and 1500mg, but the advice will always remain consistent. Each capsule will contain enough GLA and LA to fully reap all the starflower oil benefits weve explored, as well as providing you with a substantial boost to your energy levels.
However, we would strongly recommend completely stopping taking this supplement if you begin to experience significant discomfort. While the side effects of starflower oil are minimal, its still important to be safe, and stop immediately should you experience any adverse effects.
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What Does Borage Oil Do How Is It Used
- Borage is a plant rich in vitamins, proteins and minerals. In this way, it is one of the herbal substances used for therapeutic purposes in the medical sector from past to present.
- The use of borage oil differs according to the purpose. It can be used internally, that is, orally.
- It is generally recommended to consume up to 1 teaspoon per day. Its use in this way fights inflammation in the body. It also minimizes skin shedding caused by fatty acids.
- If you are going to use borage oil internally, we recommend that you consult your doctor for the dosage and usage method. If you have trouble drinking borage oil alone, you can add it to your water or food.
- Another use of borage oil is external use. It can be applied to the skin by massage method. It is recommended to clean the skin before applying externally. Its external use heals skin wounds and is good for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
- Borage oil can also be used as a mask, mixed with other vegetable oils that can be applied to the skin or added to cosmetic products.
What You Will Learn In This Article
- What is GLA and where is it found?
- Is evening primrose really the best source of GLA?
- Borage oil is rich in hormone-supporting GLA
- Medical benefits of using GLA internally
- Medical benefits of using GLA externally
- Who is likely to be deficient in GLA?
- How to take GLA
- Contraindications for Using GLA
- The GLA we recommend
There are a variety of nutritional supplements women use for supporting hormone health, and one of the most popular ones is Evening Primrose Oil, which is often used for acne, PMS pain , and even menopause.
The main active ingredient in Evening Primrose that can be credited with these benefits is called GLA.
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Estrogen Dominance And Hormonal Imbalances
Researchers believe that several decades of environmental exposure to toxins and malabsorption of nutrients have caused a prevalence of female problems. A major factor in the progression of these diseases is an insufficient production of progesterone during the second phase of a woman’s cycle, called the luteal phase. As a result of this imbalance, estrogen controls the second half of the menstrual cycle too. This is called a luteal phase defect. A common factor in hormonal imbalance involves the pituitary gland. The pituitary detects elevated estrogen levels, and lets the ovaries know they can start producing less of it. When the pituitary gland generates too much prolactin, a specific hormone, luteal phase defects may result.Too much Prolactin can lead to an imbalance in the female sex hormones. Estrogen Dominance and Hormonal imbalances are frequently caused by: Pesticide laden non-organic foods, excessive amounts of rBGH present in dairy, red meats, caffeine, refined sugar, chocolate and alcohol.Due to their high ‘fat’ content, Dairy and red meat sponge up many environmental Contaminants . In addition, dairy contains excessive estrogen, antibiotics,and Growth hormones .Caffeine & refined Sugar consumption encourages TUMOR formation and growth and is also implicated in the progressive growth of Cancer cells . Caffeine is a major factor in tumor formation. It promotes cell dehydration and constipation.
It May Soothe Eczema Symptoms
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition that causes itchiness, redness, and inflammation of the skin. It’s most common among children but can affect people of any age.
Although many claim that borage oil is a great natural treatment for eczema, the available research is mixed, especially with oral supplements. In a 2003 study1 that looked at 140 adults and children with eczema, for example, the researchers didn’t find a significant difference between the effectiveness of borage oil supplements and placebos over a 12-week period.
Later, a 2010 review2 of a dozen studies assessing borage oil as a treatment for eczema, all involving a mix of oral and topical applications, was slightly more optimistic, concluding that borage oil might be useful for some patients “with less severe atopic dermatitis who are seeking an alternative treatment.” This supports another study3, which found that eczema symptoms were alleviated when children wore undershirts that had been “coated” in borage oil.
Bottom line: For eczema, go with a topical borage oil over a supplement.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Borage Oil
While several of borage oil’s supposed health benefits aren’t supported by the strongest research, most studies have found little in the way of side effects associated with taking it as a supplement.
However, borage oil may be unsafe for women who are pregnant or nursing, people with bleeding disorders, and people with liver disease. You should also avoid taking borage oil supplements within two weeks of a scheduled surgery, as it may thin the blood.
As with other supplements containing fatty acids, like fish oil pills, it’s possible that you’ll experience minor side effects like bloating, nausea, and indigestion if you take borage oil. But these aren’t common. To be safe, always talk to your doctor if you’re thinking about trying a new supplement.
Borage Is High In Gla
Borage is popular as a natural anti-inflammatory supplement because it has one of the highest amounts of gamma-linolenic acid of all seed oils. This fatty oil, which is also found in evening primrose oil , may be helpful for treating conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis. GLA is also commonly used by individuals with diabetes-induced nerve pain, eczema, and high blood pressure.
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Is Evening Primrose Oil Safe After Breast Cancer
I have read that taking evening primrose oil can increase production of estrogen and is therefore not safe for use by women who have had estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. Can you tell me whether this is true?
Andrew Weil, M.D. |May 8, 2012
Evening primrose oil is a natural source of GLA , an essential fatty acid. Very hard to come by in the diet, GLA is an effective anti-inflammatory agent with none of the side-effects of anti-inflammatory drugs. It also promotes healthy growth of skin, hair, and nails. Along with other sources of GLA, including black currant oil and borage oil , evening primrose oil is frequently recommended for treatment of skin conditions , arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and premenstrual syndrome.
I discussed your question with Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., an internationally recognized expert in the fields of integrative medicine, dietary supplements and womens health, and an authority on botanical medicine. She says she isnt aware of any contraindications of the use of evening primrose oil by women who have had breast cancer. Dr. Low Dog also notes that surveys have shown that some of these women use EPO to relieve hot flashes, particularly those caused by the anti-estrogen drug, tamoxifen. Although many users report that it helps, there is little formal, clinical evidence to show that it is effective for everyone.
Andrew Weil, M.D.
It May Help Reverse Gum Disease
Gingivitis isn’t an issue you probably think about much, but it can have a big impact on your overall health. Not to sound too much like your dentist, but gingivitis is at the root of many bigger health problems, including respiratory disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis.
We all know that the key to healthy gums is good oral hygiene, which means brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. But, for people already suffering from periodontal inflammation, borage oil supplements can help get things back on track, some studies4 suggest.
One of the most common tests for gum disease is measuring probing depth. You’ve probably had this done at the dentist, even if you didn’t realize that’s what was happening. Basically, think of each of your teeth as sitting in a pocket inside your gums. To measure probing depth, your dentist will insert a metal probe into those pockets to see how much space there isand the less space the better. The deeper the pocket, the worse shape your gums are in.
In one study5, patients who were treated with GLA supplements saw a significant decrease in their probing depthin other words, a reversal of their gum disease. Since borage oil is extremely high in GLA, taking it as a supplement in capsule form could help treat gingivitis in conjunction with increased brushing and flossing.
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Borage Seed Oil And Evening Primrose
Two additional oral oils that contain large amounts of PUFAs are evening primrose oil and BSO. EPO contains 8% to 10% GLA BSO contains at least 23% GLA . A 2013 Cochrane review of 27 studies with a total of 1596 patients found that neither oral BSO nor EPO are efficacious in improving global AD symptoms or quality of life. Adverse effects included mild gastrointestinal upset . One case report found an increased risk of inflammation, thrombosis, and immunosuppression with prolonged use of EPO another study found an increased risk of bleeding with patients on concomitant warfarin therapy . To date, there does not appear to be convincing evidence for either oral EPO and BSO in the treatment of AD. One alarming case report in 2011 found that 1 week of BSO use was associated with development of status epilepticus in a 41-year-old woman .
Sunil Pai MD, in, 2007
Medications That Increase The Breakdown Of Other Medications By The Liver Inducers Interacts With Borage
Borage is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down borage seed oil can be harmful. Medications that cause the liver to break down borage seed oil might enhance the toxic effects of chemicals contained in borage seed oil.Some of these medicines include carbamazepine , phenobarbital, phenytoin , rifampin, rifabutin , and others.
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Starflower Oil Weight Loss Maintenance
Unfortunately, taking starflower is unlikely to have any magical fat-burning effects. However, research suggests the GLA in starflower oil could be helpful in reducing the risk of weight regain after significant weight loss.13
- In one study, taking a daily 5g dose of borage oil helped 50 obese participants to reduce the amount of weight they regained.14
Is Evening Primrose Oil Really The Best Source
Like oranges as the go-to source of vitamin C or bananas as the go-to source for potassium, EPO simply had lots of marketing and education put behind it even in naturopathic schools. The best natural source of GLA is borage seed oil.
In fact, borage oil contains 2 to 3 times more GLA than Evening Primrose Oil does, which is why we use borage rather than Evening Primrose in our GLA Maximus supplement.
Evening Primrose Oil also at least one downside as a GLA supplement:
Its known for increasing prostaglandin levels in general. That can increase pain levels and aggravate menstrual cramps. The reason for this is that prostaglandins stimulate muscles in the uterus to shed the uterine lining. It can also contribute to chronic inflammatory conditions.
Borage has an advantage over Evening Primrose in that it isnt estrogenic and its not known for increasing all prostaglandin levels.
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It May Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Good news if you have achy joints: There’s some decent evidence that borage oil helps patients with arthritis. Borage oil, which we’ve already established has anti-inflammatory properties, has been shown in studies to improve mobility and reduce symptoms among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have also found that there were no significant side effects associated with using borage oil as a treatment for arthritis.
It May Help Ease Symptoms Of Pms And Menopause
Among the female-specific benefits attributed to GLA are regulation of the menstrual cycle, PMS relief, and reduction of hot flashes and mood swings during menopause. However, no studies have specifically looked into borage oil’s effect on these.
But in a study6 looking into the effectiveness of evening primrose oil as a treatment for menopausal symptomsin which researchers gave a group of 56 women either 500 mg of primrose oil or a placebo for six monthsthe primrose oil was no better at reducing hot flashes than the placebo.
But even though primrose and borage oils have similar GLA content, that doesn’t necessarily mean they function exactly the same way in the bodyand Dr. Brighten still finds borage oil effective for helping her patients manage hormone-related issues.
“Because I work with women in my clinic who are seeking guidance in optimizing their menstrual cycle hormones, I often recommend borage oil during the luteal phase and omega-3s in the follicular phase,” says Dr. Brighten. “In other patients who are struggling with inflammation, joint pain, menopausal symptoms, or cognitive issues, for example, we’ll use the supplement daily.”
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It Can Help With Symptoms Triggered By Fluctuations In Hormones
Evening primrose oil and starflower oil are the two classic supplements that many women credit with tackling symptoms sparked by fluctuations in hormones. For example, many believe taking these plant seed oils can help with reducing hot flushes, calming mood swings, relieving menstrual cramps and generally regulating the menstrual cycle.
There currently arent sufficient high-quality studies to draw accurate conclusions on whether taking starflower oil for menopause and PMS symptoms really helps. But it seems plausible that a deficiency in GLA could contribute to the inflammation that makes PMS and menopause symptoms worse.10
- The GLA in starflower oil may interfere with menstrual cramp-inducing prostaglandins.11 However, theres very little research out there to confirm this leads to a reduction in abdominal discomfort for women.
- A plentiful dose of the GLA you get from starflower oil could help with reducing breast discomfort connected with the menstrual cycle.12
How Your Thyroid Could Be Impacted In Peri
Even though both estrogen and progesterone are declining in peri-menopause, progesterone declines more dramatically in this stage. This leads to a condition called estrogen dominance.
Too much estrogen can prevent the thyroid hormone from getting to where it needs to go and can prevent it from converting to its active form. For some women, their thyroid symptoms are simply a result of this high estrogen interfering with thyroid hormone activity. Well talk about how to address estrogen dominance shortly.
Another thing estrogen effects is the immune system. Estrogen is associated with stimulating the TH2 branch of the immune system . TH2 is short for T Helper cell type 2, a lymphocyte . TH2 is part of the adaptive immune system, which mounts a specific attack against pathogens.+ Adaptive immunity is usually a good thing, but it can also lead to autoimmunity if the antigen activity is directed towards itself.
As estrogen is the dominant sex hormone in women, this helps to explain why autoimmunity and thyroid disease is more common in women.
As we age, we also experience decreased immunity, and a tendency towards TH2 response.
In the aged, however, naive cells are less likely to become effectors. In those that do, there is a documented shift towards a Th2 cytokine response.
However, there is hope and action we can take to keep estrogen in check!
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What Does Gla Do
GLA is an omega 6 fatty acid found in various plant oils, including starflower oil and evening primrose oil. About one-third of the content of starflower oil is GLA .2 This is significantly more than other seed oils.
Your body converts GLA into prostaglandin a hormone-like chemical which gives your body important fighting abilities. So, its no surprise that starflower oil is the subject of much research in relation to reducing symptoms of various chronic inflammatory conditions.
For example, its often connected to relieving joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis.3
However, theres also a lot of buzz around GLAs influence on hormone regulation. This fuels speculation that it could aid PMS and menopause symptoms.