How Does Borage Oil Help the Body?

Borage oil contains high amounts of the essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Gamma linolenic acid helps the body in a variety of ways, from improving blood pressure and circulation to maintaining youthful skin and reducing dryness. Borage oil helps the body by providing this essential fatty acid.

Properties

• The body doesn't make essential fatty acids, so they must be supplied by diet. GLA is found in many vegetable oils and is a part of a balanced diet. However, sometimes the body needs more than is being provided in order to achieve and maintain optimum health. Taking borage seed oil can help the body by providing this essential nutrient. The body uses GLA to create prostaglandin, a hormone-like substance that helps the body's smooth muscle system and blood vessel function. It also assists in moderating blood pressure and controlling inflammation.

Body

• Borage oil can be taken to help combat many ailments. It's been found to be effective in helping the body reduce inflammation, regulate blood pressure and assist in preventing blood clotting. The GLA found in borage oil has also been used in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, blood circulation and cardiovascular disease. It can also be taken to help the body with cases of minor depression, congestion, coughs, pre-menstrual symptoms and menopausal symptoms by supplying the GLA that can help to relieve these symptoms.

Skin

• Borage oil helps skin stay youthful and supple, and can help combat dryness when taken as a dietary supplement. Taking borage oil has also been found to help with cases of eczema and psoriasis. A nutritional deficiency can greatly affect skin health.

Intake

• Essential fatty acids are essential, and GLA is no exception. Though most balanced diets already consist of sufficient amounts of GLA, sometimes the body needs an additional source of this nutrient. GLA is found in many vegetable oils, as well as evening primrose oil and black current oil. However, borage seed oil contains 20 percent to 23 percent GLA, much more than your average vegetable oil and significantly more than evening primrose oil or black current oil.

Considerations

• There are several factors that may affect the amount of GLA necessary in your diet. Deficiency in GLA may develop with aging or glucose intolerance, and will depend on your diet and the amounts of dietary fats you consume on a regular bases. Borage seeds contain small amounts of liver toxins called pyrrolizidine alkaloids, although testing has indicated that the liver toxin doesn't exist in the seed oil. It's advised, however, to be aware of your source for dietary supplements. Taking large amounts of borage oil also may cause an upset stomach, though generally you should be OK with up to 12g a day.