Borage Oil and Its Positive Effects on Health
Both conventional and alternative medicine have begun to recognise the medicinal benefits of borage seed oil in recent years. Gamma linoleic acid (GLA), the active ingredient in borage oil, has been the subject of a great deal of study. Research on the health benefits of GLA dates back to at least 1940. Although primrose oil was the focus of most studies in the 1940s, modern borage oil offers more GLA for the same price, so it is now the preferred oil of most people. Aside from spirulina, black current seed oil is another source of GLA.
When taking GLA, why is it recommended?
Linoleic acid can be converted into GLA in a healthy human body. Omega-6 fatty acids, which include sunflower, safflower, and maize oils, contain linoleic acid. Most nutritionists believe that a 1:1 ratio is necessary for optimal health, but Americans consume about ten times more omega-6 than omega-3. Supplementation is necessary because some people cannot convert linoleic acid to GLA.
Modern food production relies on hydrolyzed oils, which are the result of transforming polyunsaturated oils into modified saturated fats, such as margarine, that are semi-solid. Hydrogenation is a process that transforms oils from a healthy "CIS" oil to a harmful "TRANS" oil. It involves heating the oil to 250 degrees C and then pumping hydrogen gas through it while the heavy metal nickel is present. The result is a semi-solid oil. Overconsumption of tans fatty acids in modern diets has been found to inhibit the enzyme that converts linoleic acid to GLA, which means that a significant percentage of Americans may be unable to do this metabolic process.
Supplementing with GLA may be helpful for people with diabetes, asthma, cystic fibrosis, MS, and alcoholism. The capacity to transform linoleic acid into GLA is also absent in these people. If you suffer from any of these conditions, it may be because your body isn't producing enough hormones. Additionally, eating too much animal fat can prevent GLA from doing its job because it competes with the metabolic pathways that GLA uses.
Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is a crucial hormone regulator, and GLA can be converted to it in the same way that linoleic acid can. Research has demonstrated that PGE1 regulates arterial muscle tone, aids sodium excretion by the kidneys, prevents blood platelet stickiness, fights inflammation, and enhances immune function. As more and more GLA health benefits are found in the body, the list will keep growing. By restoring normalcy to the dysfunctional fatty acid metabolism in people with diabetes, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and multiple sclerosis, PGE1 can be useful in the management and alleviation of these diseases.
Diabetic neuropathy causes nerve degeneration and subsequent pain and numbness; however, GLA has the potential to reverse this condition, according to research. Supplementing with GLA may also help with hyperactivity in children, high cholesterol, skin problems, arthritis, allergies, weight loss, and other health issues. It may also strengthen hair and nails and reduce the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Due to PGE1's hormone-regulating capabilities, GLA has the potential to alleviate severe cramps experienced by some women.
What follows is an examination of the market's premier GLA source. Black current seed oil, primrose oil, and borage oil were the three that were mentioned. A 1000 milligramme dose of borage oil contains 24% GLA, or 240 milligrammes of GLA per pill; a 1000 milligramme dose of primrose oil contains 18% GLA, or 180 milligrammes per pill; and a 1000 milligramme dose of black current seed oil contains 10% GLA, or 100 milligrammes per pill. If you want to buy GLA oil, read the label to make sure it's 100% hexane free, put the bottle in a shaded area because sunlight can fade the oils, and stay away from oils that don't tell you how they were extracted.
Works Cited:
1. Udo Erasmus's Fats and Oils (vivid: Vancouver, 1986) 2. Nutrition and Health with Fats, R. Erdmann (Thorsons, England, 1990 Chapter 3). J. Whitaker's Reversing Diabetes (Warner, USA, 1987) 4. 5-Udo Erasmus's Healing Fats, Killing Fats (1990) 5. A.L. Gittleman's Beyond Pritkin (Bantam, USA, 1988) 6. 7. Omega-3 Enigma, by D. Ruden and C. Avon, 1987's Felix 8. promrose oil in the evening, jn. In 1984, Graham published Healing Arts. Using Gamma-Linoleic acid to Treat Diabetic Neuropathy, H. Dean & J. Payen [1993] in Diabetes Care 16(1): 8–15 10. Townsend letter for Doctors, Phytotherapy Review and Commentary, Evening Primrose Oil for Diabetic Neuropathy, D. Brown (1993).
For medical advice, including how to stop taking medication or which supplements to take, talk to your doctor. This article does not claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
