5 Health Benefits Of Borage Oil

Borage oil is derived from a wildflower known as borage, or “starflower.” It has a long history of both medicinal and culinary use that dates back hundreds of years. The oil is best known for providing a high level of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid with strong anti-inflammatory properties. Of the three oils that are good sources of GLA, blackcurrant seed, evening primrose and borage oil, borage has the highest concentration of 17 to 25 percent. GLA is best known for helping to keep the joints and skin healthy.

Borage is also loaded with macronutrients, including vitamins A and C, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and choline, and also contains proteins, fiber, minerals and other plant compounds.

* Relieving rheumatoid arthritis pain

Borage oil may best be known for helping to relieve the symptoms of autoimmune disorders, but recent research focused on borage oil and rheumatoid arthritis have shown the most promise. The authors of a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition analyzed data from numerous different trials, including their own, and concluded that GLA in oils like borage could provide symptom relief and possibly reduce the need for painkillers.

* Improving periodontitis

Preliminary evidence has suggested that borage oil’s anti-inflammatory effects may be beneficial for treating periodontitis, better known as gum disease. Reports on a study published in Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids showed that people who took borage oil supplements had better gum health and reduced periodontitis-related gingivitis.

* Battling certain cancers

Borage seed oil and GLA both have antioxidant and anti-mutagenic properties that can battle the growth of cancer cells. In lab studies, both have been shown to exhibit cytotoxic activities that can dramatically shorten the lifespan of toxic cells while also prolonging the lifespan of the healthy host at the same time. Taking a borage oil supplement has been recommended for protecting DNA as well as for a natural cancer treatment thanks to its ability to reduce the underlying oxidative genetic damage that leads to excess inflammation and the development of a disease.

* Alzheimer’s disease

GLA has the ability to boost the transmission of nerve impulses, which experts believe make borage oil potentially valuable for treating the memory deficiencies that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

* Encouraging weight and fat loss

For those struggling to lose weight, borage oil may be able to help as research has found that GLA-rich borage oil tends to cause less body fat accumulation as compared to more refined vegetable oils. Those who are leaner tend to have more brown fat than people who are obese or overweight and taking GLA can result in more brown fat accumulation and less white fat accumulation. That’s good news because the experts believe that brown fat may act more like a muscle, meaning it can keep your metabolism revved up.