Borage oil is extracted from the seeds of Borago officinalis, commonly called borage. Borage is an annual plant with blue flowers that has a long history of use in herbal medicine. Borage oil is rich in a beneficial fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid or GLA. Hyperaldosteronism is one cause of high blood pressure and GLA has been found to decrease blood pressure. Borage oil is considered an alternative therapy and should be used for hypertension under medical supervision.
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids are both necessary and beneficial to the body. At 23 percent GLA, borage oil is the richest source of GLA, while docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is another critical fatty acid that is found in cold-water fish. Essential fatty acids are grouped into two families – omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids. GLA is an omega-6 and DHA is an omega-3. The most beneficial ratio between the two fatty acids is two to four parts of omega-6 to one part of omega-3.
Hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism is a disease that is caused by high production of the hormone aldosterone. Aldosterone is secreted by the adrenal glands and is one of the hormones involved in blood pressure regulation. Hyperaldosteronism is a rare disease; the primary symptoms are high blood pressure and low serum potassium. The most common causes of hyperaldosteronism are enlargement of the adrenal glands or a benign tumor of the adrenal gland.
GLA and Hypertension
Research has found that GLA stops the development of hypertension in rats. A study published in the July 1998 “Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine” reported that after five weeks of GLA in the form of borage oil, blood pressure was lower by 12 millimeters of mercury. Borage oil also lowered the production of aldosterone. A more recent study in the January 2001 “Journal of Nutrition” confirmed a significant decrease in blood pressure when hypertensive rats were fed a diet rich in essential fatty acids including GLA.
Considerations and Warnings
Borage oil should be taken only under medical supervision. You should not take omega-6 fatty acids if you have a seizure disorder. Don't take GLA if you are pregnant. GLA in doses higher than 3,000 milligrams a day may increase inflammation in the body and some indication exists that omega-6 fatty acids promote the growth of prostate cancer cells. Omega-6 fatty acid supplements may also interact negatively with blood-thinning medications such as warfarin, Plavix and aspirin, as well as chemotherapy drugs and phenothiazines.
References
- The Journal of Nutrition: A Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Diet Lowers Blood Pressure and Improves Antioxidant Status in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
- Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine: Effects Of Dietary Gamma-Linolenic Acid On Blood Pressure And Adrenal Angiotensin Receptors In Hypertensive Rats
- Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine: Borage (Borago officinalis)
- Life Extension Magazine: Fats for Life
- National Adrenal Diseases Foundation: Adrenal Diseases – Hyperaldosteronism the Facts You Need to Know
- University Of Maryland Medical Center: Gamma-Linolenic Acid
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