Gamma-Linolenic Acid
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid found in evening primrose, borage and blackcurrant seed oils.
Can it ease rheumatoid arthritis symptoms?
A Cochrane review found possible improvements in pain and disability across seven GLA-oil studies. Germany’s rheumatology society nonetheless advises against therapeutic use of borage-oil preparations: the trials were small, dropouts were common, and some comparisons lacked a placebo. This is a signal worth distinguishing from an established arthritis treatment. 1 2
Some controlled trials found symptom relief, but the evidence has important limitations. 1 2
The broader eczema evidence is negative
A Cochrane review of 27 trials involving 1,596 adults and children found no useful improvement in eczema with oral evening primrose or borage oil compared with placebo. Positive skin-barrier measurements in smaller studies do not overturn this result for overall eczema symptoms. 3 4
Oral evening primrose and borage oils did not improve eczema overall. This verdict concerns eczema, not every skin condition. 3
Rosacea and hydration offer narrower leads
In a trial of 31 people with rosacea, 320 mg GLA daily for eight weeks added to minocycline improved treatment success and skin-barrier measurements compared with minocycline plus placebo. Separately, a 12-week oil study in women reported improved hydration from baseline, including with borage oil; hydration also changed in the placebo group. These findings need confirmation and do not show that GLA alone treats rosacea. 5 6
Small studies report encouraging barrier and hydration findings in specific populations. 4 5 6
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Hair & Skin3 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Women's Hormones2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Bone & Joint1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Cardiovascular2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Other effects1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
All studies
3 publications are linked to Gamma-Linolenic Acid, newest first.