Blackcurrant oil, rich in gamma linolenic acid (GLA), may help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of arthritis. It also has potential uses in cancer treatment and improving night vision. Long-term use has shown no serious side effects.
Blackcurrant oil is extracted from the pressed seeds of the blackcurrant plant. As a dietary supplement, it is usually sold as a gel capsule. It may have properties that help reduce inflammation, especially in the soft tissue surrounding bones and joints. For this reason, it is often used by people suffering from arthritis and related conditions.
One of the most effective compounds in blackcurrant oil is an omega-6 fatty acid called gamma linolenic acid (GLA). The oil extracted from blackcurrant seeds is very rich in GLA, and has one of the highest contents available in any natural supplement. GLA can also be found in fish oil and egg yolks and, as an extract, in borage and evening primrose.
Cancer studies show that the GLA found in blackcurrant oil can stop or slow the growth of cancer cells. It may also act as an agent that enhances the effectiveness of synthetic cancer treatments. Although these results were promising because they tested living tissue in a laboratory rather than actual cancer patients, they were generally considered inconclusive.
The antioxidant properties of blackcurrant oil may also be useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). According to a research article published in the Oxford Journal of Medicine, RA patients in a study group given blackcurrant oil showed improvement in many of their symptoms. However, it was decided that the doses required were too large to make it feasible, although it was seen as promising. The researchers concluded that it would be an adequate treatment for RA if a better delivery environment could be found.
Other medicinal uses for blackcurrant oil include improving night vision, lowering high blood pressure, and boosting the immune system. It has also been credited with helping to reduce stiff bones and alleviate some skin disorders. For centuries, it has been used in Europe to combat fever and promoted as a natural diuretic. Some herbalists believe that when gargled with water, blackcurrant oil can help reduce the pain and inflammation of a sore throat. Scientific studies conducted to support these claims are not available.
Research examining the long-term use of blackcurrant did not show serious side effects. The study was conducted over a period of one year, with test subjects taking the recommended daily dosage. In a small number of subjects, loose stools were the only side effect noted.
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