Borage
Borage officinalis

Borage contains mucilage, tannins, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to the liver. The seeds contain up to 24% gamma-linolenic acid.

Borage Oil is the best source of GLA, containing up to 24% of this fatty acid. Evening Primrose Oil (8-10% GLA) and Black Currant Oil (15-17% GLA) are other sources of GLA. Because of the higher concentration of GLA in Borage Oil, a person may consume less oil overall to achieve the required dosage. This allows the person consume the least amount of supplemental calories possible and makes Borage Oil the most economical source of GLA.

Dietary essential fatty acids common to borage seed oil are ultimately converted to hormone-like substances known as 'prostaglandins', and are important for the regulation of a host of bodily functions including:

Inflammation, swelling & pain
Pressure in the eye, joints or blood vessels
Secretions from mucus membranes and their viscosity
Smooth muscle & autonomic reflexes, gastrointestinal, arterial, ear, heart
Water retention
Blood clotting ability
Allergic response
Rheumatoid arthritis
Nerve transmission
Steroid production & hormone Synthesis

For those suffering from co-factor deficiencies, a broad spectrum multi-vitamin and mineral may be recommended with, perhaps, an oil supplement rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Nature's most potent concentration of GLA comes in the form of borage seed oil (24%). The combination of both flax and borage seed oil provides nature's best of the Omega-3 fatty acids in flax with the best of Omega-6 fatty acids in GLA rich borage oil.
 

Other benefits of borage seed GLA include:
Vasodilatation of blood vessels, which can reduce high blood pressure.
Reduction of abnormal blood clotting which can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke ·
Enhanced regulation of immune response, specifically a reduction in autoimmune dysfunction, the underlying cause of rheumatoid arthritis.
Enhanced defense against abnormal cell proliferation, which may prevent and even reverse some cancers.
Elimination of common skin disorder such as eczema.
Slowing of some aspects of normal aging.

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