Ananda Mahony
NaomiGood Oils for Skin Conditions
October 8th 2008 06:14
The British Journal of Nutrition recently published a paper reporting that select nutrients have a significant effect on skin properties. In the study two groups of women ingested flaxseed or borage oil for 12 weeks. Dose was 2•2 g total fatty acids including both omega 3 & 6 fatty acids in the borage and flax seed groups. The control group received a placebo containing medium-chain fatty acids.
At weeks 6 and 12, skin irritation was performed by nicotinate treatment, and changes in skin reddening and blood flow were monitored. Compared to week 0, skin reddening was diminished in both groups; blood flow was also lowered. In addition, skin hydration was significantly increased after 12 weeks of treatment compared to week 0, with flaxseed or borage oil. Transepidermal water loss was decreased in both oil groups by about 10 % after 6 weeks of supplementation. A further decrease was determined after 12 weeks in the flaxseed oil group. Surface evaluation of living skin revealed that roughness and scaling of the skin were significantly decreased with flaxseed and borage oil comparing week 0 and week 12. Except for hydration, none of the parameters was affected in the placebo group.
So what does all this mean…most importantly that flaxseed oil and to a lesser extent borage oil consumption can significantly reduce the symptoms associated with red, scaly and inflamed skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and allergies. Importantly it also showed that oils, in this case regardless of the type, increased skin hydration and reduced water loss. The dosage equivalent is about 6 x 1000mg flax oil tablets per day. While this may seem high, initially the higher doses are needed to really shift the inflammatory cascade in the body.
I have written about the benefits of essential fatty acids or “the good oils” previously and it is so good to see research being published that confirms the excellent skin effects of these oils.
At weeks 6 and 12, skin irritation was performed by nicotinate treatment, and changes in skin reddening and blood flow were monitored. Compared to week 0, skin reddening was diminished in both groups; blood flow was also lowered. In addition, skin hydration was significantly increased after 12 weeks of treatment compared to week 0, with flaxseed or borage oil. Transepidermal water loss was decreased in both oil groups by about 10 % after 6 weeks of supplementation. A further decrease was determined after 12 weeks in the flaxseed oil group. Surface evaluation of living skin revealed that roughness and scaling of the skin were significantly decreased with flaxseed and borage oil comparing week 0 and week 12. Except for hydration, none of the parameters was affected in the placebo group.
So what does all this mean…most importantly that flaxseed oil and to a lesser extent borage oil consumption can significantly reduce the symptoms associated with red, scaly and inflamed skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and allergies. Importantly it also showed that oils, in this case regardless of the type, increased skin hydration and reduced water loss. The dosage equivalent is about 6 x 1000mg flax oil tablets per day. While this may seem high, initially the higher doses are needed to really shift the inflammatory cascade in the body.
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