Fifteen studies were conducted, 10 dealing with evening primrose oil and five with borage oil, which contains higher concentrations of GLA, and were summarized in a review of atopic dermatitis (eczema) treatments. Researchers found the studies did not show convincing evidence of any benefit.
To try and prove the notion that GLA works only when given in high doses, researchers conducted a study on 151 people with atopic dermatitis. Again they found no statistically significant benefit, which resulted in UK’s Medicines Control Agency’s decision to withdraw the product license.
British Medical Journal December 13, 2003 (Full Text Article)
Over the last 15 years our center has routinely provided resolution of severe cases of atopic dermatitis with inexpensive nutritional manipulations that are not addressed in this review. I don't think GLA or evening primrose oil is a magic potion for eczema in and of itself. If this is the only factor one is changing, I would agree with the article and in fact had a letter posted by the BMJ addressing this very topic last summer.
One of the keys here is to eliminate excess omega-6 fats and increase the beneficial omega-3 fats such as EPA and DHA that are common in fish oils. Cod liver oil is profoundly effective here as it has significant quantities of vitamin D and vitamin A that frequently provide synergistic therapeutic effects. I have researched and tried many fish oil brands, and in all confidence I can say the Carlson's brand we offer is currently the most superior available.
Carlson’s fish oil and cod liver oil are purified to the highest standards--and routinely tested using AOAC international protocols in an independent, FDA-registered laboratory--to ensure freedom from detectable levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, PCBs and 28 other contaminants. Plus, they are free from chemical modification and processing.
Additionally, restriction of sugars and grains, especially gluten, and fruit juices are also helpful at normalizing insulin levels that modulate the omega 6:3 ratio.
These dietary changes have had profound beneficial effects in the most extreme cases of atopic dermatitis we have seen. Most all of my patients seem to respond amazingly well to the above recommendations.
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