Borage oil—which contains high concentration of γ linolenic acid—is not beneficial in atopic eczema. Takwale and colleagues (p 1385) randomised 140 patients with atopic dermatitis to take 920 mg of γ linolenic acid daily (460 mg in children) or a placebo for 12 weeks. They found no differences in signs of dermatitis (according to an atopic dermatitis score), reported symptoms, and requirements for corticosteroids between the two groups. Dietary supplementation with γ linolenic acid is unlikely to be beneficial in atopic dermatitis, the authors say.
Figure 1.
Credit: PHANIE/REX