BioStacks

Fatty Acid

Blackcurrant Seed Oil (GLA)

Evidence

Limited
Evidence: 2 of 5 (Limited)

What the evidence says

Blackcurrant seed oil contains ~15–20% GLA (~17%), a less-studied source than borage or evening primrose. 1980s–90s studies suggested GLA-enriched oils relieve RA and atopic dermatitis symptoms, but more recent reviews and meta-analyses are inconclusive, and benefit where seen required >1.4 g GLA/day for ≥6 months — well above typical supplement doses.

Thinly studied; older RA/eczema signal not confirmed by recent reviews; sub-therapeutic at common doses

Top Blackcurrant Seed Oil (GLA) supplements

About Blackcurrant Seed Oil (GLA)

Blackcurrant seed oil contains ~15–20% GLA (~17%), a less-studied source than borage or evening primrose. 1980s–90s studies suggested GLA-enriched oils relieve RA and atopic dermatitis symptoms, but more recent reviews and meta-analyses are inconclusive, and benefit where seen required >1.4 g GLA/day for ≥6 months — well above typical supplement doses. Also a source of alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3). Scored as oil mass, distinct from pure GLA.

What Blackcurrant Seed Oil (GLA) supports

  • Botanical GLA source (omega-6)
  • Also provides some alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3)

How much Blackcurrant Seed Oil (GLA) to take

The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.

Effective

10003000

mg

Blackcurrant seed oil is ~15–20% GLA (~17%), so 1–3 g provides ~150–600 mg GLA. Typical clinical dosing 2–10 g/day.

Clinical evidence

Limited clinical evidence. Thinly studied; older RA/eczema signal not confirmed by recent reviews; sub-therapeutic at common doses

Reference