Indications

• Promotes healthy circulation
• Prevent hair loss
• Improves health of hair, skin, and nails
• Prevents breakage & damage to hairs and scalp
• Relives symptoms of eczema, acne and psoriasis
• Reduces pain and stiffness to those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis
• Reduces impotance in men
• Good for improving inflammatory problems in the body

Borage Oil as Hair Growth Treatment

Borage oil contains GLA (Gamma Linolenic acid) which is an omega 6 fatty acid. GLA is an essential fatty acid that our body is not able to synthesize itself and that is why we need it from outside sources as food supplement.
Borage oil heals common scalp disorder such as dandruff, hair loss and folliculitis because of its anti-inflammatory qualities. The fatty acids in the oil also stimulate hair growth by nourishing and moisturizing the scalp.

N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine

N-acetyl-L-Cysteine is acetylated from of the amino acid cysteine. It is a powerful antioxidant and antitoxin.
Body does not produce sulfur on its own but it is necessary nutrient for the healthy hairs; Cysteine is sulfur containing amino acid. A sulfur deficiency can cause hair to be weak and brittle and experience slow growth.

Grape Seed Extract

The OPC's (oligomeric Proanthocyanidin complex), present in grape seeds inhibits the production of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), the one of the main factors in hair loss. The OPC's also stimulate hair follicles, promoting healthy hair growth. It is not only excellent to treat hair loss but also helps to reverse the effects of aging because of its detoxifying property.

Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract contains antioxidants of which the major category is catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG promotes growth of hair follicles and stimulates the human dermal papilla cells to boost hair production. Green may have potential to inhibit 5-alpha- redutase, the scalp pathway that converts testosterone to DHT cause hair loss.

Inositol

Inositol is naturally occurring glucose isomer and is a member of vitamin B complex. It is synthesis in body by glucose. Deficiency of Inositol causes hair loss or alopecia or patchy baldness. Inositol helps maintaining healthy skin and is needed for hair growth and healthy hair.

Vitamins

Biotin also known as Vitamin H. biotin promotes production of keratin and promotes hair and nail growth. Biotin combine with zinc has been used to combat alopecia.

Niacin amide is a vitamin B3. Niacin is known to have positive effects on hair growth by reducing cholesterol which if it produced in the scalp sebaceous glands can trigger the formation of DHT. Niacin has been shown to work best when combine with biotin.

Folic acid is a water soluble vitamin B6. It helps in the formation of the red blood cells and replacing the old cells of the body with new cells. Decrease in folic acid may contribute to decrease hair-follicle cell division and growth.

Choline bitartrate increases the effectiveness of the Inositol to protect hair follicle membrane and works together with Inositol to form lecithin, a lipid that is needed to form hair cells.

Minerals

Iron is present in red blood cells that carry oxygen to every cell and hence promote hair growth by enhancing blood circulation to the scalp. An iron deficiency can cause body to stop producing hairs.

Zinc is essential for DNA and RNA synthesis. It helps in removal of superoxide radicals thereby promotes follicle health. A deficiency of zinc can lead to hair loss and a dry, flaky scalp.

Copper acts as antioxidant which helps in free radical scavenging and prevents hair loss. Free radicals are responsible for hair damage.

Selenium stimulates hair growth by helping immune system function. It acts as antioxidant that provides protection against the oxidative damage results in healthy hair follicles.

Mechanism of Action

GLA is metabolized in the body to DGLA (Dihomo Gamma Linolenic acid). DGLA is also a precursor of prostaglandins (PGE1). DGLA furthers inhibits Leukotriene synthesis which is an inflammatory mediator.

PGE1 initiate several activities that are basis of anti-inflammatory role such as:
• Inhibitory effects on inflammatory cells like leukocyte
• Increasing the concentration of the intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP)
•Increased cAMP produced several effects like- reduction of release of lysosomal enzymes, chemotaxis, migration and adherence of cells in blood vessels
• Inhibits platelet aggregation

So GLA settles down inflammation by DGLA through competitive inhibition of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These are possible mechanism for anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, anti thrombotic and antiproliferative actions of gamma Linolenic acid.

Pharmacokinetic

GLA is digested in the small intestine into fatty acid and triglycerides after deacylation. Within the mucosal cells of small intestine, recyclation occurs and GLA enters the lymphatics in the form of fat globules which drain it into blood vessels from where it is circulated to cells all over the body.

GLA is metabolize d to DGLA and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and this DGLA is then get converted to PGE2 which further metabolize to other prostaglandins and then ultimately to form carboxylic acid that is excreted out of body through urine.

Drug Interaction

GLA may show interactions with these drugs:
•Phenothiazines include chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others
• Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs
• Cephalosporin (Ceftazidime)
• Aspirin and naproxen

Warning and Precautions

Caution is advised in those using anticoagulant or antiplatelet (blood thinning) agents.

Side Effects

Gastrointestinal problems such as: nausea, vomiting, gas, diarrhea, and bloating.

Contraindications

• Borage oil is contraindicated in seizure patients.
• Bleeding disorder: There is some concern that borage oil might prolong bleeding time and increase risk of bruising and bleeding. Thus person with bleeding disorder must use borage oil supplement with caution.