Dry Skin and GLA

Nutrition
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With winter rolling around soon, I thought I’d share something I just learned about GLA and dry skin. This study shows that transdermal/topical GLA (from borage oil) improved skin’s ability to retain moisture! I’ve always had issues with dry skin, so I’m gonna be giving this a try.

Tollesso A, Frithz A. Transepidermal water loss and water content in the stratum corneum in
infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis. Acta Derm Venereol 73:18-20, 1993.
“Significant differences in transepidermal water loss (TEWL**) between patients and controls were found before treatment. After treatment no significant differences were found… Gamma-linolenic acid is suggested to be of importance in maintaining normal TEWL…”

**Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is defined as “the measurement of the quantity of water that passes from inside a body (animal or plant) through the epidermal layer (skin) to the surrounding atmosphere via diffusion and evaporation processes.” source wikipedia

There’s been a lot of good info about GLA published here at T-Nation, but maintaining water stasis isn’t something I’ve ever read before. Seems like improving skin water stasis could potentially lead to better hydration levels throughout the body! I’d go as far as to say that this could provide performance benefit for people with chronically dry skin like me! I’m thinking there could be a link to GLA metabolism, though I haven’t found any info on if topical GLA is any better than consuming additional GLA, though perhaps it is. There are numerous conditions that can affect GLA metabolism (*see clarification edit below), including pyroluria, and deficiency of certain enzymes.

I found the above study in this paper, which has some good background info about GLA and how it can benefit numerous inflammatory conditions, including rhuematoid arthritis.

No idea what this condition is, but it also concludes that there topical GLA provides relief: Therapeutic effect of topical gamma-linolenic acid on refractory uremic pruritus - PubMed

*edit: To clarify, there are some people who cannot effectively process GLA. Perhaps, transdermal absorption allows for better utilization, or perhaps it’s just a means to “ingest” additional GLA. Never-the-less, transdermal application has been shown to benefit dry skin and skin inflammatory conditions.

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Oh, and besides pyrolurics*** (who excrete GLA, Zinc, and B6 in their urine due to genetic issue), and those with a genetic deficiency in the enzyme (Delta 6 desaturase), high insulin levels and aging decreases your body’s ability to convert LA to GLA (endogenously). Moral of the story, if you have a health condition, are getting older, or have chronically elevated insulin, you may very well be deficient in GLA. This enzyme is the same enzyme responsible for (endogenously) converting plant based omega 3s into the kind your body can use, which is the main reason animal based omega 3s are better than plant based – no conversion necessary, and don’t have to guess your D6D level. I’ve read that if you are low in omega 6 GLA, you will probably respond better to oils with GLA rather than exclusively omega 3s.

You may be low in this key omega 6 fat if you have: Extremely dry skin (remember that GLA “waterproofs” the skin), have raised nodules on your skin (the back of the upper arm is the most common place, but they can commonly appear on the butt, hamstrings and other places as well including the face… these aren’t pimples. They’re called keratosis pilaris), abnormal fat distribution, plus the symptoms of pyroluria* which include severe mood swings, stress, chronic fatigue, tendency to argue, sensitivity to light and loud noises, poor immune function, little or no dream recall, reading disorder in childhood, craving for spicy/salty foods, poor appetite in the AM, and other symptoms of copper toxicity. (Copper competes with zinc, so if these symptoms fit you, you are probably low in zinc as well (any of the above, but also indicated if you routinely have white spots on your nails, called leukonychia partialis (leukonychia punctata)).

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[quote]BulletproofTiger wrote:
Oh, and besides pyrolurics*** (who excrete GLA, Zinc, and B6 in their urine due to genetic issue), and those with a genetic deficiency in the enzyme (Delta 6 desaturase), high insulin levels and aging decreases your body’s ability to convert LA to GLA (endogenously). Moral of the story, if you have a health condition, are getting older, or have chronically elevated insulin, you may very well be deficient in GLA. This enzyme is the same enzyme responsible for (endogenously) converting plant based omega 3s into the kind your body can use, which is the main reason animal based omega 3s are better than plant based – no conversion necessary, and don’t have to guess your D6D level. I’ve read that if you are low in omega 6 GLA, you will probably respond better to oils with GLA rather than exclusively omega 3s.

You may be low in this key omega 6 fat if you have: Extremely dry skin (remember that GLA “waterproofs” the skin), have raised nodules on your skin (the back of the upper arm is the most common place, but they can commonly appear on the butt, hamstrings and other places as well including the face… these aren’t pimples. They’re called keratosis pilaris), abnormal fat distribution, plus the symptoms of pyroluria* which include severe mood swings, stress, chronic fatigue, tendency to argue, sensitivity to light and loud noises, poor immune function, little or no dream recall, reading disorder in childhood, craving for spicy/salty foods, poor appetite in the AM, and other symptoms of copper toxicity. (Copper competes with zinc, so if these symptoms fit you, you are probably low in zinc as well (any of the above, but also indicated if you routinely have white spots on your nails, called leukonychia partialis (leukonychia punctata)).[/quote]

Thanks for all this info Bullet.What do you think is a good amount of GLA to dose with daily If someone was lacking In GlA with the symptoms stated above.

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First, can you clarify which symptoms? I ask because if the person has pyroluria symptoms in addition to dry skin, GLA alone will not solve the issue. I’ve always had white spots on nails, social anxiety, joint and immune issues, including asthma, and numerous other symptoms (gluten sensitivity) all pointing to pyroluria. Why no doctors figured this out, I haven’t a clue. I’ve worked tirelessly to try to improve my health over the years. Had no idea that ZMA (Zinc, B6, and Magnesium) and Borage Oil were by far the two most important supplements for me (besides lower sugar no grain diet)… Crazy that I’m just now realizing these connections. Looking forward to feeling normal.

For dry skin, I’m still reading about the best strategy. I don’t know if there is much info on upper limit. I’d say 1-2 grams of GLA (5-15 grams of GLA oil) would be a good place to start. Most products that contain GLA have anywhere from 10%-25%, so just do the calculation based on what source you choose. I’m not saying you should go that high. 5 grams of GLA rich oil would be a more moderate starting place. Also, some info says Evening Primrose Oil is better than Borage Oil, even though Borage oil is a more concentrated source of GLA. I wouldn’t worry too much about it though.

You could also apply the oil to your skin. Some people also get good results with coconut oil applied directly to the skin, though this doesn’t supply GLA. Maybe GLA oil and coconut oil??

Omega 6s also compete for D6D, so limiting those, while increasing fish based omega 3s and GLA would be a good strategy to dealing with inflammation.

This study shows that trans fats decrease delta-6 desaturase (D6D), which is one of the main reasons to not eat hydrogenated oils. “Horrobin, David F, “The regulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis by manipulation of essential fatty acid metabolism”, Reviews in Pure and Applied Pharmacological Sciences, Vol 4, pp 339-383, Freund Publishing House, 1983”

Excess omega 6s (corn and others) block prostaglandin 3 production (the good one created via EPA/DHA rich fish oil). Omega 6 oils compete for D6D.

Deficiencies of biotin, vitamin E, protein, zinc, B12 and B6 all interfere with the action of delta-6 desaturase and other enzymes involved in prostaglandin production. Alcohol consumption also interferes with D6D, as does malnutrition and overeating.

Diseases thought to be caused by altered D6D function include diabetes, alcoholism, cancer, premature aging, high cholesterol, Crohn’s disease, cirrhosis of the liver, eczema, PMS, noncancerous breast disease, Sjogren’s syndrome, scleroderma, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. In cancerous cells, all D6D activity is lost. GLA (from evening primrose, borage or black current oils) inhibits the growth of cancer cells but not of normal cells.

GLA is found in evening primrose oil, borage oil, black currant oil, and help oil primarily.

I don’t know what qualifies this statement but I’ve read that higher levels of GLA are converted into prostaglandin E-1 (PGE-1) with evening primrose than with borage oil.

Some additional info here: Tripping Lightly Down the Prostaglandin Pathways - The Weston A. Price Foundation

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Borage is def the preferred source of GLA for males.
Biotest have a hefty does of it in their FA3 product.

I’m 40, have really ‘healthy’ skin and and taken borage oil for years.

It has helped many people I know who have psoriasis (it runs in my family) or dry itchy skin. Primrose oil is a great choice for females.

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[quote]PKS wrote:
Borage is def the preferred source of GLA for males.
Biotest have a hefty does of it in their FA3 product.

I’m 40, have really ‘healthy’ skin and and taken borage oil for years.

It has helped many people I know who have psoriasis (it runs in my family) or dry itchy skin. Primrose oil is a great choice for females.
[/quote] I do trust and believe borage is good for men, but what specifically is it about EPO that makes it a great choice for women. Everything I read about EPO says it helps wommens problems, but it attributes it to the GLA, stating that something along the lines that “Although borage oil, black currant oil, and hemp seed oil contain higher amounts of GLA, these oils may not be as efficiently absorbed or as biologically active.” So, despite looking, I can’t find anything which says EPO is feminizing, or what have you, and while it has less GLA, i’ve read several accounts stating it converts more readily (more bioactive). I’m not saying either is better without more support (though I did buy some Borage, and have been downing the hemp oil for a few weeks).

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For example: udoerasmus.com/articles/udo/epo_expanded.htm

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Just bought some borage oil caps. I have bad skin and have no idea why but I know its something going wrong internally been trying to figure it out for a while.

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[quote]StevenF wrote:
Just bought some borage oil caps. I have bad skin and have no idea why but I know its something going wrong internally been trying to figure it out for a while. [/quote]

Don’t want to hijack the thread but, what is your diet like?

I had a similar issue though minor and I was clear rather quickly when I changed my diet and added a few things.

Perhaps start another thread.

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What did you add Seraphim? Curious because I eat really clean and and still get pretty dry skin. I eat plenty of fats as well (EVOO, Coconut, grass-fed butter, flax, fish oil, and sat. fats from meats, whole eggs, avocados, etc ((not all daily, but at least 20-30% fat from good sources)). Seems like the only fat I didn’t get a lot of was GLA, because it’s hard to get in appreciable amounts. I also eat a lot of veggies, some berries and no-sugar added cranberry juice, and no gluten and low sugar. Still have dry skin… I’m also fairly sensitive to chemicals (I run when someone sprays lysol. freshly cleaned (bleach) wrestling mats used to make me itch like no other… I’m hoping GLA helps all this from recurring.

I think, but can’t prove that keratosis pilaris is a sure sign that you need more GLA, possibly in addition to other things as well.

I had it since a kid, and knew it, along with white spots on nails were a sign something was wrong. I always frequently ate red meat, which is a great source of zinc, so why the spots on the nails. Even though I asked doctors and searched the net, couldn’t find any credible info. A lot of info links GLA deficiency to a host of psychological problems as well (in addition to methylation issues). I think I finally have it figured out. Fingers crossed.

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[quote]xXSeraphimXx wrote:

[quote]StevenF wrote:
Just bought some borage oil caps. I have bad skin and have no idea why but I know its something going wrong internally been trying to figure it out for a while. [/quote]

Don’t want to hijack the thread but, what is your diet like?

I had a similar issue though minor and I was clear rather quickly when I changed my diet and added a few things.

Perhaps start another thread.[/quote]

its pretty damn clean for the most part. I try to stay away from gluten and sugar. Lapse sometimes but most days its pretty clean yet my skin problems persist. What did you change in your diet?

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[quote]BulletproofTiger wrote:

I had it since a kid, and knew it, along with white spots on nails were a sign something was wrong. I always frequently ate red meat, which is a great source of zinc, so why the spots on the nails. Even though I asked doctors and searched the net, couldn’t find any credible info. A lot of info links GLA deficiency to a host of psychological problems as well (in addition to methylation issues). I think I finally have it figured out. Fingers crossed.[/quote]

This thread has piqued my interest, since I get very dry skin each winter and can’t seem to find a real solution. I wonder, though, if you could clarify what you mean by white spots? How frequently and how many spots do you get on your nails?

I ask because I know that the odd white spot is normal, but I have a feeling as though this would happen more frequently with me.

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Do you, or have you had anxiety (panic), social anxiety, joint problems, digestion or other immune issues (asthma, chronic colds…)?

…“symptoms of pyroluria*** which include severe mood swings, stress, chronic fatigue, tendency to argue, sensitivity to light and loud noises, poor immune function, little or no dream recall, reading disorder in childhood, craving for spicy/salty foods, poor appetite in the AM, and other symptoms of copper toxicity” You can look up the symptoms of copper toxicity, but if zinc is low, copper will be high.

Many geniuses are thought to be/have been pyroluric, as copper excites the brain, and you can’t stop thinking! Just saying…

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Oh, and the white spots… i have some on each nail, except the thumbs. Every now and again, there aren’t but a spot or two (overall), but routinely there are two or more per each of 8 non-thumb nails.

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[quote]BulletproofTiger wrote:
Do you, or have you had anxiety (panic), social anxiety, joint problems, digestion or other immune issues (asthma, chronic colds…)?

…“symptoms of pyroluria*** which include severe mood swings, stress, chronic fatigue, tendency to argue, sensitivity to light and loud noises, poor immune function, little or no dream recall, reading disorder in childhood, craving for spicy/salty foods, poor appetite in the AM, and other symptoms of copper toxicity” You can look up the symptoms of copper toxicity, but if zinc is low, copper will be high.

Many geniuses are thought to be/have been pyroluric, as copper excites the brain, and you can’t stop thinking! Just saying…[/quote]

Interesting, thanks! I don’t have these symptoms for the most part, but do notice that I feel much, much better while supplementing with zinc/magnesium. I’m gonna give GLA in the form of borage oil a shot this winter to see if it’ll help with my dry skin. It gets pretty bad – to the point that my knuckles chap and bleed.

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Interesting about Borage and skin. I’ve been taking a combination product that has primrose oil in it, along with vitamin K2-7. I’ve noticed in the past that the Jarrow Formula vitamin K2/ EPO does improve my skin tone.