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Black currant
seed oil
Ribes nigrum
First clinical study of y-linolenic
acid's effect on human immune function
Linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid
that is abundant in some botanical oils, alters the composition
of T-cell membranes, possibly allowing them to function more optimally.
In this study, black currant seed oil, which is composed of 15
to 19 percent y-linolenic acid, was chosen to test the acid's
effect on human immune function. Forty healthy volunteers aged
65 or older were given 750 mg black currant seed oil or 750 mg
soybean oil (placebo) six times/day for two months. Analysis of
the volunteers' blood showed that currant seed oil did not increase
cell membrane fluidity - one of the mechanisms by which immune
function may be optimized. However, the currant seed oil group
did demonstrate significant decreases in levels of prostaglandin
E2, which researchers interpreted as a "moderate enhancement of
immune response." Nearly all other parameters measured indicated
no difference between the treatment groups. Borage oil and evening
primrose oil are also rich sources of y-linolenic acid. Wu
D, Meydani M, Leka L, et al. Effect of dietary supplementation
with black currant seed oil on the immune response of healthy
elderly subjects. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999;
70:536-43.
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