Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements for Eczema

Researchers have reported that people with eczema do not have the normal ability to process fatty acids, which can result in a deficiency of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is found in evening primrose oil (EPO),borage oil, and black currant seed oil. Some, but not all, double-blind trials have shown that EPO is useful in the treatment of eczema. An analysis of nine trials reported that the effects for reduced itching were most striking. Much of the research uses 12 pills per day; each pill contains 500 mg of EPO, of which 45 mg is GLA. Smaller amounts have been shown to lack efficacy.

Supplementation with borage oil, another source of GLA, has led to reductions in skin inflammation, dryness, scaliness, and itch in eczema patients in some, but not all, preliminary or double-blind trials.

Many years ago, use of large amounts of vegetable oil (containing precursors to GLA) was reported to help treat people with eczema, but these studies were not controlled and do not meet modern standards of research.

Ten grams of fish oil providing 1.8 grams of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) per day were given to a group of eczema sufferers in a double-blind trial. After 12 weeks, those using the fish oil experienced significant improvement. According to the researchers, fish oil may be effective because it reduces levels of leukotriene B4, a substance that has been linked to eczema. The eczema-relieving effects of fish oil may require taking ten pills per day for at least 12 weeks. Smaller amounts of fish oil have been shown to lack efficacy...