Supplementation of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid for pollen-induced allergic symptoms in healthy subjects: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

Yokoi K, Yanagimoto K, Hayamizu K

Published in Nutrients

Methodology

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial; 33 healthy Japanese adults received 314 mg/day dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (n = 18) or olive oil placebo (n = 15) for 15 weeks during cedar pollen season.

Key Findings

Sneezing and blocked nose scores were significantly lower with DGLA than placebo (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01); runny nose and total symptom score showed non-significant trends (p < 0.1).

Conclusions

DGLA, the direct metabolite of the gamma-linolenic acid supplied by borage oil, reduced some cedar-pollen allergic symptoms in healthy adults.

Limitations

Very small sample; single pollen season and single population; tested DGLA directly rather than borage oil; several endpoints did not reach significance.