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Black Currant, Borage, Evening Primrose, Flax and Hemp Oil Review

Plasticizers in Flaxseed Oil

August 19, 2025

Tests by an independent research group found phthalates (plasticizers that can cause hormone disruption) in several popular bottled flaxseed oils. Find out how these amounts compare to safety limits in the Quality Concerns section of our Black Currant, Borage, Evening Primrose, Flax and Hemp Oil Review, which includes our Top Pick for flaxseed oil.

Hemp Seed Benefits?

November 14, 2024

What are hemp seeds and does eating them help with heart health, diabetes, or boosting testosterone? Find out in our article about the benefits, safety, and what to consider when picking a product.

Also see our test results for:

Black Currant or Caffeine for Hair?

August 04, 2023

Does black currant seed oil, or its constituent gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), increase hair growth? Find out what research suggests in the GLA section of our ALA and GLA Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick for black currant seed oil.

Also find out if applying caffeine to the scalp increases hair growth and reduces shedding in our article about supplements and topicals for hair.

Walnuts for Omega-3s?

July 06, 2022

Walnuts are often touted as a good source of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA, but can eating walnuts regularly increase blood levels of DHA and EPA (the omega-3s in fish oil)? Find out in the What It Is section of our Black Currant Oil, Borage Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Flaxseed Oil, and Hemp Oil Supplements Review.

Is Omega-6 a Problem?

January 18, 2019

Do omega-6 fatty acids like LA and GLA, found in many seed oils, promote inflammation in the body? No, and yes, according to the latest findings. Get the details in the Is Omega-6 a Problem? section of our Omega-3 and -6 Fatty Acid Supplements Review.

Flaxseed Oil for High Blood Pressure?

November 05, 2018

Does flaxseed oil (which is rich in the omega-3 fatty acid ALA) help lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure? Learn what a recent study found in the What It Does section of the Flaxseed Oil Review. (Also see our Top Picks for flaxseed and other seed oils.)

Flaxseed Oil for Improving Cholesterol?

May 09, 2015

A recently published study looked at the metabolic effects of taking daily flaxseed oil on middle-aged men. It found a possible benefit among those with higher triglyceride levels, but overall results were not impressive. More about the study, flaxseed oil, whole flaxseed, and our tests and comparisons of products, is found in the Flaxseed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Borage Oil, and Black Currant Oil Supplements Review >>

Flaxseed Lowers Blood Pressure

August 21, 2014

Consuming milled flaxseed significantly lowered blood pressure in people with peripheral arterial disease, according to a recent clinical trial. Additional analysis of those results suggests the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) -- an omega-3 fatty acid -- in flaxseed may be responsible for the effect. Get the details, including the amount of flaxseed used, plus our tests of flaxseed, evening primrose, borage, and other seed oils containing ALA and GLA, in the updated Flaxseed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Borage Oil, and Black Currant Oil Supplements Review >>

Supplement Helps Dry Eye

August 03, 2013

A supplement containing omega-6 (from black currant seed oil) and omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil) was recently shown to improve symptoms of dry eye. Get the details about this formula (plus our test results of other omega-3 and -6 fatty acids supplements) in the updated Black Currant, Borage, Evening Primrose, and Flaxseed Oils Review >>

Omega-6 for Eczema?

May 04, 2013

Supplements with the omega-6 fatty acid GLA from evening primrose oil or borage oil have long been promoted to treat eczema. However, a recent review of data from 27 studies casts doubt on this use. Get more information about this, and about omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, in the updated Black Currant, Borage, Evening Primrose, and Flaxeed Oil Supplements Review >>

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