Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Three grams of blackcurrant seed oil, when given to pregnant women at 8-16 weeks gestation, later through their breastfeeding cycle, and then to their infants until age 2 years, significantly improved atopic dermatitis in 12 month old infants compared to the olive oil placebo.
Atopic disease affects up to 20% of children and 3% of adults worldwide 1. Atopic diseases include atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergic rhinitis and asthma 2,3. It has been suggested that a possible cause for the increase in atopic disease is the change in dietary habits, specifically the decrease in omega-3 fatty acids and increase in omega-6 fatty acids 2,4. Recent research found supplementing pregnant mothers through cessation of breastfeeding, followed by supplementation in infants and children decreased atopic dermatitis in the first year of life 2.
Blackcurrant seed oil is rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The ratio of blackcurrant seed oil is said to be the optimal dietary ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 from 1:3 to 1:4 5. The first manifestation of atopic disease is often atopic dermatitis in infants, therefore the study began in pregnant mothers 2.
The research included 313 pregnant women randomly assigned to either the blackcurrant seed oil group (n=151) or the placebo group (n=162; olive oil). The first doses (6 caps per day, total 3 grams/day) were given during the 8-16th week of pregnancy when the women were enrolled in the study and continued until the end of exclusive breastfeeding. The infants then received the same oil in the form of drops (1mL/day) when excluding breastfeeding was ended, until 2 years of age 2.
Atopic disease in the parents was common, with 81.7% of parents having experienced an atopic disease, making the infants at an increased risk 2(1). The results were as follows:
| Percent with Atopic Dermatitis in Blackcurrant Seed Oil Group | Percent with Atopic Dermatitis in Placebo Group | Statistical Significance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 months of age | 0.33 | 0.473 | P=0.035 |
| 24 months of age | 0.388 | 0.489 | P=0.18 |
These results show significantly less atopic dermatitis in 12-month old infants in the blackcurrant seed oil group, compared to the placebo group (P=0.035; based on physician SCORAD atopic severity scores) 2. Results were no longer significant at the 24-month check-in. A possible explanation for this is that the diet at this age tends to be worse and the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio from diet becomes similar to the adult 2.
In conclusion, supplementing pregnant mothers, through exclusive breastfeed, then supplementing the infant when breastfeeding ceases, shows a decrease in atopic dermatitis at one year of life 2. This is the first large study of blackcurrant seed oil in pregnant and breastfeeding women. The blackcurrant seed oil was well tolerated by mothers and infants and researchers feel it can be considered for decreasing atopic dermatitis at an early age 2.
Source: Linnamaa, P., J. Savolainen, L. Koulu, S. Tuomasjukka, H. Kallio, B. Yang, T. Vahlberg, and Raija Tahvonen. “Blackcurrant seed oil for prevention of atopic dermatitis in newborns: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial.” Clinical & Experimental Allergy 40, no. 8 (2010): 1247-1255.
© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 40 : 1247–1255
Posted July 5, 2017.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Nutten S. Atopic dermatitis: global epidemiology and risk factors. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2015;66(Suppl. 1):8-16.
- Linnamaa P, Savolainen J, Koulu L, et al. Blackcurrant seed oil for prevention of atopic dermatitis in newborns: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 2010;40(8):1247-1255.
- Beasley R, of Asthma TIS. Worldwide variation in prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema: ISAAC. The Lancet. 1998;351(9111):1225-1232.
- Kankaanpää P, Nurmela K, Erkkilä A, et al. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in maternal diet, breast milk, and serum lipid fatty acids of infants in relation to atopy. Allergy. 2001;56(7):633-638.
- The British Nutritional Foundations Task Force. Unsaturated fatty acids: nutrition and physiological significance – the report of the British Nutrition Foundations Task Force. London: Chapman & Hall, 1992; 152-63.
