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Dietary hempseed oil improves clinical symptoms
of atopic dermatitis Finter 2008, Vol 4, Issue 13
Editor's note: Most of us are aware of the health benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids. To me, it is not a stretch to say that hempseeds are the perfect whole food source of omega oils. Give this review a read to learn more about the specific properties of this whole food and one of several clinical applications.
This featured research is among a number of emerging studies investigating the
potential health benefits and therapeutic applications of dietary hempseeds and/or
hempseed oil. Investigators of this study acknowledged the rich and balanced fatty
acid profile of hempseed oil, characterized by a very high concentration of polyunsaturated
fatty acids (PUFAs) (>80%) in a “metabolically favorable n-6/n-3 ratio of
approximately 2:1.” Callaway, et al, also note that hempseed oil contains gammalinolenic
acid (GLA, 18:3n6), which is a constituent in other oils that has been studied
in patients with atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema. Given this positive
anecdotal evidence and knowledge of the fatty acid composition of hempseed oil,
Callaway et al sought to investigate possible effects of hempseed oil in patients with
atopic dermatitis. Their investigation was a controlled, randomized single-blind
crossover study including a group of 20 patients with eczema.
The 20 patients with atopic dermatitis were randomly divided into two groups: one,
which would consume hempseed oil, and the other, olive oil. Unlike hempseed oil,
olive oil is a poor source of PUFAs and lacks GLA and stearidonic acid (SDA;
18:4n3); the latter is also found in hempseed oil. The study aimed to assess potential
effects on the following measures: plasma lipid profiles, transepidermal water
loss (TEWL), skin quality and dermal medication usage. The study consisted of two
8- week periods of consuming 30 ml (2 tbsp) of the assigned oil, with a 4-week washout
period in between. Both oils were cold pressed and bottled without additives.
Inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis for patients ranging in age
from 25-60. During the study and one month prior, patients were instructed to
avoid nutrient supplements and potentially confounding medications, and otherwise
continue other forms of medications and lifestyle habits.
Among the 20 test subjects, 16 completed the study. All lipid fractions showed a statistically
significant modification with hempseed oil, including increased levels of
GLA. Based on patient questionnaires, statistically significant decreases in skin
dryness and itchiness were observed with hempseed oil intervention, while no such
changes were observed with olive oil consumption. Likewise, a decrease in the use
of dermal medications was observed in only the hempseed oil intervention.
Callaway et al speculate that the apparent efficacy of hempseed oil may be consequent
to the high concentration of PUFAs. They also surmise that the presence of
GLA and SDA in hempseed oil allows a rate limiting enzymatic step in the human
metabolism to be bypassed, which could account for “the improvement of atopic
symptoms observed in the present study.” They conclude calling for further study
“to determine the value of regular use of dietary hempseed in the treatment of
atopic dermatitis.”
Study: Callaway, J., et al, J Dermatalog Treat, 16: 87-94, (2005) RETURN from hempseed oil and dermatitis |
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