NOW Foods BORAGE OIL 1000mg: Pure, Expeller-Pressed Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) for Skin Barrier Hydration & Joint Comfort
Item SKU: N1722 | Size: 120 Softgels (1,000 mg per softgel) | Standardized to 240 mg Active GLA (24%)
If you struggle with persistent dry, flaky skin that lotions cannot soothe, or joint stiffness that makes morning movement uncomfortable, your body may be facing an internal fatty acid bottleneck. While standard dietary fats are easy to come by, Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) is an essential omega-6 building block that is remarkably rare in ordinary food.
NOW BORAGE OIL 1000mg provides nature’s most concentrated plant source of GLA. Each single softgel delivers a full 1,000 mg of unrefined, expeller-pressed borage seed oil (Borago officinalis) yielding 240 mg of bioactive GLA—delivering more than double the GLA potency of typical evening primrose oil.
Quick Facts & Quality Highlights
✓Ultra-High GLA Potency: 240 mg active GLA per softgel (roughly equivalent to 5 evening primrose softgels).
✓100% Expeller-Pressed & Hexane-Free: Extracted purely through mechanical pressing without harmful petroleum solvents.
✓Certified PA-Free: Verified in ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs to contain no dangerous pyrrolizidine alkaloids, protecting your liver.
✓Backed by VitaNet®, LLC: Family-owned since 1995 with a 100% unconditional money-back guarantee.
The Science of GLA: Why Borage Oil Solves the Body’s "Fatty Acid Bottleneck"
Many people assume all omega-6 fatty acids promote inflammation. In reality, GLA acts in the exact opposite manner. To understand why BORAGE OIL 1000mg is so effective, it helps to understand how your body processes fats in simple terms:
When you eat common vegetable oils containing standard linoleic acid (LA), your liver must use a specific helper enzyme called Delta-6-Desaturase (D6D) to convert that fat into beneficial GLA. From GLA, your body produces Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), which generates Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and 15-HETrE—two of your body's most effective internal soothing and anti-inflammatory chemical messengers (Fan & Chapkin, Journal of Nutrition, 1998).
The Problem: The D6D enzyme is a major biological bottleneck. Normal aging, high stress, refined carbohydrates, viral challenges, elevated alcohol consumption, and metabolic imbalances significantly slow down D6D. When D6D slows down, your skin, joints, and hormone pathways become starved of calming PGE1.
The Solution: Taking a supplemental borage seed oil supplies pre-formed GLA directly. It bypasses the slow enzyme gate completely, rapidly boosting your cellular levels of DGLA and soothing tissues from within.
Borage Oil vs. Evening Primrose Oil vs. Black Currant Oil
Not all GLA plant sources are equal. Borage seed oil offers the highest natural GLA concentration on the planet:
Plant Oil Source
Typical GLA Concentration
GLA Yield per 1000 mg Softgel
Capsules Needed for 240 mg GLA
NOW Borage Seed Oil (1000mg)
24%
240 mg
Just 1 Softgel
Black Currant Seed Oil
15% – 17%
150 mg – 170 mg
1.5 to 2 Softgels
Evening Primrose Oil (EPO)
8% – 10%
80 mg – 100 mg
Up to 3 to 5 Softgels
Clinically Supported Health Benefits & Research Citations
Because BORAGE OIL 1000mg operates directly upon cellular lipid membranes and cellular messenger pathways, clinical trials have documented profound benefits in three primary areas:
1. Restoring the Skin Moisture Barrier & Reducing Water Loss
Unlike external moisturizers that sit on top of dead skin cells, dietary borage oil incorporates into the deepest layers of the epidermis. Human skin cells cannot produce GLA on their own; they rely completely on systemic blood delivery.
In a randomized clinical trial published in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, researchers evaluated borage oil supplementation in older adults suffering from severely dry, itchy skin. Within weeks of daily oral intake, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) decreased significantly, skin barrier integrity was restored, and dryness, flaking, and itching cleared substantially (Brosche T, Platt D., Arch Gerontol Geriatr, 2000; PMID: 10817812).
Joint cartilage and synovial membranes are highly sensitive to pro-inflammatory chemical cascades. By boosting DGLA, borage oil directly suppresses the formation of inflammatory leukotrienes that contribute to swollen, painful joints.
In a landmark double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, patients receiving high-potency GLA from borage seed oil showed statistically significant reductions in joint tenderness count by 36%, swollen joint score by 28%, and morning stiffness, while the placebo group experienced no meaningful change (Zurier RB, et al., Arthritis & Rheumatism, 1996; PMID: 8905332). Additional clinical research demonstrated that ongoing borage oil supplementation helped patients reduce their reliance on conventional NSAID pain relievers (Kumar P, et al., J Complement Integr Med, 2008).
3. Hormonal Comfort & Premenstrual Support
Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle or perimenopause can trigger breast tenderness, water retention, and irritability. GLA-derived prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) helps buffer cellular sensitivity to prolactin and reproductive hormones, supporting physical ease throughout monthly cycles.
NOW Brand Lab Testing: Uncompromising Purity & Contaminant Screening
Not all borage oil on the market is safe. When purchasing botanical oils, consumer trust hinges on verifiable laboratory validation. NOW Foods operates one of the most advanced analytical testing complexes in the entire natural products industry, employing more than 160 chemists, microbiologists, and laboratory technicians who perform over 37,000 rigorous quality tests each month.
The Critical Contaminant: Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid (PA) Elimination
The green vegetative leaves and stems of the borage plant naturally produce defensive chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). If ingested regularly, unpurified PAs can accumulate and cause serious liver toxicity (hepatic veno-occlusive disease). NOW extracts oil strictly from mature seeds—which contain negligible levels—and then screens every batch using ultra-sensitive Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). NOW certifies that its Borage Oil contains no harmful levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, guaranteeing full liver safety.
NOW’s Multi-Tiered Contaminant Constraints:
Expeller-Pressed & Hexane-Free: Many cheap commercial seed oils use hexane (a harsh neurotoxic petroleum byproduct) to maximize extraction yield. NOW extracts borage oil using clean mechanical expeller pressing, keeping the oil 100% hexane-free and unrefined.
Heavy Metal Screening via ICP-MS: Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, NOW tests every batch down to parts-per-billion (ppb) limits for lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic, meeting and exceeding strict California Prop 65 standards.
Oxidative Freshness Standards: Polyunsaturated oils spoil and oxidize easily if mishandled. NOW strictly monitors the Peroxide Value (PV), p-Anisidine Value (p-AV), and Acid Value to confirm that no rancid fats enter your softgels.
ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Laboratories: NOW's in-house testing facilities maintain formal ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, ensuring that testing methods, calibration, and analyst proficiencies match university-level research standards.
Complete Ingredient Listing & Supplement Facts
Double-checked against official manufacturer specifications (NOW SKU 1722 / UPC 733739017222) for complete label transparency:
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Softgel
Servings Per Container: 120
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Calories
10
Total Fat
1 g (1%*)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.6 g †
Borage Oil (Borago officinalis) (Seed)
1 g (1,000 mg) †
Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)
240 mg †
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
† Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: Softgel Capsule [bovine gelatin (BSE-free), glycerin, water].
Allergen Free From: Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, milk, egg, fish, or shellfish ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Practical Dosage, Administration & The "Omega Synergy Stack"
To achieve optimal task completion and avoid common supplement mistakes, follow these practical usage recommendations based on nutritional pharmacology:
Suggested Everyday Usage
Take 1 softgel 1 to 2 times daily, preferably with a fat-containing meal. Ingesting borage oil alongside dietary fats stimulates the release of bile salts and pancreatic lipases, maximizing intestinal absorption and preventing mild stomach fullness or burping.
Pro-Tip: The "GLA + Omega-3 EPA" Synergy Stack
While GLA forms Series-1 prostaglandins (PGE1), marine fish oil rich in EPA forms Series-3 prostaglandins (PGE3). Research shows that taking NOW Borage Oil 1000mg alongside an Omega-3 Fish Oil creates a dual-pathway anti-inflammatory effect. The EPA also prevents any excess GLA from converting into arachidonic acid, locking in pure systemic soothing for joints and skin.
Storage Instructions
Keep the bottle securely capped in a cool, dry, dark pantry or medicine cabinet after opening. Keep away from direct sunlight, radiant heat, or high humidity (do not store in a steamy bathroom).
Important Safety Considerations, Edge Cases & Contraindications
Dietary supplements carry physiological effects. Honest, high-quality guidance requires highlighting who should exercise caution or avoid this product:
Pregnancy and Nursing: Do not use borage oil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. GLA can affect uterine tone, and safety during pregnancy has not been established.
Bleeding Disorders & Anticoagulant Medications: GLA has mild anti-platelet properties that thin the blood slightly. If you take prescription blood thinners (Warfarin, Eliquis, Plavix) or frequent high-dose NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Aspirin), consult your prescribing physician before using borage oil.
Upcoming Surgery: Discontinue taking borage oil at least two weeks before any scheduled surgical or dental procedure to minimize bleeding risks.
Seizure Disorders: High doses of evening primrose and borage oils have been reported in rare clinical literature to interact with phenothiazine anticonvulsant medications. Consult your neurologist if you have a history of epilepsy.
Why Order NOW Borage Oil from VitaNet®, LLC?
When you buy nutritional supplements online, sourcing integrity matters. Big marketplace websites often fulfill items through unverified third-party sellers whose bottles sit in non-climate-controlled warehouses for months.
✓Independent Heritage Since 1995: VitaNet, LLC is an independent, family-owned discount vitamin and supplement retailer operating for more than 31 years[cite: 1].
✓Verifiable Brick-and-Mortar Store: We operate our retail store at 887 Edison Street Northwest, Hartville, Ohio 44632, where customers can shop in person or call us directly at (330) 877-8786[cite: 1].
✓100% Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee: We offer a 100% money-back guarantee on all products, and we even pay return shipping on opened items if you are not completely satisfied[cite: 1].
✓Fresh Inventory Directly from NOW: We source inventory directly from reputable manufacturers like NOW Foods, ensuring optimal freshness, active shelf life, and proper temperature storage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the main difference between Borage Oil and Evening Primrose Oil?
The main difference is potency. Evening primrose oil contains approximately 8% to 10% GLA, whereas borage seed oil contains 20% to 24% GLA. One single softgel of NOW Borage Oil 1000mg delivers 240 mg of GLA. To get that exact amount from evening primrose oil, you would have to swallow 3 to 5 large softgels.
Q2: Does NOW Borage Oil contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) that harm the liver?
No. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) occur primarily in the leaves and stems of the borage plant, not the seeds. NOW extracts its oil exclusively from seeds and tests every finished production batch using highly sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to certify that it contains no detectable or harmful levels of PAs.
Q3: If Borage Oil is an Omega-6, why doesn't it cause inflammation?
Most inflammatory omega-6 concerns relate to excess arachidonic acid (AA). GLA is biologically unique. When consumed, GLA quickly converts into dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), which stimulates the production of Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and 15-HETrE. These two compounds actively block inflammatory pathways and promote cellular soothing.
Q4: How long does it take to see results for skin hydration and joint comfort?
Because borage oil works by incorporating itself into cell membranes, visible improvements take time. For skin barrier hydration and reduced dryness, clinical trials show significant changes within 4 to 8 weeks. For joint comfort and morning flexibility, noticeable benefits typically become apparent after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent daily supplementation.
Q5: Can I take NOW Borage Oil together with fish oil?
Yes, combining borage oil with fish oil is highly recommended. EPA and DHA from fish oil enhance Series-3 prostaglandins (PGE3), while GLA from borage oil enhances Series-1 prostaglandins (PGE1). Together, they provide broad, synergistic support for your heart, joints, and skin barrier.
Q6: Are there any common side effects?
Borage oil is very well-tolerated. Rare side effects may include mild gastrointestinal upset, soft stools, or mild nausea if taken on an empty stomach. Taking your softgel with a meal completely prevents these issues.
Ready to Restore Your Skin Barrier and Support Joint Mobility?
Experience the concentrated power of 240 mg active GLA. Order your fresh bottle of NOW BORAGE OIL 1000mg today from VitaNet®, LLC—backed by 31+ years of trusted service and an unconditional 100% money-back guarantee[cite: 1].
SKU: NOW N1722 | 120 Softgels | In Stock & Ready to Ship
