Home > RESEARCH > Functional Foods > Dietary hempseed oil improves clinical symptoms of atopic dermatitis

Dietary hempseed oil improves clinical symptoms of atopic dermatitis   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)

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