Is Black Currant Seed Oil safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Black Currant Seed Oil. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
In one study, supplementation of mothers with GLA had no effect on the development of atopic dermatitis in their breastfed infants.[ 3 ] Nursing mothers were randomly selected from a larger blinded study comparing black currant seed oil (containing 48% linoleic acid, alpha-linoleic acid 13%, gamma linoleic acid 14%; Aromtech Ltd, Tornio, Finland) 3 grams daily to olive oil 3 grams daily as a placebo. Intake started between the 8th and 16th week of pregnancy and continuing postpartum until the end of exclusive breastfeeding. The selected mothers consisted of 31 who received black current seed oil and 30 who received placebo. Exclusive breastfeeding lasted 3.9 months in the black currant seed oil group and 4.2 months in the control group. Breastmilk levels of interleukins 4, 5, 10 and 12 were lower and levels of interferon-gamma were higher in the black current seed oil group. No difference was found in breastmilk levels of tumor necrosis factor. Mothers of children who developed atopic dermatitis by the age of 12 months had lower levels of IFN-gamma in their breastmilk.[ 1 , 4 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date. Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Source: NIH LactMed (National Library of Medicine).
Educational summary of an authoritative source — not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine while breastfeeding without confirming with your doctor.