Black currant (Ribes nigrum) seed oil contains alpha and gamma-linolenic acid, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidin, flavonoids, vitamin C, and 2 nitrile-containing compounds. It is generally well tolerated. Some evidence exists that indicated supplementation of mothers with black currant seed oil during pregnancy and exclusive breastfeeding decreases the rate of atopic dermatitis in breastfed infants.[1] Heating breastmilk to 63.5 degrees C reduces the concentration of linolenic acid by about 22%. Freezing milk at -20 degrees C and thawing more than once decreases linolenic acid concentration by an average of 63%.[2]
Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products. More detailed information about dietary supplements is available elsewhere on the LactMed Web site.