Evening primrose oil is used to enhance the
availability of GLA (omega-6 gamma-linolenic acid)in the body. GLA is the
first derivative of the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid, the
starting point of the omega-6 cascade. Some people have difficulty making
this first
derivative, and develop symptoms of GLA deficiency.(1)
Diabetic use in particular is worth noting, since they are unable to
derive GLA from
dietary linoleic acid.(1) For diabetics using evening primrose oil has
been showed an improvement in nerve function and prevention of
neuropathy.(4)
It is used for Sjogren's syndrome, atopic eczema, PMS, and some cases of
arthritis.(3)
Evening Primrose oil is used to treat premenstrual
syndrome (PMS), demonstrating meaningful benefits in up to 90% of users,
helps to lower risk for or manage arthritis, helps in diabetic neuropathy,
improves hair, nails and skin, lowers the risk for stroke and heart attack
by lowering platelet stickiness and inappropriate blood
clotting.(3)
Relationship Between The Omega-6 And Omega-3
Essential Fatty Acid
The flow chart below illustrates how the
two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, become the
precursors of the three series of eicosanoids. Each of these three
eicosanoid series, give rise to their own unique versions of the
prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes. Series 1 and 3 eicosanoids
generally work in tandem to compete or oppose Series 2 eicosanoids. Much
of metabolism's fine control revolves around appropriate balance between
these three series of eicosanoids.
From the flow chart, GLA can be seen as the first
derivative from linoleic acid on the omega-6 side. The optimal dietary
ratio between omega-6 linoleic acid and omega-3 linolenic acid is thought
to be 4:1, in favor of omega-6.2 Omega-6 is supplied in all of the common
oils consumed in North America, while omega-3 is supplied only in canola,
soy, and flaxseed oils.
Unfortunately, the ratio for most people
in North America is closer to 10-20:1 in favor of omega-6. This situation
is now recognized to be a major contributing factor in the leading health
problems that plague North America, due to the dominance of Series 2
eicosanoids coming from arachidonic acid, the so called "bad"
prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes.(2,3) In many cases,
omega-6 Evening Primrose oil is being use when there is already an omega-6
overload in tissue phospholipids, from which the eicosanoids are
synthesized.(3) Adding flaxseed oil to the diet is a good way to
approximate balance by enhancing the presence of linolenic acid in the
phospholipid fatty acid tails. Flaxseed oil is 58 percent omega-3
linolenic acid.
Evening Primrose oil is a very popular nutritional
supplement, and especially for premenstrual
syndrome and it works well there. The concern is that clinically important
imbalance
can develop in the recommended 4:1 ratio between the essential fatty acids
if omega-
3 alpha-linolenic is not also added to the treatment plan. Given the
dietary prevalence of
omega-6 oils, as in corn, safflower, sesame, peanut, and sunflower oils,
which contain no
omega-3 fatty acid, it is questionable to add Evening Primrose
indefinitely without also
supplementing with flaxseed oil as well. A suggested ratio recommendation
is to use one part
flaxseed oil for each part of Evening Primrose oil already
taken.(1-3)
People with diabetes cannot synthesize GLA easily, so their production of
both Series1
and Series 2 eicosanoids will suffer. By adding GLA to their diet as a
supplement, this
metabolic problem can be minimized. An optimal level of GLA in the
diabetes management
of complications lowers the risk of neuropathy or ameliorates the
complication.(1)
Vitamin E should be taken when oil supplements are
used, in order to reduce the risk of
peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids.
Evening Primrose oil, flaxseed oil, and vitamin E are natural blood
thinners. Those taking
pharmaceutical blood thinners or ASA frequently should discuss
supplementation with
their physician for dosage advice.
Diabetics using Evening Primrose oil may experience better blood sugar
control that gradually
reduces their insulin requirement, and should be aware of any changes to
avoid
hypoglycemic episodes.
Evening Primrose Oil is not associated with any adverse
effects.(5) However, it is a source of
gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, and therefore should be
balanced with an
omega-3 source, like flaxseed oil. North Americans consume too much
omega-6 polyunsaturated
vegetable oil in relationship to omega-3, and the GLA could be adding to
the imbalance.(1)
1. Murray, Michael T., Encyclopedia of Nutritional
Supplementation, Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA, 1996
2. Simopoulos, Artemis P., Robinson, Jo, The Omega Plan, HarperCollins
Publishers, New York, 1998
3. Erasmus, Udo, FatsThat Heal Fats That Kill, Alive Books, Burnaby, BC,
1993
4. Horrobin, D.F., "Fatty acid metabolism in health and disease: The role
of delta-6-desaturase", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 57(Suppl):
732s- 736s, 1993
5. Whitaker, Julian, Dr Whitaker's Guide to Natural Healing, Prima
Publishing, Rocklin, CA, 1995
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
