Fatty acids essential, evening primrose

The psychiatric community, the lay press, and ads on the Internet have drawn attention to the role of essential fatty acids (EFAs) on neural development and on the treatment of mental illness. The EFAs are often referred to as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and include fish oil, flax seed oil, and evening primrose oil supplements. 

Evening Primrose Oil (Oenof/iera biennis) Uses PMS, diabetic neuropathy, ADHD, IBS, RA, mastalgia Action Anti-inflammatory, antispas-modic, diuretic, sedative effects related to a high concentration of essential fatty acids esp GLA CLA their conversion into prostaglandins Available forms Caps, gel-caps, Liq dose depends on GLA content DM neuropathy 4000-6000 mg PO OD Eczema 4000 mg PO OD Mastalgia 3000 1000 mg PO -r doses PMS 2000-4000 mg PO OD RA Up to 5000 mg PO OD Notes/SE Indigestion, N, soft stools, flatulence, HA, anorexia, rash Contra Do not use PRG or lactation do not use persons w/ Sz disorders Interactions T Phenobarbital metabolism, i Sz threshold, T effects OF diuretics, sedatives EMS May take up to 4 mo for max effectiveness T risk of Szs... 

Evening primrose oil is rich in the essential fatty acid linoleic acid and its metabolite, y-linolenic acid. In the U.K., evening primrose oil preparations have received approval as medicines for the relief of atopic eczema and for the symptomatic treatment of breast pain. 

Evening primrose contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that supports the production of prostaglandins and thus helps maintain hormonal balance. It is approved in Britain to treat premenstrual syndrome. Native American women chewed evening primrose seeds to alleviate premenstrual and menstrual discomfort (see Chapter 59). 

Chapkin, R.S., Ziboh, V.A., and McCullough, J.L., Dietary influences of evening primrose oil and fish oil on the skin of essential fatty acid deficient guinea pigs, J. Nutr., 117, 1360, 1987. 

Singer, P., Moritz, V., Wirth, M., Berger, I. and Forster, D. (1990) Blood pressure and serum lipids from SHR after diets supplemented with evening primrose, sunflower seed or fish oil. Prostaglandins Leukotrienes Essential Fatty Acids, 40, 17-20. 

GLA (Gamma linoleic acid) An essential fatty acid that the body requires to be provided in the diet for the manufacture of important bodily chemicals such as hormones and participation in other beneficial reactions. Found in evening primrose, starflower, borage, blackcurrant seed and rosehip seed. 

Key Words Oenothera species oil of evening primrose essential fatty acids linoleic acid anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. 

Fang C. Jiang Z, Tomlinson DR. Expression of constitutive cyclo-oxygenase (COX-1) in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes effect of treatment with evening primrose oil or an aldose reductase inhibitoron COX-1 mRNA levels. Prostaglandins Leukofrienes Essential Fatty Acids 1997 56 157-163. 

Kuruvilla R, Peterson RG, Eichberg J. Evening primrose oil treatment corrects reduced conduction velocity but not depletion of arachidonic acid in nerve from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Prostaglandins Leukotrienes Essential Fatty Acids 1998 59 195-202. 

Crossential EPO. [Croda Inc.] Evening primrose oil contains essential fatty acids for skin care. 

Try to get most of your fat from healthy fat sources (olive oil, avocados) and essential fatty acids, such as fish oil, safflower oil, flax seed, borage or evening primrose oil, and nuts. 

Essential fatty acid levels and total fat content of breast milk was increased in women who took evening primrose oil during months 2 to 6 of lactation (Cant et al. 1991). 

Since the A -desaturase is beUeved to be the rate limiting step in the conversion of linoleic acid to arachidonic acid, efforts have been made to utilize the relatively high content (7%) of y-linolenic acid (18 3w6) in the evening primrose oil to influence the activity of the prostaglandin system. The essential fatty acid potency of y-linolenic acid is 50% greater than that of linoleic acid [424]. However, there is to date no evidence on the possible relationship between dietary intake of this acid and of levels of prostaglandins and prostaglandin metabolites metabolites in vivo. 

PUFAs are just as essential as vitamins, mineral salts and proteins. Omega-6 oils enhance the barrier function of the skin and are therefore ideal for cosmetic prodncts designed to combat dry and scaly skin. When applied topically, unsaturated fatty acids, as contained for example in borage and evening primrose oil (both especially rich in ganuna-Unolenic acid (GLA)), are characterized by many positive effects. 

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