What type of oil is evening primrose oil

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

For a supplement, little scientific support. Researchers have reported that people with eczema do not have the normal ability to process fatty acids, which can result in a deficiency of gamma-linolenic acid GLA. Some, but not all, double-blind trials have shown that EPO is useful in the treatment of eczema. An analysis of nine trials reported that the effects for reduced itching were most striking.

Smaller amounts have been shown to lack efficacy. However, even these scientists had difficulty linking the improvement in lab tests with an actual reduction in symptoms. Nonetheless, most reports continue to show at least some reduction in symptoms resulting from EPO supplementation. Based on this research, many doctors recommend a trial of 3 grams per day of EPO for at least six months to alleviate symptoms of FBD. A preliminary trial found that elderly women with osteoporosis who were given 4 grams of fish oil per day for four months had improved calcium absorption and evidence of new bone formation.

Fish oil combined with evening primrose oil EPO may confer added benefits. In a controlled trial, women received 6 grams of a combination of EPO and fish oil, or a matching placebo, plus mg of calcium per day for three years. Women with PMS have been shown to have impaired conversion of linoleic acid an essential fatty acid to gamma linolenic acid GLA.

In several double-blind trials, EPO was found to be beneficial, whereas in other trials it was no more effective than placebo. Despite these conflicting results, some doctors consider EPO to be worth a try; the amount usually recommended is 3—4 grams per day. EPO may work best when used over several menstrual cycles and may be more helpful in women with PMS who also experience breast tenderness or fibrocystic breast disease. Oils containing the omega-6 fatty acid gamma linolenic acid GLA — borage oil, black currant seed oil, and evening primrose oil EPO —have been reported to be effective in the treatment for people with RA.

Although the best effects have been reported with use of borage oil, that may be because more GLA was used in borage oil trials 1. The results with EPO have been mixed and confusing, possibly because the placebo used in those trials olive oil may have anti-inflammatory activity. In a double-blind trial, positive results were seen when EPO was used in combination with fish oil. GLA appears to be effective because it is converted in part to prostaglandin E1, a hormone-like substance known to have anti-inflammatory activity.

A preliminary report suggested that evening primrose oil improves blood flow to the legs and heals or reduces the size of venous leg ulcers. No controlled research has further investigated this claim. In a double-blind study of alcoholics who were in a detoxification program, supplementation with 4 grams per day of evening primrose oil containing mg of GLA led to greater improvement than did placebo in some, but not all, parameters of liver function.

Though low levels 2 grams per day of evening primrose oil appear to be without action, 3—4 grams per day have lowered cholesterol in double-blind research. Lowering cholesterol levels should in turn reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Preliminary research shows that chondroitin sulfate may prevent atherosclerosis in animals and humans and may also prevent heart attacks in people who already have atherosclerosis. However, further research is needed to determine the value of chondroitin sulfate supplements for preventing or treating atherosclerosis.

A deficiency of several essential fatty acids has been observed in some children with ADHD compared with unaffected children. One study gave children with ADHD evening primrose oil supplements in an attempt to correct the problem. Although a degree of benefit was seen, results were not pronounced. In a week double-blind study, children with ADHD were given either a placebo or a fatty-acid supplement providing daily: mg of eicosapentaenoic acid EPA , mg of docosahexaenoic acid DHA , 96 mg of gamma-linolenic acid GLA , mg of linoleic acid, and 42 mg of arachidonic acid.

Compared with the placebo, the fatty-acid supplement produced significant improvements in both cognitive function and behavioral problems. No adverse effects were seen. In a preliminary trial, supplementation with approximately mg of flaxseed oil and 25 mg of vitamin C, each twice a day for three months, was associated with an improvement of symptoms in children with ADHD.

A greater intake of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils has been linked to reduced risk of COPD, though research has yet to investigate whether fish oil supplements would help people with COPD.

Compared with the placebo, the fatty acid supplement significantly improved exercise capacity. While two of the fatty acids supplied in this supplement EPA and DHA acid are found in fish oil, it is not known which components of the supplement were most responsible for the improvement. Gamma-linolenic acid is found in evening primrose oil , black currant seed oil, and borage oil; alpha-linolenic acid is found in flaxseed oil and other oils.

Caution: One study showed a slightly increased risk of vascular surgery among people with intermittent claudication who took beta-carotene supplements. Until more is known, people with intermittent claudication wishing to use beta-carotene supplements should first consult with their doctor.

In one trial, women with IBS who experienced worsening symptoms before and during their menstrual period were helped by taking enough evening primrose oil EPO to provide — mg of gamma linolenic acid GLA per day. In that trial more than half reported improvement with EPO, but none was helped in the placebo group.

The omega-6 fatty acids, found in such oils as evening primrose oil EPO and sunflower seed oil, also may be beneficial. In a review of three double-blind trials, two of the trials reported that linoleic acid reduced the severity and length of relapses.

When the data were re-examined, it was found that taking linoleic acid decreased disability due to MS in all three trials. According to these researchers, taking linoleic acid while following a diet low in animal fat and high in polyunsaturated fat may be even more beneficial.

Amounts used in these trials were approximately 17 to 23 grams of linoleic acid per day, provided by 26 to 35 grams of sunflower seed oil.

Fatty acids in evening primrose oil EPO inhibit the formation of biochemical messengers prostaglandins that promote blood vessel constriction. A double-blind trial of 21 people with Raynaud's disease found that, compared with placebo, supplementation with EPO reduced the number and severity of attacks despite the fact that blood flow did not appear to increase. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Evening primrose oil. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Accessed Aug. Evening primrose oil. Micromedex 2. Natural Medicines. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.

ART Home Evening primrose. Legal Conditions and Terms Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Advertising Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission.

Advertising and sponsorship policy Advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Sunflower oil and other oils generally used in normal diet contain only LA. No recommended safe doses have been found for the use in musculoskeletal conditions, but trials have used doses of 6 g mg GLA a day.

If taken in the correct dose, EPO has no major safety problems. In this trial, 49 people with rheumatoid arthritis who were on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs were randomised to take one of the following once a day for 12 months:. Participants were asked to take their normal dose of NSAIDs during the first three months of the trial but were advised to reduce or stop it depending on their symptoms afterwards. Researchers evaluated the outcome of 40 people with rheumatoid arthritis who received daily doses of either 6 g EPO mg GLA or olive oil for six months.

It causes joint pain and inflammation.