Wizard of Vitamins

Evening Primrose Oil Vitamin

What is Evening Primrose Oil?

Evening primrose oil (EPO), comes from the seeds of the evening primrose plant. Like black currant seed oil and borage oil, EPO contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that the body converts to a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin E1 (PGE1).

Evening Primrose Oil in Diets

EPO is found primarily in supplements. Its presumed active ingredient, GLA, can also be found in black currant seed oil and borage oil supplements. However, it is not known whether the effects of these three oils in the body are the same.

Evening Primrose Oil Medicinal Treatments

Type 1 diabetes Type 2 diabetes Eczema Fibrocystic breast disease Osteoporosis (in combination with fish oil) Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Rheumatoid arthritis Skin ulcers Alcohol withdrawal Atherosclerosis Attention deficit disorder Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Intermittent claudication Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Multiple sclerosis Raynaud’s disease Scleroderma Sjogren’s syndrome Tardive dyskinesia

Known Consequences of Evening Primrose Oil Deficiency

Those with premenstrual syndrome, diabetes, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, eczema, and other skin conditions can have a metabolic block that interferes with the body’s ability to make GLA. In preliminary research, supplementation with EPO has helped people with these conditions. There is evidence that alcoholics may be deficient in GLA, and a double-blind study suggested that alcohol withdrawal may be facilitated with EPO supplementation. Many people in Western societies may be at least partially GLA-deficient as a result of aging, glucose intolerance, high dietary fat intake, and other problems. People with deficiencies would presumably benefit from supplemental GLA intake from EPO, black currant seed oil, or borage oil.

Evening Primrose Oil Recommended Dosages

Although many people may have inadequate levels of GLA, the optimal intake for this nutrient remains unknown. Researchers often use 3,000–6,000 mg of EPO per day, which provides approximately 270–540 mg of GLA.

Evening Primrose Oil Side Effects

EPO has been reported to exacerbate symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy, which can sometimes be mistaken for schizophrenia. Other nutrients are needed by the body, along with EPO, to make PGE1. Consequently, some experts suggest that magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, niacin, and vitamin B6 should be taken along with EPO. Certain medicines may interact with evening primrose oil. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.