Description

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil
The Evening Primrose is a plant (Oenothera biennis) and it has been commonly known as “tree primrose” and “sun drop”. It was often used for stomach and liver complaints, coughs and female disorders. Evening primrose oil is an oil rich in essential fatty acids; polyunsaturated fats that are as essential as vitamins and minerals for the maintenance of good health.

Many of us cannot convert LA to GLA efficiently. Dietary deficiencies( lack in adequate levels of vitamins B6 and B3, as well as magnesium and zinc), disease conditions, processed oils, trans fatty acids, heated oils, alcohol, aging, viral infections and sugar consumption block, slow down, or interfere with the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of LA to GLA. The result is that virtually all North Americans are deficient in GLA. Supplementing with evening primrose oil can enrich the body¹s GLA supply and restore the production of beneficial prostaglandins derived from GLA. Research completed over the last 20 years has confirmed that supplementation with evening primrose oil has beneficial effects in numerous diseases and conditions.

Evening Primrose Oil and Premenstrual Syndrome: PMS has been linked to excessive and incorrect prostaglandin production. Women with PMS may have a deficiency of prostaglandin E1 at the central nervous system and in other tissue such as breast tissue. Supplementing with GLA may raise the body’s production of this prostaglandin. The most popular and scientifically documented method is to supplement with GLA in the form of evening primrose oil. Rigorous scientific studies have shown that supplementing with evening primrose oil has a significant effect on symptoms of PMS. Evening primrose oil helps in improving premenstrual headaches, depression, irritability, and bloating. Evening primrose oil also dramatically relieves premenstrual breast pain and tenderness.

Evening Primrose Oil and Breast Health: The pain and tenderness associated with premenstrual breast pain and fibrocystic breasts has been alleviated with evening primrose oil in more than one scientific study. In 1985, when 291 women took three grams per day of evening primrose oil for three to six months, almost half of the 92 women with cyclic breast pain experienced improvement compared with one-fifth of the patients who received the placebo. In the course of treatment, it has been detected that women with breast pain have unusually low concentrations of GLA and metabolites from GLA. When patients receive supplements of evening primrose oil, the concentration of GLA metabolites increases and the concentration of saturated fats in the breast decreases. This may also have long term implications for prevention of breast diseases such as breast cancer.

Evening Primrose Oil and Pregnancy and Fetal Development: Essential fatty acids(EFA) have a unique role during pregnancy because of the rapid development of new cell growth, new tissues, and new organ systems in a developing fetus. Fetal development is associated with a high EFA requirement, and this supply is dependent on the amount and availability of EFAs from the mother. Prostaglandins are also involved in the development and clinical expression of pre-eclampsia (the simultaneous occurrence of the clinical triad of hypertension, edema and protein in the urine at any time during the course of the pregnancy). These prostaglandins are modulators of vascular smooth muscle tone and platelet aggregation (blood platelets sticking together). Pre-eclampsia is characterized by increased vasoconstriction, frequently associated with increased platelet aggregation, reduced uteroplacental blood flow, and premature delivery. In a placebo-controlled clinical trial, a group of pregnant women receiving a combination of evening primrose oil and fish had a significantly lower incidence of edema.

Evening Primrose Oil and Menopause: Evening primrose oil and other oils containing GLA are popularly consumed by women to decrease the symptoms of menopause. GLA in the form of evening primrose oil has been found to reduce the maximum number of night time flushes associated with menopause. Many other herbal supplements are available to relieve menopausal symptoms and these may be used in conjunction with EPO-1000 for greater benefit.

Evening Primrose Oil and Arthritis: Many studies on GLA have shown that individuals with rheumatoid arthritis experience significant improvements in their symptoms within the first six months of use. They also continue to improve by as much as 50 percent in the number of tender joints, 54 percent in the reduction of tender joints, and 42 percent in the reduction in swollen joints. Overall, morning stiffness can decrease on average by 67 percent, and pain can be reduced on average by 27 percent.13, 14 Studies using evening primrose oil also consistently show that individuals using 1.5 to 2.8 grams of GLA daily can reduce their use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

EPO-1000 and Diabetes: Diabetes is associated with abnormalities in essential fatty acid metabolism. One of these abnormalities is an impairment in the conversion of LA to GLA. By supplementing with GLA in the form of evening primrose oil, we can bypass this impairment and give the body the GLA it needs. Individuals with diabetic related neuropathies have been studied using GLA. Significant favourable changes have been observed in muscle strength, hot and cold thresholds, sensation, and reflexes

EPO-1000 and Heart Disease: High cholesterol: Although fish oils and flax oil have received considerable attention for their role in reducing heart disease due to their effects on blood lipids and blood pressure, we shouldn’t forget about the role of other essential fatty acids. For example, supplementing with 3 grams of GLA daily for four months has been shown to decrease triglyceride levels by 48 percent, increase HDL (“good” cholesterol) by 22 percent, and significantly reduce total cholesterol and LDL (“bad” cholesterol). We should always include Provita Nutrition evening primrose oil supplementation in our heart disease treatment and prevention plans in addition to other EFA oils.

High blood pressure: High blood pressure (a reading above 140/90) is another risk factor for heart disease. More than 60 double-blind studies have demonstrated that either fish oil supplements or flaxseed oil are effective in lowering blood pressure. Again, we would be wise not to forget about the potential of evening primrose oil in this regard. In a study combining provita nutrition evening primrose oil and fish oil supplementation, blood pressure was significantly lowered when compared to evening primrose oil plus sunflower and evening primrose oil plus flax oil.

EPO-1000 and Osteoporosis: It appears evident from the published research that we must expand our use of EFAs to maximize calcium metabolism and preserve bone health. There is a growing body of evidence and research to warrant advice about EFAs and calcium metabolism, bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis. EFAs have been shown to increase calcium absorption from the gut (in part by enhancing the effects of vitamin D), reduce urinary excretion of calcium, increase calcium that is deposited in the bone and improve the strength of bone. Adults with osteoporosis who are given fish oil show an increase in calcium levels and an increase in urinary calcium clearance. GLA in particular has been shown to reduce the excretion of calcium, inhibit bone reabsorption and markers of bone turnover while at the same time increasing the levels of calcium content in the bone.

Provita Nutrition Evening Primrose Oil Contains:

• Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera Biennis) ………………………500mg
• Containing: Minimum 10% Gamma Linolenic Acid
• Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) …………………….10.05 mg AT* (15 IU)
• *AT=Alpha-(a) Tocopherol

Provita Nutrition Evening Primrose Oil Highlights:

• Evening Primrose oil is used to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• 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
• Helps in treating eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and ulcerative colitis.

Provita Nutrition Evening Primrose Oil Dosage:

• Take 2 soft gel capsules 3 times per day with food or milk.

Provita Nutrition Evening Primrose Oil Cautions:

• Consult your health care practitioner before taking EPO-1000, especially if you are pregnant or nursing.
• Keep out of reach of children.