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Evening
Primrose Oil--For the Active Lifestyle
by
Marian Brown
Reprinted from Holistic Health
News
Fatty acids,
essential fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids,
Linoleic acid (LA), Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) and
prostaglandins. If these “buzz” words leave your head
swimming you’re not alone. After the Food & Agriculture
Organization and World Health Organization released a
joint report addressing the role of dietary fats and
oils in nutrition, much attention has been given the
role these play in our health. The study recommended
that at least 3% of our daily calorie intake should be
in the form of these “essential fatty acids” (EFA), 5%
for children and pregnant/lactating mothers.
What are
essential fatty acids and what makes them so essential?
EFA’s play important roles in our body‘s overall health.
They are part of every cell and establish and control
the cellular metabolism. EFA’s are essential in four
primary body functions: 1) provide energy, 2) maintain
body temperature, 3) insulate our nerves, 4) cushion and
protect body tissues. Two key polyunsaturated fatty
acids (EFA’s) are Linoleic acid and Gamma-Linolenic
acid. LA is not produced by the body but must be
obtained through the dietary intake. LA acts as an
energy source and is what the body converts to GLA which
in turn forms other substances such as prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that are
found in every body cell. They are critical to the
body’s overall health maintenance, but need to be
replenished constantly as once they serve their purpose,
they are destroyed.
The purposes
of Prostaglandins include lowering blood pressure,
reducing risks of blood clotting, stimulating the immune
system, and regulating brain function. Animal studies at
the University of Pennsylvania have also shown them to
prevent arthritis. This is also being studied in humans
trials in Europe with similar results. The source of
EFA’s in these studies has been Evening Primrose Oil
It was once
believed that our diet would provide enough EFA’s but
due to processing methods, the LA’s structure is changed
( then called trans fatty acids). These fatty acids
actually block the normal conversion process. Our
western lifestyle--too much saturated fat and
cholesterol, processed vegetable oils, and alcohol--also
inhibits the normal conversion processes. These
blockages become even more dramatic with age, low
thyroid function, slower metabolism, infections,
disease, and dietary considerations such as zinc
deficiency.
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Evening Primrose Oil is a
natural, and the richest, source
of Gamma-Linolenic acid. It
contains about 72% Linoleic acid
and 9 percent GLA. Since it
contains the essential GLA,
evening primrose oil is highly
valuable to those who cannot
otherwise form enough GLA. This
would include those who do not
get enough essential fatty acids
in their diet, drink or have
drunk excessive amounts of
alcohol, have low thyroid
function, or have received
radiation treatment. The direct
source of GLA takes the pressure
off the body to produce the
necessary amount of GLA for
optimum health. |
Preliminary studies in Sweden
are relating Evening Primrose
Oil to an anti-oxidant in that
it also counter acts the
formation of free radicals. Free
radicals are most often
associated with the aging
process. Maintaining health is
just one of the benefits of
Evening Primrose Oil. It is also
being studied extensively in
England and Europe for its pain
reduction in association with
arthritis, controlling
complications of diabetes,
controlling liver and kidney
damage due to alcohol,
depression, Multiple sclerosis,
skin/hair/nail repair, and most
impressively, controlling sever
symptoms of PMS.
A
study at St. Thomas Hospital in
London found that when PMS
suffers were given evening
primrose oil three times daily,
67% of the participants were
symptom-free and 22% achieved
partial relief. (In all total,
89% had positive results with
the evening primrose oil.)
Although not as popular in the
United States, Evening Primrose
Oil is available at most health
food stores and nutrition
centers. And, as more studies
become available, we will find
why Evening Primrose Oil was
commonly called the “King’s Cure
All” in 17th Century England. |
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