Study:flaxseed oil-evening primrose oil combination

Research from the Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis,shows that the flax-evening primrose oil combination may beparticularly beneficial in cases of psoriasis. Once formed in thebody, arachidonic acid is turned into another proinflammatorychemical, leukotriene B4, which is known to accumulate in thelesions of Psoriasis sufferers.

Eicosapentaenoic acid, a majorpolyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish oil (and that the body alsoproduces from the raw materials in flax oil), as well as gamma-linolenic acid, are both potent inhibitors of leukotriene B4generation. “It seems reasonable, therefore, that adequate dietarysupplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid or gamma-linolenicacid may offer a novel and nontoxic approach to suppressingcutaneous inflammatory disorders,” notes UC Davis researcher Dr.V.A. Ziboh.Another reason for using both flax and evening primrose oilstogether is that under the influence of omega-3 oils, the body is farmore likely to convert gamma-linolenic acid to favorableprostaglandins.Meanwhile, flax oil is rich in alpha-linoleic acid which alsoconverts to less inflammatory leukotrienes. Flax’s omega-3 fattyacids also inhibit the body’s production of inflammation-causingarachidonic acid, which is usually found in animal foods togetherwith saturated fat. By doing so, flax favorably inhibits the body’sconversion of arachidonic acid to pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.Many other studies support use of evening primrose oil forclearing up the skin of troubling conditions such as eczema andpsoriasis.We’ve recommended these same oils, flax, evening primroseand soy phytohormones for women in their thirties and forties andFeatured in the Health Perspectives and Drs. Prescription newsletters.and better for you. That’s why Barlean’s createdFresh ExPress, a common sense approach toproducing and distributing our products at theirabsolute peak of freshness and nutritional value.Made to order for your local health food store.

In a double-blind trial conducted by researchers associated with the Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Finland, patients with eczema received eitheroral evening primrose oil or placebo for 12 weeks. In the evening primrose oil group, a statistically significantimprovement was observed in the overall severity andgrade of inflammation and in the percentage of the body surface involved by eczema as well as in dryness and itch.The patients receiving evening primrose oil also showed asignificantly greater reduction in inflammation than thosereceiving placebo.In a study conducted by researchers at the Nutrition Research Center, University of Bologna, Italy, 24 childrenwith atopic eczema were treated with evening primrose oilor olive oil. After only four weeks, the eczema ofessential fatty acid-treated children significantly improvedin comparison with that of olive oil-treated children.Meanwhile, researchers from the Pediatric Clinic,Health Center, Gripen, Karlstad, Sweden, conducted adouble blind, placebo controlled, parallel group study thatincluded 60 children with dermatitis and the need forregular treatment with topical skin steroids. The childrencompleted a 16 week treatment period with either eveningprimrose oil or placebo capsules. The study demonstratedsignificant improvements of the eczema symptoms,” notethe researchers.who are experiencing perimenopause. But, for all women (not onlymembers of Generation X), another reason for using this formula isthat it combines flax with evening primrose oil. This combinationholds strong promise for beautifying women’s skin.How to Obtain Recommended FormulaOur recommended formula comes in both liquid and capsulesand is available at natural health centers nationwide. Be sure it’slabel lists all three ingredients that we have discussed: flax, eveningprimrose and soy isofavones.mes dailywith meals.References:1. Murray, M. & Pizzorno, J. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Rocklin, CA:Prima Publishing, 1998: 448-454, 763-769.2. footnote* Chapkin, et al. Biochem Biophis Res Com 1984; 124: 784-792.3. Kassis, et al. Arch Dermatol Res, 1983; 275: 9-13.4. Ziboh, V.A. “Implications of dietary oils and polyunsaturated fatty acids in themanagement of cutaneous disorders” Arch Dermatol, 1989; 125(2):241-5.5. Schalin-Karrila, M., et al. “Evening primrose oil in the treatment of atopiceczema: effect on clinical status, plasma phospholipid fatty acids and circulatingblood prostaglandins.” Br J Dermatol, 1987; 117(1):11-19.6. Bordoni, A., et al. “Evening primrose oil (Efamol) in the treatment of childrenwith atopic eczema” Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1988; 14(4):291-297.7. Hederos, C.A., et al. “Epogam evening primrose oil treatment in atopicdermatitis and asthma.” Arch Dis Child, 1996; 75(6):494-497.Featured in the Health Perspectives and Drs. Prescription newsletters.Lit-854567