Evening Primrose For Weight Loss

Excess weight is a major health concern in North America, because its prevalence is high and obesity is linked with complications like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, fatty liver, osteoarthritis, reproductive dysfunctions and psychological problems. As a result, there is an increased interest in using natural supplements for weight management. Based on current research, the benefits of using evening primrose oil as a weight loss agent is controversial. If you wish to lose weight and consider supplements, talk to your doctor first.

Identification

Evening primrose oil, which is derived from the seeds of the plant with the same name, is scientifically known as Oenothera biennis. The oil contains 70 percent linoleic acid, or LA , nine percent gamma linoleic acid, or GLA, and smaller amounts of oleic, palmitic and stearic acids, according to Heather Boom, PhD, author of " 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs." LA and GLA belong to a group of essential fatty acids called omega 6, and are considered important for health, especially for brain development and as anti-inflammatory agents.

Research

Evening primrose oil is a well researched supplement being evaluated for a variety of conditions, from eczema and heart disease to cancer. In relation to obesity, Heather Boom states that some research studies found evening primrose oil useful for managing obesity; however, other studies found no benefits of using this supplement to lose weight. The active ingredient in evening primrose oil that is responsible for anti-obesity effects appears to be GLA.

GLA was able to reduce weight regain in humans following major weight loss, according to a study conducted by MA Schrimer and SD Phinney from University of California, Davis. The study was published in June 2007 issue of "The Journal of Nutrition" and involved fifty obese women that consumed daily 890mg of GLA during the study.

Side Effects & Drug Interactions

Evening primrose oil is available as an oil or in capsules and is considered safe and well tolerated in recommended doses up to 8g a day. Side effects are rare and include mild digestive symptoms and headaches. Evening primrose oil or other omega-6 fatty acids should not be used if you suffer from seizure disorders or bleeding problems. Supplementation with evening primrose oil is considered safe during pregnancy. Evening primrose oil may interact with certain medications, such as non-inflammatory agents, blood thinners and drugs used in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Considerations

Consult a qualified healthcare professional to determine optimal dosage of evening primrose oil for your conditions. University of Maryland Medical Center suggests choosing a certified organic product that is also standardized and contains at least eight percent GLA.