Evening Primrose Oil
Evening Primrose Oil (GLA)
Rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) that supports women's hormonal health, skin conditions, and inflammation.
Evening Primrose Oil is extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose plant and is one of the richest sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid. Unlike most omega-6s, GLA has anti-inflammatory effects. Research supports benefits for PMS, breast pain, eczema, and hormonal balance. A staple in women's health.
Mechanisms of Action
GLA to DGLA Conversion
GLA converts to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins
Skin Barrier Support
Supports healthy skin lipid composition
Recommended Dose
1000-3000mg (providing 80-240mg GLA)
Optimal Timing
- With meals containing fat
Take with food
Best Form
Softgels (cold-pressed oil)
Alternatives: Liquid oil
Look for cold-pressed oil. Keep refrigerated to prevent rancidity. Check GLA content.
Duration
Minimum: 8 weeks
Optimal: 12 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Take with food containing fat for best absorption. Can split into 2-3 doses.
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Reduced Breast Tenderness
Less cyclical breast pain
PMS Symptom Relief
Reduced PMS symptoms
Skin Improvement
Better skin hydration and eczema symptoms
Sometimes used near term to ripen cervix; consult doctor
Avoid or use with caution
Who Should NOT Take This
- Seizure disorders (may lower seizure threshold)
- Before surgery (stop 2 weeks prior)
Drug Interactions
May lower seizure threshold
May increase seizure risk
May have mild antiplatelet effects — may affect platelet aggregation or vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, altering anticoagulant efficacy
Possible Side Effects
Tip: Take with food
Tip: Usually resolves
Tip: Reduce dose
Warnings
- May lower seizure threshold — caution in epilepsy
- Stop 2 weeks before surgery
- Takes 2-3 cycles to see benefits for hormonal issues
Top studies from 40+ peer-reviewed papers
Langer G et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2024)
“The benefits of nutritional interventions with various compositions for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment are uncertain.”
Key Findings:
- Compared to standard diet, protein supplements may result in little to no difference in pressure ulcer incidence (protein 21 per 1000, standard diet 28 per 1000; RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.14; 4 studies, 4264 participants; low-certainty evidence).
- The evidence is very uncertain about the gastrointestinal side effects of these supplements (protein 109 per 1000, standard diet 155 per 1000; RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.06 to 7.96; 2 studies, 140 participants, very low-certainty evidence).
- Compared to standard diet, energy, protein and micronutrient supplements may slightly increase the number of healed pressure ulcers (energy, protein and micronutrients 366 per 1000, standard diet 253 per 1000; RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.85; 3 studies, 577 participants, low-certainty evidence).
- Compared to standard diet, supplements with arginine and micronutrients may not increase the number of healed pressure ulcers, but the evidence suggests a slight reduction in pressure ulcer area (MD 15.8% lower, 95% CI 25.11 lower to 6.48 lower; 2 studies, 231 participants, low-certainty evidence).
Soares-Weiser K et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018)
“This review has found that the use of valbenazine or extract of Ginkgo biloba may be effective in relieving the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.”
Key Findings:
- Studies were primarily of short (three to six6 weeks) duration with small samples size (10 to 157 participants), and most (61%) were published more than 20 years ago.
- Two studies found moderate-quality evidence of a benefit of the intervention compared with placebo: valbenazine (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.86, 1 RCT, n = 92) and extract of Ginkgo biloba (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.96, 1 RCT, n = 157), respectively.
- This review has found that the use of valbenazine or extract of Ginkgo biloba may be effective in relieving the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
- However, since only one RCT has investigated each one of these compounds, we are awaiting results from ongoing trials to confirm these results.
Bamford JT et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2013)
“With regard to the risk of bias, the majority of studies were of low risk of bias; we judged 67% of the included studies as having low risk of bias for random sequence generation; 44%, for allocation concealment; 59%, for blinding; and 37%, for other biases.”
Key Findings:
- With regard to the risk of bias, the majority of studies were of low risk of bias; we judged 67% of the included studies as having low risk of bias for random sequence generation; 44%, for allocation concealment; 59%, for blinding; and 37%, for other biases.
- Published in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2013)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Conte F et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2023)
“With this systematic review we aim to raise awareness about the cardiac presentations in carbohydrate-linked IMDs and draw attention to carbohydrate-linked pathogenic mechanisms that may underlie cardiac complications.”
Key Findings:
- Considering the pivotal role of sugar metabolism in cardiac tissue, including energy production, nucleic acid synthesis and glycosylation, it is not surprising that an increasing number of IMDs linked to carbohydrate metabolism are described with cardiac manifestations.
- In this systematic review, we offer a comprehensive overview of IMDs linked to carbohydrate metabolism presenting that present with cardiomyopathies, arrhythmogenic disorders and/or structural cardiac defects.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Yang X et al. • Alternative therapies in health and medicine (2023)
“ER can exert varying degrees of positive effects on OA and can effectively ameliorate the pathological process in OA patients, and it may become an alternative for OA treatment in the future, providing patients with better health and life quality.”
Key Findings:
- ER can exert varying degrees of positive effects on OA and can effectively ameliorate the pathological process in OA patients, and it may become an alternative for OA treatment in the future, providing patients with better health and life quality.
- Published in Alternative therapies in health and medicine (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Study Type Distribution
Goals This Supplement Supports
Related Goals
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement.