Super Bowl Flower

It used to be that fatty fish were the only known food sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Over the past several years, researchers have discovered a number of plant sources of this important nutrient, allowing vegetarians to obtain their daily dose of these healthy fats. One of these plant sources is the evening primrose plant. Its name comes from the fact that its yellow flowers open only during the evening. These yellow flowers are where the plant stores its omega-6 fats.

Normally, nutritionists suggest cutting down on foods with trans-fats and omega-6 fats if you are trying to increase the omega-3 levels in your body. Omega-3 fats have anti-inflammatory properties that can treat a number of conditions like eczema, asthma, arthritis, as well as psychological conditions like dementia, depression, and ADHD. The reason why omega-6 fats are generally avoided is because they contain certain properties that inhibit the anti-inflammatory effect of omega-3s. As it stands, there are already too many omega-6 fatty acids in the typical modern diet- vegetable oil is one common food source of omega-6 fats.

Although evening primrose oil has high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, it contains a different kind of omega-6 called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is the only omega-6 fat that can maintain the homeostasis of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Together with the long-chain omega-3 fats called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), GLA can reduce the effects of pro-inflammatory substances while promoting the positive effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the body.

Like omega-3 fish oil supplements, not all evening primrose oil products are created equally. Conventional evening primrose oil preparations may have been contaminated by other substances or refined using harsh methods. Choose only virgin or extra virgin primrose oil manufactured using cold-pressed, non-raffinated techniques. These quality products are more likely to provide the health benefits of GLA better than other commercially available evening primrose oil preparations.

Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program . He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about .