Evening Primrose Oil & Flaxseed Oil Benefits

Skin Condition

Evening primrose oil may help treat a chronic skin condition known as atopic dermatitis in which impaired fat metabolism leads to inflammation, according to a study published in the September 2008 issue of the "Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy." In the study, participants with atopic dermatitis took 500 milligrams of evening primrose oil per day for five months. After the first month, 96 percent of participants experienced improvement in symptoms such as itching, skin dryness and area of skin affected. No adverse effects were reported.

Neuropathy

Evening primrose oil may offer benefits for relief of diabetic neuropathy, a painful degenerative nerve condition associated with diabetes, according to Jeffrey I. Mechanik, coeditor of the book "Nutritional Strategies for the Diabetic/Prediabetic Patient." Omega-6 fatty acids in evening primrose oil are necessary for production of nerve cell membranes and myelin, the fatty substance that covers and insulates nerve cells. A laboratory animal study published in the August 2012 issue of the journal "Ultrastructural Pathology" found that two weeks of supplementation with evening primrose oil reduced nerve damage and improved pancreatic health.

Heart Health

Your heart will thank you for including flaxseed oil in your diet for its ability to thin the blood, decrease inflammation and reduce the risk of irregular heartbeat, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A laboratory animal study published in the October 2012 issue of the journal "Lipids in Health and Disease" found that a combination of exercise and flaxseed oil increased levels of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, the good form of cholesterol, and an antioxidant that guards against arterial plaque formation. Another study published in the August 2012 issue of the journal "Cytokine" found that flaxseed oil supplementation decreased inflammation and prevented arterial plaque formation in laboratory animals.

Antimicrobial Effects

Lignins, a group of phytoestrogens in flaxseed oil, provide antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer properties, according to the University of Dayton. A study published in the December 2007 issue of the journal "Ophthalmology" found that flaxseed oil reduced inflammation and assisted in the healing of chronic eye infections in children. Researchers concluded that flaxseed oil may offer a safe alternative to long-term antibiotics for some infectious conditions.

Considerations

Omega-6 fatty acids in evening primrose oil may promote seizures in some people and should not be used if you have a history of seizure disorder. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, consult your doctor before using evening primrose oil. Both oils have blood-thinning effects and shouldn't be used if you are prone to bleeding problems or have a blood disorder. Flaxseed oil and other omega-3 fatty acids can raise fasting blood sugar levels. If you take blood sugar-regulating medications, consult your doctor about using flaxseed oil.