Oil of Evening Primrose (CT–406)
Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis)
Evening primrose oil is an essential fatty acid (EFA).
Source: Plant.
Principal health related action: Anti-spasmodic. Foundation necessary to support female hormone system.
Suggested uses: Helpful in treating PMS and MS. Prevents heart disease, stroke and maintains healthy skin. Excellent source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and mixed tocopherols.
Caution: Overconsumption can result in oily skin. Should dry skin become oily as a result of supplements with Oil of Evening Primrose, simply reduce the dosage.
Primrose oil (also known as evening primrose oil) contains the highest amount of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) of any food substance. This fatty acid is known to help prevent hardening of the arteries, heart disease, premenstrual syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and high blood pressure. It relieves pain and inflammation; enhances the release of sex hormones, including estrogen and testosterone and in lowering cholesterol levels and is benficial for cirrhosis of the liver.
Many women have found that primrose oil supplements relieve unpleasant menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes. Because it promotes the production of estrogen, women suffering from breast cancer that is estrogen related, should avoid or limit their intake of primrose oil. Black currant seed oil is a good substitute.
Nature’s Flush – Brain Flush
Also known as niacin, nicotinic acid, niacinamide, nicotinamide, and vitamin B3.
Vitamin B3 is great against cholesterol. Water soluble. Needs water to be absorbed in the digestive tract. Measured in milligrams (mg).
Principle benefits: Niacin is necessary for the nervous system to function Properly, lowers triglycerides, synthesizes hormones.
Nutrients that maximize the amount the body can use: B complex (essential for proper functioning, B vitamins work synergistically and are more potent together than separately), B1, B2, C, phosphorous (essential for proper functioning.)
Note: The amino acid tryptophan helps the body produce vitamin B3 on its own. A deficiency of vitamins B1, B2, B6 will prevent this from happening.
Foods, drugs, nutrients and conditions that prevent the maximum utilization of this vitamin by the body: Alcohol, antibiotics, coffee, corn, estrogen, sleeping pills, excessive sugar and/or starch intake, sulfa drugs, tobacco, water.
Drugs that can cause vitamin B3 deficiency: Over-the-counter medications containing alcohol such as cough syrups and elixirs, (e.g. Nyquil). Caffeine and medicines containing caffeine. All forms of penicillin. Tobacco. Sulfa drugs.
Excellent natural sources: Avocados, brewer’s yeast, dates, desiccated liver, eggs, figs, fish, kidney, lean meats, legumes, milk, milk products, peanuts (roasted with skin), poultry (white meat), prunes, wheat germ, whole wheat products. One of the few vitamins that lose little potency with cooking and storing. Relatively stable in foods. Here are some foods and their approximate vitamin B3 content:
Rhubarb (cooked), 1 cup (250 ml) 80 mg.
Chicken (breast fried), ½ lb (230 g) 25 mg.
Peanuts (roasted with skin), 1 cup (250 ml) 40 mg.
Main body parts and systems that it benefits: Brain, cardiovascular system, liver nerves, skin, soft tissue, tongue, all bodily detox systems.
Main body functions it supports: Production of adrenal hormones, brain functioning, cancer prevention possibilities, cardiovascular system, circulation, cholesterol level reduction, cortisone production, energy production in conjunction with other B vitamins, growth, helpful for heart disease, improves circulation, maintains digestive system with hydrochloric acid production as well as normal secretion of bile and stomach fluids, insulin production – aids regulation of blood sugar levels, maintains nervous system, metabolism (carbohydrates, fats, proteins), sex hormone production (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), healthier looking skin, thyroxine production.
Symptoms of deficiency: Appetite loss, canker sores, depression, severe dermatitis (skin inflammations), diarrhea, fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbances, halitosis, headaches, indigestion, insomnia, muscular weakness, nausea, negative personality changes, nervous disorders, skin eruptions – skin that becomes sensitive to sunlight – offers an early indication of deficiency, the disease pellagra, whose symptoms include depression, diarrhea and dementia.
Helpful in treating these conditions: Acne, baldness, canker sores, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, depression, diarrhea, low energy, halitosis, high blood pressure, leg cramps, prevent or ease severity of migraine headaches, Meniere’s syndrome, reduces symptoms of vertigo, pellagra (symptoms include depression, diarrhea and dementia), poor circulation, stress, tinnitus, tooth decay, radiation detox, X-ray exposure, environmental pollutants, autointoxication, circulatory congestion, clogged arteries, skin detox, heavy metal toxicity, brain fog, mercury toxicity, medication detox.
Suggested dosage ranges: Teenagers, 10 mg; adults, 50-100 mg; and seniors, 100-150 mg. a day. While niacinamide and nicotinamide do not cause skin flushing, the niacin and niacinamide forms of B3 can. If taking niacin, you can minimize the flushing and itching effects by taking it on a full stomach or with an equal amount of inositol.
Toxicity: Practically non-toxic. Dosages above 100 mg. can cause side effects. Individual sensitivity may result in temporary skin flushing and itching. Antibiotics commonly increase the severity of flushing, but it is not cause for alarm. Prolonged use of any single B vitamin can cause an imbalance which creates a significant deficiency of other B vitamins.
Symptoms of toxic overload: None known in dosages of 2,000 milligrams or less. If a person has a history of duodenal or gastric ulcers, niacin can worsen the pre-existing condition. People with a liver disorder and on high dosage niacin therapy should be monitored by their doctor. Jaundice.
Note: Vitamin B3 can cause flushing and itching of the skin. This usually happens when taking it in the nicotinic acid form of niacin. Normally it takes about 20 to 30 minutes for this reaction to abate. Drink a glass of water, eat a meal, to help minimize these symptoms.
To produce cholesterol lowering results, with the minimum of side effects, the best combination is a chromium-niacin complex of 2 mg. niacin bound with 200 mcg of chromium.
Niacin detox is a naturopathic treatment that promotes detoxification by way of skin flushing.
A form of vitamin B3, niacin, it is a vasodilator, meaning it increases blood flow. It has properties that can help lower cholesterol levels; improve circulatory conditions; reduce high triglyceride, and high homocysteine levels. The net result is that it helps prevent heart disease and may improve memory. It offers all the benefits of niacin, without any of the side effects.
Caution: Persons with internal bleeding should not use inositol hexaniacinate.
Vitamin B6 – Pyridoxine
Water soluble. Needs water to be absorbed in the digestive tract. The body excretes it within eight hours after consumption. Like other B vitamins, it needs to be replaced by supplements or whole foods. Vitamin B6 is a part of a group of closely related substances, that function synergistically – pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine.
Nutrients that maximize the amount the body can use: B complex (essential for proper functioning). B vitamins work synergistically (that is, they are more potent together than separately). B1, B2, pantothenic acid, C, magnesium, potassium, linoleic acid, sodium.
Foods, drugs, nutrients and conditions that prevent the maximum utilization of this vitamin by the body: Alcohol, birth control pills, canning, coffee, excessive doses of choline taken over a long time periods, estrogen, exposure to radiation, food processing, freezing vegetables and fruits, heavy protein consumption, long storage, stewing or roasting of meats, water, tobacco.
Drugs that can cause vitamin B6 deficiency: Birth control pills (for example, Brevicon, Demulen, Enovid, Lo/Ovral, Norinyl, Ovral). Diantin. Synthetic estorgens. Meprednisone (Betapar). Penicillamine (Cuprimine). DES (Diethylstilbestrol). Inh and nydrazid (isoniazid). All forms of penicillin. Phenobarbital. Prednisone (e.g. Meticotrn, Prednisolone, Orasone).
Excellent natural sources: Blackstrap molasses, brewer’s yeast, cantaloupe, cabbage, desiccated liver, eggs, green leafy vegetables, lentils, meat, oats, organ meats – kidney and liver, peanuts, salt water fish, soy beans, unmilled rice, walnuts, wheat bran, wheat germ, whole grains. Here are some foods and their approximate vitamin B6 content:
Liver (beef), ¼ lb (115 g) 1 mg.
Prunes (cooked), 1 cup (250 ml) 2 mg.
Brown rice, 1 cup (250 ml) 2 mg.
Peas, 1 cup (250 ml) 2 mg.
Note: Dairy products are a poor source of B6.
Main body parts that it benefits: Blood, muscles, nerves, skin
Main body functions it supports: Antibody formation, asthma, critical for normal brain function, conversion of the essential amino acid tryptophan into niacin, diabetes – may decrease insulin requirements (watch for low blood sugar reactions), digestion (hydrochloric acid production), diuretic, female hormone production, red blood cell production, utilization of carbohydrates, fat and protein utilization (weight control), maintains sodium/potassium balance for the nerves, heart disease – helps prevent homocysteine accumulation, magnesium production, PMS, menopause, perimenopause, inhibits oxalate kidney stones, B12 absorption, immune system functioning, prevention of skin disorders, synthesis of anti-aging nucleic acids.
Symptoms of deficiency: Acne, anemia, arthritis, convulsions in babies, depression, dizziness, glossitis, hair loss, irritability, learning disabilities, seborrheic dermatitis, weakness.
Helpful in treating these condition: Atherosclerosis, baldness, carpal tunnel syndrome, cholesterol, cystitis, dandruff, dermatitis, depression, epilepsy, facial oiliness, glossitis, hypoglycemia, mental retardation, mouth sores and cracks, muscular disorders (calf tenderness, charley horse, leg cramps, migraines, night cramps, spasms, muscle weakness, hand numbness and some types of neuritis in the extremities), nausea in pregnancy, nervous disorders, overweight, post operative nausea, urination and dry mouth problems caused by tricyclic antidepressants, stress, sun sensitivity, water retention.
Toxicity: Symptoms of nerve toxicity can be caused by prolonged or daily dosages over 2,000 mg. (2 grams). Daily dosages over 500 mg. are not recommended except under your health care provider’s direction. When supplementing with vitamin B3 to correct a health condition, do so with the supervision of your naturally orientated health care practitioner or doctor. Prolonged use of any single B vitamin can cause an imbalance which creates a significant deficiency of other B vitamins.
Symptoms of toxic overload include: Night restlessness and dream recall that is too vivid.