Precursors Of Prostaglandins

Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances. It has now been established that they are produced from EFAs. They also help to regulate blood pressure, stimulate the immune system and maintain good cardiovascular function.

The Role Of EFAs In Disease Management

Dietary deficiency of EFAs results in altered membrane function, dermatosis, weight loss and eczema. Individual fatty acids have been used successfully in the management of a number of ailments. For example, supplementation with GLA has resulted in the successful treatment of eczema and other allergy-related disorders. Numerous studies are currently under way to evaluate the role of some of the individual polyunsaturated fatty acids in managing immune system-related disorders.

Evening primrose oil is an unassuming yellow flower that is known to possess remarkable health-giving properties because of the GLA content of its seeds. Most vegetable oils contain linoleic acid - an EFA. The normal diet is quite sufficient in it. However, before this EFA can be used by the body, it has to be converted via GLA to prostaglandin El. Unfortunately, this conversion is fraught with difficulties and can easily be blocked. Viruses, cholesterol, saturated fatty acids, alcohol, insufficient insulin, radiation, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and the ageing process all contribute to blocking or adversely affecting this conversion.

As evening primrose oil has an unusually high amount of GLA, it can potentially avoid all these blockages. Such a source of dietary GLA can therefore be extremely valuable. Further, if the body cannot make sufficient GILA and does not receive a dietary supply, then parts of the body system can be impaired. Evening primrose oil can help in conditions such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), eczema and rheumatoid arthritis, and in controlling levels of cholesterol. The list is by no means exhaustive, and new research is now suggesting that ME (chronic fatigue syndrome) sufferers may also benefit, and so may hyperactive children and alcoholics.

Eczema is thought to be specifically associated with a deficiency of the enzyme needed to form GLA from linoleic acid, so a direct supply of GLA can be very useful. Research suggests that a minimum of four 500 mg capsules daily for adults and two a day for children is needed to relieve itching, but eight to twelve 500 mg capsules a day for adults and four a day for children is probably required to reduce the overall severity of the disease.

Home Treatment

Helping the skin retain moisture is important to successful treatment.

• Take brief daily baths or showers with lukewarm (not hot) water. Use a gentle soap (Dove, OR of Olay, Neutrogena) or non soap cleanser (Cetaphil or Aveeno). If possible, bathe without soap.

• After bathing, pat skin dry and apply a lubricating cream (Lubriderm, Moisturel). The cream may help keep your skin from drying out Reapply cream often,

* Use a humidifier in the bedroom.

* An oral antihistamine (Benadryl) may help relieve itching and relax you enough to allow sleep. Avoid antihistamine and antiseptic creams and sprays, as they irritate the skin

While the primary cause of eczema is still unknown, dermatologists have long been aware of an association between diet and eczema. There is a number of studies that indicate that food allergy is an important predisposing factor. Other allergic disorders, such as asthma and hay fever, as well as emotional factors all have a part to play in the onset of eczema. Known culprits that may exacerbate eczema are cow's milk, eggs, wheat, fish and nuts. In many cases, exclusion of offending items from the diet will prevent eczema from flaring out of control. A diet diary may help identify suspect foods. However, comprehensive exclusion diets should only be carried out under professional supervision, especially in the case of children.

Most nutritionists agree that a whole food diet eliminating junk foods, artificial colorings and refined sugars, is likely to be beneficial. Saturated fats found in red meat, dairy products, eggs, biscuits and pastries should be avoided. If it can be tolerated, oily fish (trout, salmon, herring, mackerel and sardines) should be included in the diet, as should vegetable oils. The emphasis should be on fresh foods, including fruit and vegetables, nuts and pulses.

Supplementation

One safe dietary supplement that may be employed in the management of eczema is evening primrose oil. In order to understand why this is so one needs to look at the role of a special group of nutrients called essential fatty acids (EFAs).

The Role Of Essential Fatty Acids

The body needs fats to perform various metabolic functions. Some of these fats cannot be made by the body, so their presence in the diet is of the utmost importance ('essential'). Modern eating habits, food processing and intensive animal rearing practices result in a diet severely lacking in these essential fats. Patients with eczema, in common with other atopic conditions, appear to be deficient in EFAs.

There are two families of EFAs: one found mainly in seed oils, such as sunflower, borage and evening primrose oil, and the other found mainly in fish oils.

The polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid (LA) and gamma linolenic acid (GIA), found in seed oils, and eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA), found in fish oils, have a very important role to play in the body. However, their production is inhibited by factors such as age, diet and hormonal conditions.

Diets high in saturated fats, cholesterol and trans fatty acids reduce the body's ability to produce these polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Two Major Functions Of EFAs

Converting Nutrients Into Energy

All cell membranes contain fats which are important for maintaining the integrity of the membranes. The fats also provide sites in which many physiological processes take place. If there is a deficiency of EFAs, the process in which nutrients are converted into body energy becomes inefficient. This lack of energy leads to poor growth and an impairment of body function.