Evening primrose oil with vitamin D improves insulin resistance and blood lipids in women with diabetes

Vitamin D and Evening Primrose Oil Administration Improve Glycemia and Lipid Profiles in Women with Gestational Diabetes. LiPIDS March 2016, Volume 51, Issue 3, pp 349–356

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the March 2016 issue of the respected journal LIPIDS examined the effect of evening primrose oil combined with vitamin D on insulin resistance measures and blood lipid levels in women with diabetes.

Sixty women with diabetes participated. Group A received 1000 IU vitamin D plus 1000 mg evening primrose oil; group B received placebo for six weeks.

Study results:

Compared with the placebo group, the vitamin D and evening primrose oil group showed reductions in fasting glucose, insulin resistance measures, triglycerides, VLDL and LDL. There were no significant changes in HDL levels in either group.

Conclusions:

The short duration of the study is insufficient for substantial results; nevertheless, reductions in blood lipids and glucose measures were observed over the brief period of a month and a half. The anti-inflammatory action of evening primrose oil and immune-modulating action of vitamin D demonstrated a reduction in measures associated with metabolic syndrome.

Both evening primrose oil and vitamin D have a high level of safety in long-term use, making longer studies of this kind necessary.

Publication in LIPIDS indicates the seriousness and potential of long-term research based on these ingredients.