Rich in essential fatty acids, both evening primrose oil and flaxseed oil have many health benefits, but are they natural weight loss aids? Primrose oil is rich in gamma linolenic acid, a type of omega-6 fatty acid. Flaxseed oil is a good source of the omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid. Find out about the possible connection between evening primrose and flaxseed oil and weight loss and decide for yourself the best way to lose weight naturally, safely, and effectively.
Healthy Weight Loss with Evening Primrose Oil Capsules
Can taking evening primrose oil capsules promote weight loss? If so, how? There are many benefits of adding this nutritional oil to your diet from relieving joint inflammation to treating the symptoms of PMS. It is one of the best sources of the omega-6 fatty acid, gamma linolenic acid, or GLA. It is the GLA content that may contribute to the weight loss properties of evening primrose oil.
There are two ways for the body to have gamma linolenic acid. First, it can be converted from linoleic acid (LA), which is found in many vegetable oils. When there is a deficiency of certain nutrients, including magnesium, zinc, and vitamin C or if the diet is high in saturated fat and hydrogenated oils then the body's ability to convert LA into GLA is impaired. This beneficial fatty acid can also come from food sources, including primrose oil, black currant seed oil, and borage seed oil.
How does gamma linolenic acid, and therefore evening primrose oil, encourage healthy weight loss? GLA is a source of cellular energy, helping the body burn fat rather than storing it. It acts to stimulate the body's ability to burn fat, particularly the fat known as brown adipose tissue.
Flaxseed Oil and Weight Loss
Taking evening primrose oil may promote weight loss because of the high content of an essential fatty acid which stimulates fat burning. Is flaxseed oil another natural supplement for weight loss? While this nutritional oil is very beneficial, being high in omega-3 fatty acids, it does not directly stimulate weight loss.
The omega-3 content does however lower cholesterol levels, improving cardiovascular well-being. Supplementing with flaxseed oil also increases energy levels, increases metabolism, and helps the body get rid of excess fluids, all factors that indirectly can encourage a healthy weight. While flaxseed oil may not be that effective for losing weight naturally, flaxseeds, which are high in fiber and plant lignans, are a great food to add to a diet for weight loss.
How to Lose Weight Naturally and Safely
Both evening primrose oil and flaxseed oil are beneficial for overall well-being because of their content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. While primrose oil can increase fat burning, adding supplements to your diet is only a small part of the puzzle of healthy eating and a healthy weight. The best way to safely and naturally lose weight is to eat a well balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and lean protein sources, to exercise, and to make wise lifestyle choices. Taking beneficial supplements such as primrose and flaxseed oil can be a part of a healthy diet, but neither is a magic solution for fast weight loss.
References
Balch, Phyllis A. "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Fourth Edition (Penguin Books, 2006).
Page, Linda. "Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone, 11th Edition" (Traditional Wisdom, 2003).
Brenna Coleman - Brenna is a freelance writer focusing on natural health and beauty. She has written hundreds of articles, helping readers find ways to ...
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