In diabetics there is something wrong with the way essential fatty acids are metabolized because of the inhibition of a key enzyme – the delta-6-desaturase (D6D). In fact, diabetes is one of the most important known inhibitors of D6D in both animals and in man. Diabetics have low levels of essential fatty acid derivatives in their blood.
The defect in this enzyme puts a spanner in the works at the first step of the conversion process of linoleic acid to gammalinolenic acid. Diabetics have significantly reduced levels of essential fatty acids in their blood.
Evening primrose oil deftly by-passes this enzyme by starting at the next stage of the conversion process.
Some linoleic acid can get through this blockade, but it does mean taking four times the normal amount to have a good effect. This was proved by the Dutch study on diabetic retinopathy. However, because evening primrose oil does not need to blast its way through any blockade, it is likely to have beneficial effects at normal doses.
Evening primrose oil combined with fish oils for diabetics
The Glasgow study on diabetic neuropathy used evening primrose oil (Efamol) on its own. But investigations have been done using evening primrose oil combined with fish oils (as Efamol Marine).
The thinking behind this is that because diabetes blocks the conversion of both families of essential fatty acids – linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid – it would be sensible to take derivatives of these parent fatty acids, which could by-pass the blocked enzyme.
For the linoleic acid family, this means taking gamma-linolenic acid (i.e. evening primrose oil). And for the alpha-linolenic acid family, it means taking eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
As well as being good for diabetic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy, a combination of evening primrose oil and fish oils is also likely to be good for other complications of diabetes. Such a regime is likely to reduce high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and to lessen the risk of thrombosis, and also to prevent kidney problems. Further research is planned to test evening primrose oil in these areas.
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