Composition
The ingredients are evening primrose seed oil (69.7% of the ingredients), gelatin (a protein made from collagen in the skin, tendons and bones of animals[3]), glycerol as a humectant (a substance that holds moisture), and natural vitamin E. The contents are 60 capsules with a net weight of 43 g.
Amounts are given for three and for six capsules.
| Nutrient | Per 3 capsules | % NRV | Per 6 capsules | % NRV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening primrose seed oil | 1,500 mg | — | 3,000 mg | — |
| of which gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) | 135 mg | — | 270 mg | — |
| Vitamin E | 23.6 mg α-TE | 196.7% | 47.2 mg α-TE | 393% |
NRV (nutrient reference value): a reference daily amount of a vitamin or mineral, set in EU law for food labels;[4] % NRV shows what share of it the daily dose provides;[5][4] a dash means no NRV is set for the substance; α-TE: alpha-tocopherol equivalents, the unit for vitamin E.
Ingredients
The oil of evening primrose seeds contains omega-6 fatty acids, including GLA.[1] Vitamin E is the collective name for a group of fat-soluble compounds with antioxidant activity; antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, which are reactive molecules.[6] There is not enough evidence to support the use of evening primrose oil for any health condition.[1]
How to use
- Dose: 1 or 2 capsules, three times a day; at most 6 capsules a day.
- How: with meals, swallowed unchewed with some liquid.
- Do not: exceed the recommended daily dose, or use the supplement as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
- Storage: in a cool, dry place, protected from light and out of the reach of young children.
Precautions
As a food supplement it is not a medicine and is not meant to treat, prevent or cure diseases. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk to a health care provider before starting the supplement. The same applies to anyone on medication. Children should be given the supplement with caution, except when a health care provider has recommended this product.[7]
- Evening primrose oil is probably safe for most adults when taken by mouth and generally well tolerated; the most common side effects are abdominal pain, nausea or diarrhoea.[1]
- It may be safe in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, but the evidence is not conclusive, and less is known about its safety for children.[1]
- Vitamin E supplements can interact with certain medicines, including anticoagulants and antiplatelets (medicines often called blood thinners).[6]
- They may also interact with medicines used in chemotherapy and radiotherapy.[6]
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Evening Primrose Oil. Last updated November 2024.
- ↑ Vivasan, product packaging of Forever Young (S 03).
- ↑ Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), Edible gelatin, specification prepared in 1970, revised in 2004.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 European Parliament and Council of the European Union, Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, Annex XIII, Part A; Article 53(2).
- ↑ European Parliament and Council of the European Union, Directive 2002/46/EC of 10 June 2002 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to food supplements, Article 8(2) and (3).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin E — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Page updated 19 October 2026. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
- ↑ Office of Dietary Supplements, Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. Page updated 4 January 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2026.