What is the dosage of Oil of Evening Primrose (EPO) (OEP)?
Evening primrose oil has been administered orally in clinical trials for arthritis, atopic dermatitis, PMS, and diabetic neuropathy at doses between 3 and 6 g/day. The typical content of gamma-linolenic acid is 8% to 10% in the oil. As a nutritional supplement, the maximum label-recommended daily dose of OEP is approximately 4 g. This dose contains 300 to 360 mg GLA, which contributes:(1) 6 to 7 mg GLA/kg/day likely to be produced from linoleic acid in the normal adult female, (2) 23 to 65 mg GLA/kg/day consumed by a breastfed baby, or (3) 70 to 400 mg/kg/day of all the metabolites of linoleic acid consumed by a breastfed infant. According to these estimates, the amounts of GLA in the recommended doses of OEP are in the same range as the amounts of GLA and other related EFAs present in widely consumed foods. EFAs cannot be manufactured by the body and must be provided by the diet in relatively large amounts. It has been recommended that 1% to 3% of total daily caloric intake should be
