Sea buckthorn food supplement: skin, heart health & immunity

Often referred to as a ‘miracle plant’, sea buckthorn has a quite exceptional nutritional content. Its berries contain some of the highest levels of vitamins, essential fatty acids, trace-elements and flavonoids[1] (leucocyanidin, catechin, quercetin, camelina, flavanone, ellagic acid…) of any fruit.

But their most important characteristic is their high fatty acid content. Unlike other fruits, sea buckthorn produces and accumulates various types of fat in its pulp, seeds and skin[2]. It’s thus the primary plant source of omega-7, a monounsaturated fatty acid rarely found in the diet, which seems to have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular function.

Because of this remarkable composition, global interest in sea buckthorn is booming.

Sea Buckthorn Extract is not like other sea buckthorn oil supplements. It is obtained via non-aggressive supercritical CO2 extraction, in order to preserve its high content of omega-3 (alpha linolenic acid), omega-6 (linoleic acid), omega-9 (oleic acid), and omega-7 (palmitoleic acid). It also provides several important unsaponifiables such as carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols and phytosterols, as well as a number of flavonoids and vitamin C.

It comes in the form of softgels to maximise the absorption of its various elements.

1. Sea buckthorn oil has been used in traditional Tibetan and Mongolian medicine for more than 1000 years to optimise circulation and digestive function. China’s Ministry for Health has also categorised sea buckthorn oil as a ‘functional food’, one which, over and above its nutritional qualities, has demonstrated benefits for one or more physiological functions.
2. Sea buckthorn pulp is rich in omega-7, a rare and beneficial fatty acid which is found in just two plant species: sea buckthorn, and Hawaiian-grown macadamia nuts.
3. Sea buckthorn berries contain significant levels of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps to maintain skin integrity, as well as a healthy immune and antioxidant system.
4. In combination with other supplements and plants, it is used for promoting healthy circulation. Several studies[3][4][5][6] have suggested it has a beneficial effect on blood viscosity and on cardiac function as a whole.
5. Sea buckthorn oil is also used in the manufacturer of cosmetics, as it’s thought to delay the appearance of wrinkles and maintain the radiance of the skin.

The recommended daily dose is 2 softgels, one with each of the two main meals of the day.

Note: if you’d like more information on basic supplementation and the benefits of taking a daily multivitamin, we’d recommend downloading our e-book Practical guide to nutritional supplements.