Last week, Dr Oz caused another stir in the diet and weight loss industry when he featured the SeaBuckthorn on his tv show. Ironically, the segment was primarily about the general health benefits of the SeaBuckthorn Berry Oil, and secondarily, about using the oil to keep the skin moist and younger looking. But a brief portion did reveal the results of a recent study where mice that were fed daily doses of Seabuckthorn oil were half the weight of mice that did not receive the oil – even though both groups of mice had the exact same diet otherwise.
Although the results of the study were indeed compelling it does not prove that the oil will help mice LOSE weight. Nor does it have any indication whether the results will translate to humans. More testing is underway now on both of these questions. But, since the oil has been consumed by people for thousands of years with no negative side effects, you can be sure that thousands of people will be undertaking testing at home on themselves very soon.
Dr. Mehemet Oz recommended a 500mg a day supplement to relieve constipation and maintain healthy bowels in particular, but also notes many other health and nutritional benefits. For internal use the berry is known to moisten and strengthen the lining of the intestines. Dr. Oz also recommended Sea Buckthorn Oil applied externally to keep skin moist and combat skin damage due to sunlight and general aging.
Sea Buckthorn Oil, made from what is being referred to as the new “super berry,” has been used throughout Eastern History as a powerful anti-oxidant with incredible natural healing properties. It is also known to aid the body in improving digestive and cardiovascular health as well as to improve liver, digestive and immune health. It is also used to combat the signs of aging in skin, hair, and nails. Sea Buckthorn Oil provides over 190 bioactive nutrients and minerals along with Omegas 3, 6 and the rare Omega 7, while nourishing the body with essential fatty acids, high level of carotenoids and Vitamins A, C, E and K.
The health and beauty industry has been incorporating seabuckthorn oils into various products for several years now, both for external application and internal consumption. But typically, it is oil produced from the seed of the fruit that is used for skin care products. Oils produced from the berry have some similar nutrients, with one major difference being that the berry oil is much higher in Omega 7 fats – often 30-40% by weight, depending on the source and processing.
Omega 7 fat is found in very few plants and animal sources naturally, with Macedamia nuts being the most well known, although in very small amounts. It is thought that the Omega 7 fats are mostly responsible for the signals sent to the brain to stop storing excess fat. It is unclear whether supplements of Omega 7 fats alone will have the same effect, but since SeaBuckthorn oil is already the usual and most readily available source of Omega 7 fat supplements, there doesn’t seem to be much interest in testing pure Omega 7 fat supplements alone at this time.