Whilst Omegas 3 and 6 (the essential fatty acids) may have been making headlines there is another Omega starting to create waves, which could have important health implications, especially for women.
Scientists believe our most delicate body tissues, especially the skin and the mucus membranes that line the digestive and urogenital tracts, use Omega 7 fatty acids as vital building blocks. Environmental stressors, such as sunlight and pollution, poor diets, and even normal aging, can challenge these sensitive membranes, and Omega 7 fatty acids are now being hailed as important agents to nourish, protect, replenish, moisturize, and restore them.
Attack by free radicals (substances that are thought to be behind a whole host of problems, from premature skin aging to cancer) results in the disintegration of membranes and a loss of function, leading to ulceration of the digestive tract, a disturbed epidermal barrier in the skin and dryness of the genital tract lining - particularly in menopausal women.
Whilst the body can make Omega 7 itself, unlike Omegas 3 and 6, it is nevertheless thought that supplementation with Omega 7 could have large health implications.
One of the most concentrated sources of Omega 7 known to us is Sea Buckthorn.
Sea Buckthorn is a shrub that grows in several countries around the world, but which is particularly prevalent in China, where it has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. Whilst the berries of the Sea Buckthorn plant have been hailed as ‘exotic’ superfoods, with numerous uses and being rich in many important nutrients, it is their effect on membranes that has received the most attention.
Traditionally the oil from Sea Buckthorn has been used to treat a host of skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. Studies have now supported this use of the oil 1 and it is thought to be largely the berries’ high content of Omega 7 that is behind their benefits. This effect of Sea Buckthorn on external membranes has led to further research into how supplementation can help with digestive and genital tract lining problems.
Of particular interest is Sea Buckthorn’s potential to help with vaginal dryness, a problem prevalent in post-menopausal women. Research has shown that Omega-7 is important to the vaginal membrane because it imparts fluidity to the membrane 2 and can therefore help combat dryness.
Sea Buckthorn also contains Omegas 3, 6 and 9 and has been linked to various other health benefits including boosting the immune system and anti-aging properties.
So, whilst it remains important to keep your Omega 3 levels high, by regularly eating oily fish and certain nuts, you’d be well advised to remember the Forgotten Omega.
Sea Buckthorn is a relatively new product in the UK, but a high quality Sea Buckthorn supplement is available from Superdragon by visiting
www.superherb.co.uk.
1/ Skin inflammation: A randomized controlled trial has demonstrated the benefit of supplementation with sea buckthorn on symptoms of patients with atopic dermatitis (Yang et al, 1999).
2/ Healthy mucous membranes/vaginal dryness: The benefits of omega-7 PUFAs in maintaining healthy mucous membranes, and in reducing vaginal dryness in menopausal women have been reviewed by Yang & Kallio (2002).
3/ Zeb A. Important therapeutic uses of sea buckthorn (Hippophae): a review. J Biol Sci 4:687-693, 2004
4/ Zeb A. Chemical and nutritional constituents of sea buckthorn juice. Pakistan J Nutr 2004 3(2):99-106
5/ Gross PM. Tracking market meteors: exotic superfruits, Natural Products Insider, November 2007