Pharma Nord Omega 7 Buckthorn Oil

Omega-7 is a nutritional supplement prepared from berries of the sea buckthorn plant (Hippopae rhamnoides), a shrub originating in the Himalayas. Most of the research into the sea buckthorn plant has been carried out by Chinese and Russian scientists, and sea buckthorn is widely used in health products and cosmetics in these countries. More recently, the beneficial potential of the sea buckthorn plant has been increasingly recognized in Europe and North America. The oil extracted from sea buckthorn berries is a rich source of the essential polyunsaturated omega-7 fatty acids (PUFAs), palmitoleic acid and cis-vaccenic acid. Relatively few plant species are good sources of these essential PUFAs. In addition to the omega-7 PUFAs, sea buckthorn oil is a good source of the PUFAs alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3 type), linoleic acid (omega-6 type), and oleic acid (omega-9 type), as well as containing high levels of antioxidants (tocopherols, tocotrienols, carotenoids plant sterols and vitamin C).Omega-7 may help to maintain healthy mucous membranes lining the vaginal tract, a particular concern of many women during and after middle age. Omega-7 may also help to maintain a healthy immune system and normal inflammatory response, as well as helping to maintain healthy skin. Mucous membranes line the surface of the digestive system, the respiratory tract, and the urino-genital tracts. The essential PUFAs and antioxidants present in sea buckthorn oil work together to maintain healthy mucous membranes throughout the body. The omega-7 PUFA palmitoleic acid is of particular importance, because it enables mucous membranes to resist damage by free radicals. Such damage can result in the disintegration and loss of function of membranes, leading for example to ulceration of the digestive tract, a disturbed epidermal barrier in the skin, and dryness of the genital tract lining. Omega-7 PUFAs, together with the other classes of omega PUFAs present in sea buckthorn oil (and their metabolites) also play an important role in maintaining normal immune function/inflammatory response processes.