Omega 7 Fatty Acid
Health Benefits
After hundreds of years of quiet use,
word of the astounding benefits of Omega 7 Fatty Acid has finally
reached the US. Touted by Dr. Oz for its incomparable weight-loss properties,
this rare but powerful “MUFA” (or Monounsaturated Fat) is popping
up in media and in clinical study results across the country.
Omega 7 fatty acid (also called “Palmitoleic
Acid” in most scientific and clinical publications) can be found in
animal and plant sources, including macadamia nuts, cold-water fish
and sea buckthorn berries. Sea buckthorn contains a much higher concentration
of this valuable fatty acid, up to 40% as compared to 17% in macadamia
nuts. While this omega has numerous skin and health benefits, it is
also known for its ability to support a healthy weight, cardiovascular
health, and gastro-intestinal health.*
Skin, hair and
nails
Omega 7 provides key building blocks
for skin, hair and nails. It helps combat wrinkles, dryness,
loss of skin elasticity, and other symptoms of malnourished or aging
skin. It also helps skin function properly by supporting numerous skin
functions, including:
- Boosting collagen production*
- Protecting against oxidative
damage*
- Restoring youthful resilience
and plumpness to aging skin cells*
- Rejuvenating skin cell membranes*
- Enhancing the skin’s ability
to retain moisture*
- Repairing sun-damaged skin*
- Protecting against sun damage,
toxins and environmental stress*
Clinical References:
- Effect of dietary supplementation
with sea buckthorn seed and pulp oils on the fatty composition of skin
glycerophospholipids of patients with Atopic Dermatitis. Yang, B,
et al., 2000, Jour Nutr BioChem, Vol. 11, 338-340.
- Anti-inflammatory
activity of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) leaves. Ganju, L et
al., 2005, Intr Immunopharm, Vol. 5, 1675-1684.
- Composition and physiological
effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophae) lipids. Yang, B, et al., 2002,
Trends Food Science Tech, Vol. 13, 160-167.
Weight management
Taken internally, omega 7 fatty acid
signals the body to stop storing fat.* Clinical studies have shown that,
not only do users melt away fat, but they also keep it off for longer
periods.* This amazing compound also helps the body maintain insulin
sensitivity and fight off the imbalances that can result in metabolic
syndrome.* Insulin sensitivity plays a major role in helping the body
convert glucose into energy, rather than storing it as fat. Research
shows that omega 7 imitates a hormone in the body that helps regulate
systemic metabolic activity.*
Clinical References:
- Chronic administration
of palmitoleic acid reduces insulin resistance and hepatic lipid accumulation
in KK-Ay mice and genetic type 2 diabetes. Yang, et al., Lipids
in Health and Disease, 2011, 10:120.
- Identification of a
lipokine, a lipid hormone linking adipose tissue to systemic metabolism.
Cao, et al., 2008, Cell 134: 933-944.
- Trans-Palmitoleic
Acid, Metabolic Risk Factors, and New-Onset Diabetes in U.S. Adults.
Mozaffarian, D. et al., Annals Intr Med, 2010, Vol. 153, no. 12.
Cardiovascular
health
Your entire cardiovascular system benefits
from increased access to omega 7, particularly palmitoleic acid.* The
positive benefits to cardiovascular health fall into
two categories: it may help (1) reduce the amount of bad cholesterol
traveling through your arteries, and (2) help smooth their passage,
which in turn helps artery walls stay strong and resistant to tearing.*
- Improved lipid panels.
Omega 7 (or palmitoleic acid) has been shown to induce broad improvements
in overall lipid levels, including a reduction in LDL (bad cholesterol)
levels and an increase in HDL (good cholesterol) levels.* Balancing
lipid panels has long been the primary goal of most cardiovascular health
programs.
- Smooth artery walls.
Omega 7 (or palmitoleic acid) has been shown to reduce elevations in
C-reactive protein (CRP), which indicates how inflamed and sticky artery
walls are.* By soothing and smoothing artery walls in much the same
way that they soothe and smooth skin, omega 7s keep cholesterol and
fats in the blood moving along so they don’t stick and cause problems.*
Clinical References:
- Serum Lipid Effects of
a High–Monounsaturated Fat Diet Based on Macadamia Nuts. Curb,
J. et al., 2000, Arch Intern Med/Vol. 160.
- Lipoprotein composition
and serum cholesterol ester fatty acids in nonwestern Melanesians.
Lindeberg, S. et al., 1996, Lipids, Vol. 31, no. 2.
- Trans-Palmitoleic
Acid, Metabolic Risk Factors, and New-Onset Diabetes in U.S. Adults.
Mozaffarian, D. et al., Annals Intr Med, 2010, Vol. 153, no. 12.
Gastro-intestinal
health
Omega 7 has a soothing and smoothing
effect on all the body’s sensitive internal linings. These linings
(the mucous membranes that line the GI tract, stomach, upper respiratory
tract and genital area) help nourish and hydrate internal organs and
combat stressors, including excessive stomach acid or chronic inflammation.
In addition to soothing inflamed and irritated membranes, the body needs
this powerful fatty acid to plump up those sensitive linings, just like
it uses them to plump thin, stretched skin cells.
Clinical References:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
basics. Nikitin, V.A., et al. Khirurgia, 1989; National Association
for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease, 4:33-35.
- Prevalence of essential
fatty acid deficiency in patients with chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
Siguel, E and Lerman, R. 1996, Metabolism. Vol. 45, no.1, 12-23.
- Sea buckthorn oils: Towards
healthy mucous membranes. Erkkola, R. & Yang, B., 2003, AGROFood
Industry, 53 (3).