(NaturalHealth365)  Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of unhealthy conditions that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol, excess fats in the blood, and abdominal obesity, affects close to 40 percent of American adults.  According to researchers at Harvard Medical School, rates of this dangerous syndrome – which elevates the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes – are currently on the rise.

Sea buckthorn oil – an ancient remedy prized in both Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine – may prove to be a valuable intervention against this harmful condition.  In fact, a new review published in the journal Foods credits sea buckthorn with an impressive repertoire of health-promoting effects that can discourage metabolic syndrome.  If you’re concerned about your metabolic or coronary health, you’ll want to find out what this natural nutrient, sometimes referred to as the “holy fruit of the Himalayas,” can do for you.

“Damage control:” Researchers say sea buckthorn oil eases complications caused by metabolic syndrome

The review’s authors credited sea buckthorn oil with improving metabolic health by “strongly” decreasing triglycerides, cholesterol, inflammation, blood sugar, and blood pressure in a clinical study.  They cited a study showing that 800 mg a day of sea buckthorn oil for 60 days helped to prevent atherosclerosis in obese children.  Specifically, the oil reduced triglycerides, cholesterol, blood pressure, and intima-media thickness (a measure of atherosclerosis) while also “cooling off” inflammation and oxidative stress.

Another study showed that supplementation with sea buckthorn oil lowered blood sugar by 44.7 percent compared to a control group.  By helping to renew levels of “good guy” gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, sea buckthorn oil helped to discourage dysbiosis or imbalance of the gut microbiome.  Dysbiosis has been strongly linked with autoimmune conditions, obesity, and – unsurprisingly – metabolic syndrome.  The conclusion?  While sea buckthorn oil is not a “cure-all” for metabolic syndrome, it can ameliorate the syndrome’s unhealthy conditions and support better metabolic health.

What makes sea buckthorn oil so beneficial for metabolic syndrome?

This nutritious oil is high in healthy unsaturated fats, which help protect the heart and regulate cholesterol levels.  In a 2017 review published in Trends in Food Science and Technology, researchers noted that sea buckthorn reduced LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol in participants at risk of heart disease.  Flavonoids in sea buckthorn oil, such as quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol, can help reduce oxidative stress in cells and tissues, including those of the heart.

But the coronary benefits don’t stop there.  Sea buckthorn also reduces C-reactive protein, a pro-inflammatory marker implicated in heart disease, and helps protect endothelial cells, the fragile linings of the arteries.

In a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, sea buckthorn had anti-aggregation activity (a fancy way of saying it can discourage blood platelets from “clumping” together into clots.)  Finally, research has shown that sea buckthorn oil reduces blood pressure by blocking the angiotensin II pathway.

Do your face a favor: Palmitoleic acid in sea buckthorn hydrates, nourishes, and smooths the skin

Sea buckthorn berries contain high levels of a beneficial fat known as palmitoleic acid, a component of human skin.  Sometimes called omega-7 fatty acid, palmitoleic acid is thought to promote wound healing and skin health while protecting against ultraviolet radiation from the sun’s rays.

Many holistic dermatologists advise topical applications of sea buckthorn berry oil to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and slow photoaging.  Another fatty acid in sea buckthorn, linoleic acid, may ease psoriasis and eczema.  In a 2019 study published in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, applying sea buckthorn oil for 4 to 8 weeks reduced the severity of psoriasis symptoms, leading the team to describe the oil as an “affordable” therapy with low adverse effects.

Sea buckthorn is an ancient natural remedy with modern applications

If you would like to try sea buckthorn oil topically on the skin, look for a cold-pressed formulation made from the shrub’s berries, rather than one made from the roots and leaves.  For maximum benefit, choose a product with no additives or dyes.

The oil should be deep orange in color.  To avoid staining clothing or skin, sea buckthorn oil should be diluted with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, or grapeseed oil.  In addition, if this sounds like too much work, you’ll be glad to know you can find sea buckthorn oil, botanically known as Hippophae rhamnoides, in prepared lotions and creams.

Sea buckthorn oil is available as an oral supplement in capsules ranging from 350 to 1,000 mg.  Before adding sea buckthorn oil to your health routine, consult your holistic physician.

Historians tell us that the medicinal use of sea buckthorn oil can be traced back 7,000 years.  The fact that this natural intervention dates back to antiquity – yet can be used to address modern-day medical ills – is a testament to the “staying power,” versatility, and healing potential of this intriguing oil.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
Health.Harvard.edu
Healthline.com
Wiley.com
NIH.gov
ScienceDirect.com
NIH.gov
MindBodyGreen.com