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 and his experts 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 gastrointestinal health.*

Hair, Skin & 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*

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.*

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.*

Gastrointestinal 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 gastrointestinal linings, just like it uses them to plump thin, stretched skin cells.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Sibu products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).

Special thanks to Sibu Beauty who authored the original content from which this has been adapted.