Sea Buckthorn Nutritional Properties

Note: There are over 190 identified bioactive substances found in seabuckthorn and 60 unidentified that we hope to learn more about. We have selected only a handful of these substances that make seabuckthorn truly unique when compared to other fruits and vegetables.

 

Oxygen is essential for survival, just stop breathing and you'll know what we are talking about, but in the late sixties scientist began to theorize that oxygen was also toxic. That's not to say that breathing will kill you, but oxygen molecules that are unstable, meaning they are missing an electron, have been linked to many common health issues. These unstable oxygen molecules, referred to as Free Radicals, are unavoidable because we have to breath, but they also increase when we exercise and when we are subjected to radiation, pollution, some heavy metals, pesticides, and cigarette smoke. A simple example is getting a sunburn, that's basic radiation damage to our bodies and our free radical production increases. But science has also shown that we can defend against Free Radicals with Antioxidants.

Antioxidants are free radical scavengers, in that they react with free radicals to make them more stable and less likely to cause damage to our lipids, proteins, and nulcleic acids. When these vital molecules are damaged it can change the structure or even kill our cells - uh that's bad. Thus antioxidants are good, really good. Many vitamins and minerals act as antioxidants in our bodies, but there are some antioxidants that are better than others and it's not just about taking a single antioxidant either. Research has shown that consuming a single antioxidant has mixed results, from helping or not helping to actually causing more damage. This means that taking say a Vitamin E pill or potion (a powerful antioxidant) doesn't always do the trick and could possibly have a negative effect.** Researches conclude that whole foods are likely the answer because they contain antioxidants along with other compounds that work together to protect the body by decreasing the risks of many common health issues.** It's no wonder why everyone from your Mom to the government suggests that we consume more fruits and vegetables that are abundantly rich in antioxidants.

Did you know that animals and plants can make their own vitamin C except for mankind and a few other animals? Yet vitamin C is essential for life!

Vitamin C is well-known for its superior antioxidant and immune support, and for promoting the health of joints.** It is also involved in collagen formation, which is important for healthy nails, skin and hair.**

Seabuckthorn ranks 3rd on the list of fruits and vegetables when comparing their vitamin C content, and ranked 7th when you take its average. The top two are Billy Goat Plum and Camu Camu. Yeah, we'd never heard of them either. Here's how seabuckthorn compares to fruits and vegetables you have heard of:

Note: The amounts shown are approximations and show the relative abundance of vitamin C in different raw plant sources. The amounts given are in mg per 100 grams of fruit or vegetable. Seabuckthorn contains an average of 600mg/100g of fruit and a high of 2750mg/100g of fruit.

Eat More SOD. No, not grass! Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is considered the most important enzyme in the body for protecting the body's cells and tissues from free radical damage. Seabuckthorn is an excellent source of SOD. SOD has been shown to support healthy joints, help with the side effects of cancer treatments, and support a healthy prostate.**

Note: The amounts shown are approximations and show the relative abundance of SOD in different raw plant sources. The amounts given are in mg per 100 grams of edible plant.

Second only to Wheat Germ, Seabuckthorn is an excellent source of vitamin E. Increasing amounts of scientific backing confirms the widely held belief that vitamin E has the ability to maintain cardiovascular health and immune function. It also supports prostate health.**

Note: The amounts shown are approximations and show the relative abundance of vitamin E in different raw plant sources. The amounts given are in mg per 100 grams of edible plant.

Lutein, zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lycopene are all carotenoids, but that's only a handful of the 600 carotenoids identified by man, of which 50 are present in our diets. Scientists have identified 39 of the 50 in seabuckthorn! This mix of carotenoids is incredibly high for such a small little berry and important because no individual carotenoid shows a high level of anti-oxidant activity, however, as a whole group the carotenoids become one of the most effective and powerful anti-oxidants out there.**

The most abundant carotenoid in seabuckthorn is beta-carotene which our bodies turn into Vitamin A. We know that Vitamin A protects dark green, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables from the sun and helps maintain the health of eyes, skin, bones, teeth, and immune system.**Because seabuckthorn is one of the richest sources of beta-carotene it is also one of the richest sources of Vitamin A.

Note: The amounts shown are approximations and show the relative abundance of vitamin A in different raw plant sources. The amounts given are in mg per 100 grams of edible plant.

There are many different types of flavonoids and each appears to have protective health effects. Some of the better known flavonoids include resveratrol, anthocyanins, quercetin, hesperidin, tangeritin, kaempferol, myricetin, and apigenin. Flavonoids are well-known for their antioxidant and immune support, and for promoting the health of the cardiovascular system.**

Shouldn't we avoid fat? We used to think so, but research makes it clear that some fats are good and some are bad. Better yet, some fats are really good and some fats are really bad. In fact, some are essential (you need to eat them to live). These essential fatty acids are more commonly called Omega 3 and 6. Omega 6 is abundant in plants while Omega 3 is abundant in fatty cold water fish. Other "good" fatty acids are omega 7 and 9 (the only known sources for omega 7 in the plant kingdom are seabuckthorn berries and macadamia nuts). Seabuckthorn is the only plant in the world known to contain omega 3, 6, 7, and 9. Increasing amounts of research show that Omega fatty acids are important for cellular, heart, circulatory, and skin health.** Omega 3's have also been shown to promote cognitive functions and bone health.**

Phytosterol, found in plants, perform the same function that cholesterol performs in mammals. Except in mammals we have "good" and "bad" cholesterol. Plants only have the "good" kind. And the phytosterols found in fruits and vegetables are good for people, they have cholesterol-lowering properties, promote the health of the digestive system, and support the health of cells.

Seabuckthorn and 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HTP)

In the central nervous system, 5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in sending messages through the nervous system. It is believed that 5-HTP promotes a healthy nervous system. We're happy to report that serotonin, sometimes called the molecule of happiness, is abundant in seabuckthorn.

Betaine is a nutrient that plays an important role in the health of your cardiovascular system and supports digestive health.

Seabuckthorn and Folate

Folate (also known as vitamin B9 or folic acid) is a an important nutrient for the production, repair, and functioning of DNA (our genetic map), so it's no wonder that doctors recommend increasing folate intake during pregnancy when rapid cell growth takes place.** But Folate doesn't stop there, it also plays a role in maintaining cardiovascular health, in the formation of new cells, and in producing serotonin and norepinephrine, those happy molecules linked to your central nervous system.**

All the little processes that happen in our bodies like energy, building cells, muscle building, fat loss, and mood and brain functions are intimately and critically linked to amino acids.** There are 22 known amino acids. Eight are essential (our bodies can't make them) and the other 14 can be produced by our bodies when they are optimally running. Studies have shown that seabuckthorn contains an unusually high amount of amino acids and that 50% of the total amino acids found in the berry are essential.

 

As part of the energy-producing biochemical reactions in cells, malic acid plays an important role in the body and supports muscle health.**

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The information on this page references the specific properties of the seabuckthorn berry and not the product Sibu Balance.