Written by James C. Morton Jr., Staff Writer. In a randomized double blind-placebo controlled study, seabuckthorn seed oil significantly lowered systolic (6.8%), diastolic blood pressure (5.5%), cardiovascular risk (20% total cholesterol), and increased antioxidants levels (6.4%) compared to baseline and placebo in a group of males living in high altitude.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) are common risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease 1. Hypertension is characterized by elevated systolic blood pressure (normal is 120mm Hg) or diastolic blood pressure (normal is 80mm Hg). Hyperlipidemia is characterized by elevated levels of lipids (fats, cholesterol and triglycerides) circulating in the blood. It is estimated that over 80 million Americans are diagnosed with hypertension, and over 600 thousand (1 in every 4) die of heart disease a year 2 with a projected healthcare cost to exceed $1 trillion annually by 2030 3. A recent study showed an increased prevalence of hypertension in populations in high altitudes (>2500 meters above sea level) 4.
The most popular treatment approach for hypertension and hyperlipidemia patients is the use of prescription medications that block calcium channels, angiotensin II receptors, beta receptors, or classified as a diuretic 5, and a chemical drug to lower total cholesterol, in addition to diet and lifestyle changes.
Fortunately, a 2016 study 6 reveals that seabuckthorn seed oil lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, in addition to increasing levels of antioxidants. In the study, 106 males living in a high altitude environment were divided into two groups (Group 1: Control = 34 healthy males, and Group 2 = 74 males with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia) with average age of 35+ years. Group 2 was further divided into 37 males (Group 2) and 37 males (Group 3), with 0.75 ml/day of seabuckthorn seed oil given to Groups 1 and 2, and 0.75 ml/day of sunflower oil (placebo) given to Group 3, for 30 days.
The subjects’ blood pressure was measured before and after the study using an automated machine based on cuff oscillometric principle, measured three times with a mean value obtained. Their total serum cholesterol and total serum antioxidant were also measured 7.
After 30 days, researchers noted the following: (Seabuckthorn = SBT)
| Group 1: Healthy (control) + SBT | Group 2: Hypertension, Hypercholesterolemia + SBT | Group 3: Hypertension, Hypercholesterolemia + placebo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systolic Blood Pressure (mm Hg) | 5.4% decrease (130 to 124) p<0.05 | 6.7% decrease (149 to 139) p<0.05 | 3.4% decrease (147 to 142) p-not significant |
| Diastolic Blood Pressure (mm Hg) | 1.2% decrease (85 to 84) p-not significant | 5.3% decrease (95 to 90) p<0.05 | 2.2% decrease (93 to 91) p-not significant |
| Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 12.8% decrease (167.5 to 146) p<0.05 | 19.0% decrease (236.9 to 192.1) p<0.05 | 2.3% decrease (223.7 to 218.5) p-not significant |
| LDL-Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 16.3% decrease (109.3 to 91.5) p<0.05 | 26.7% decrease (155.1 to 113.7) p<0.05 | 3.1% decrease (150.6 to 146) p-not significant |
| Triglyceride (mg/dL) | 19.3% decrease (129.2 to 104.3) p<0.05 | 8.0% decrease (155.1 to 142.9) p<0.05 | 5.0% decrease (152.2 to 144.8) p<0.05 |
| Total Antioxidant (µmol Trolox Equivalent/L) | 8.4% increase (515 to 562.2) p<0.05 | 6.4% increase (498 to 532) p<0.05 | 3.8% increase (490 to 509.5) p<0.05 |
The lipid profile mean value difference of Group 2 compared to Group 3 revealed a significance, p<0.001, CI 95%, for LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and oxy-LDL, in addition to antioxidant status. Four of the six parameters measured did not significantly change in Group 3.
When suggesting how seabuckthorn seed oil benefits those with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia that’s related to cardiovascular disease, the researchers pointed to seabuckthorn’s highly rich and strong poly unsaturated fatty acids that contain omega -3,6,7,and 9 with the extra benefit of having carotenoids and flavonoids that have cardioprotective properties and antioxidants to prevent oxidative stress 8. Omega-3 has a hypotriglycerdemic and cholesterol-lowing effect, improves endothelial function that relaxes the arteries and vessels by modulating e-NOS to help lower blood pressure, and omega-9 has a hypolipidemic effect 9,10. The vitamin-E in seabuckthorn is effective against LDL oxidation 11, and beta carotene is a good terminator of oxygen-free radicals to prevent endothelial cell injury 12 to help reduce cardiovascular risk 13.
In parallel, an animal study was performed on male adult rats that showed similar results. The study had limitations that related to the short-term evaluation of seabuckthorn seed oil, and the exclusion of other risk factors that contribute to progression of cardiovascular disease (C-reactive protein, HbA1c) with the suggestion of further investigation on a larger population at lower altitudes.
Source: Vashishtha V, Barhwal K, Kumar A, Hota S, Chaurasia O, Kumar B. 2016. Effect of seabuckthorn seed oil in reducing cardiovascular risk factors: A longitudinal controlled trial on hypertensive subjects. Clinical Nutrition, July; 22(1-8) doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.07.013.
Posted October 4, 2016.
References:
- Association AH. Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease.
- CDC. Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm.
- CDC. Reducing Medication Costs to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease – A Community Guide Systemic Review. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2015/15_0242.htm.
- Norboo T, Stobdan T, Tsering N, et al. Prevalence of hypertension at high altitude: cross-sectional survey in Ladakh, Northern India 2007-2011. BMJ Open. 2015;5(4):e007026.
- WebMD. Hypertension and Hyperlipedemia
- Vashishtha V, Barhwal K, Kumar A, Hota SK, Chaurasia OP, Kumar B. Effect of seabuckthorn seed oil in reducing cardiovascular risk factors: A longitudinal controlled trial on hypertensive subjects. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2017;36(5):1231-1238.
- Bluher M, Hentschel B, Rassoul F, Richter V. Influence of dietary intake and physical activity on annual rhythm of human blood cholesterol concentrations. Chronobiol Int. 2001;18(3):541-557.
- Suryakumar G, Gupta A. Medicinal and therapeutic potential of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.). J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;138(2):268-278.
- Takada R, Saitoh M, Mori T. Dietary gamma-linolenic acid-enriched oil reduces body fat content and induces liver enzyme activities relating to fatty acid beta-oxidation in rats. J Nutr. 1994;124(4):469-474.
- Shimokawa H, Vanhoutte PM. Dietary cod-liver oil improves endothelium-dependent responses in hypercholesterolemic and atherosclerotic porcine coronary arteries. Circulation. 1988;78(6):1421-1430.
- Sato K, Niki E, Shimasaki H. Free radical-mediated chain oxidation of low density lipoprotein and its synergistic inhibition by vitamin E and vitamin C. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1990;279(2):402-405.
- Stahl W, Sies H. Antioxidant activity of carotenoids. Molecular aspects of medicine. 2003;24(6):345-351.
- Bao M, Lou Y. Flavonoids from seabuckthorn protect endothelial cells (EA.hy926) from oxidized low-density lipoprotein induced injuries via regulation of LOX-1 and eNOS expression. Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology. 2006;48(1):834-841.
