Our eyes help us connect with the world. However, being exposed to the outside elements, our eyes, more than any other part of the body, are incredibly vulnerable to dryness. Exemplifying this, a survey recently commissioned by Optometry Australia, revealed that 85 percent of Australians have experienced dry or irritated eyes.
From the moisture-sapping effects of dry and cool weather conditions, to the long hours that many of us spend on digital screens, it can seem like our eyes are trapped in a never-ending cycle of dehydration and irritation, which can leave us feeling frustrated!
While some of the risk factors for dry eyes are unavoidable, there are a variety of strategies you can use to ensure your eyes are getting the nourishment they need to feel optimal.
It helps to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water, wearing sunglasses, taking adequate breaks away from your digital devices, using a humidifier to moisten the air, and consume foods rich in beneficial fatty acids (such as oily fish, nuts and seeds).
To support overall eye health and relieve dry eyes, you might consider supplementing your intake of beneficial fatty acids with sea buckthorn oil—a little-known gem!
What exactly is sea buckthorn oil and how can it benefit your eyes?
Despite being used for centuries by traditional medicine practitioners, sea buckthorn oil has only recently made waves in the modern therapeutic scene for its incredible health benefits.
Harvested from the berry, sea buckthorn oil is well-known for its vividly orange-red hue that is rich in a range of medicinal substances, such as:
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids – alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6)
- Monounsaturated fatty acids – palmitoleic acid (omega-7) and oleic acid (omega-9)
- Plant sterols – campsterol and beta-sitosterol
- Vitamin E – tocotrienols and tocopherols
- Carotenoids – betacarotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin
- Flavonoids – quercetin and kaempferol
Sea buckthorn oil contains the highest amount of omega-7 of any plant, trumping the amount found in familiar sources such as macadamia nuts by multi-fold!
Like many nutritional remedies, it is the blend of sea buckthorn oil’s bioactive components working together in perfect harmony that gives rise to its positive effects on mucous membranes in the body, most notably in the eyes.
What does the research say?
Whilst its traditional use is well-documented, sea buckthorn oil has only recently become the topic of scientific research. Emerging research shows that sea buckthorn oil supports eye health and relieves dry eyes, with evidence demonstrating that as little as two grams a day can attenuate markers of eye dryness and mitigate associated redness.
Get relief with Herbs of Gold Sea Buckthorn Oil
Intrigued by the thought of what this ingredient could do for you? Consider the vegetarian and vegan-friendly Sea Buckthorn Oil by Herbs of Gold. It contains 100% pure, certified organic Omegia™ sea buckthorn oil extracted from the plant’s fruit and seed, providing a balance of omega-3, 6, 7 and 9 beneficial fatty acids.
Since the therapeutic quality of sea buckthorn oil can be easily affected by environmental factors (e.g. time of harvest, storing procedures and post-harvesting processing), using Omegia™ sea buckthorn oil ensures batch-to-batch potency and consistency.
A holistic approach is the best means of keeping your eyes happy, hydrated, and healthy, so go on and incorporate these simple tips into your daily routine—your eyes will thank you for it!
References
Larmo P et al. (2016) ‘Oral sea buckthorn oil attenuates tear film osmolarity and symptoms in individuals with dry eye’, The Journal of Nutrition. <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20554904/>.
Marsinach & Cuenca (2019) ‘The impact of sea buckthorn oil fatty acids on human health’, Lipids in Health and Disease. <https://lipidworld.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12944-019-1065-9>.
