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VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS · GUIDE

Omega-7 (Palmitoleic Acid) and Sea Buckthorn Oil: Claims Checked

Omega-7 (palmitoleic acid) and sea buckthorn oil are sold with many health claims. See what omega-7 is, what trials and reviews found, and why the evidence is thin.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

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Quick answer
Omega-7 is a family of fats, the best known being palmitoleic acid, and sea buckthorn oil is a common supplement source. Reviews describe studies of sea buckthorn fatty acids as limited, and most of what is known comes from isolated fatty acids rather than the whole oil. [1] Omega-7 is a different fat family from omega-3, so findings for fish or algal oil do not transfer to it. Evidence label: insufficient evidence for most claims; where we looked and found nothing usable the page says Proper evidence not found.

What omega-7 and sea buckthorn oil are

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a spiny shrub whose berries and seeds yield different oils. A 2019 review reports that seed oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, while pulp oils are mostly omega-7 fatty acids, with composition varying by subspecies, harvest time and extraction method. [1] The review's table lists palmitoleic acid at 0% in seed oil and about 26% to 34% in berry and pulp/peel oil for the samples it summarizes. [1] So "sea buckthorn oil" on a label could be a seed oil, a pulp oil or a blend, and the fatty acids differ greatly. The label should say which part of the berry is used. Palmitoleic acid is also made by the body's own fat tissue, which a review calls a "lipokine." [2]

Claims checked

6 findings · 1 supported · 5 limited or unclearThe colour follows the evidence label on each card.

  1. Omega-7 lowers triglycerides and CRP

    Proper evidence not found

    The only human randomized trial we found of purified palmitoleic acid (60 adults, 30 days) reported lower CRP and triglycerides, but the journal retracted the paper in 2021 (the notice we read does not give the reason) [3][4]. We do not rely on it.

  2. Higher blood palmitoleic acid protects against diabetes

    Observational, does not transfer

    A pooled analysis of 16 cohorts (63,682 people) linked higher trans-palmitoleic acid, a marker of dairy fat, to lower diabetes risk [5]. This is an observational biomarker of a different (trans) form, not evidence for supplements.

  3. Sea buckthorn oil relieves dry eye

    Promising but limited

    An oral trial (100 randomized, 86 completed, 2 g a day for 3 months) found a smaller rise in tear osmolarity versus placebo and lower redness or burning in some analyses [6]. A report from the same group found no change in tear-film fatty acids, so the effect was not explained by fatty acids reaching the tear film [7].

  4. Sea buckthorn oil helps eczema

    Insufficient evidence

    A Cochrane review found one small study of sea buckthorn seed oil versus pulp oil versus placebo among 11 supplement studies, and concluded there is no convincing evidence that dietary supplements help eczema [8].

  5. Skin, vaginal and other "mucosa" benefits

    Insufficient evidence

    A 2019 review says these studies are limited, small, and need more clinical trials [1].

  6. Omega-7 for weight loss

    Not established

    Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for human trials of palmitoleic acid and sea buckthorn oil and found none we could rely on for this claim.

The dry-eye trial tested a whole oil that the authors describe as containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants, so its result cannot be credited to omega-7 alone. [6] Eyelid sprays, lotions and capsules are different products, and results do not transfer between them.

Where to go next

Omega-3 fats have a much larger research base: omega fatty acids explained, ALA, EPA and DHA, and omega-3 for dry eye cover the evidence for fish oil in the eyes.

Frequently asked questions

What is omega-7?

Omega-7 is a family of monounsaturated fats; the best-known is palmitoleic acid, and sea buckthorn pulp oil is mostly omega-7. [1]

Is omega-7 the same as omega-3?

No. They are different fat families; sea buckthorn pulp oil is mostly omega-7 while seed oil is richer in omega-3 and omega-6. [1]

Does omega-7 lower cholesterol?

Proper evidence not found. The one randomized trial we found was retracted. [3][4]

Does sea buckthorn oil help dry eyes?

One oral trial reported a smaller rise in tear osmolarity versus placebo, but evidence is limited. [6] Talk to an eye-care clinician about persistent dry eye.

Is sea buckthorn oil safe in pregnancy?

Not described in the sources we read, so ask a clinician or pharmacist.

More details: evidence, limits and cautions

The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.

Safety and who should ask first
Safety, side effects, drug interactions and pregnancy guidance for sea buckthorn oil are not described in the sources we read. That is not proof of safety. Check with a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially in pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood, kidney or liver conditions, before surgery, and if you take medicines. See medication interactions. Supplement quality varies; see quality testing and certifications. We state no intake amount for omega-7 because we found no official intake level in the sources we read.
References
  1. Sola Marsinach M, Cuenca AP. The impact of sea buckthorn oil fatty acids on human health. Lipids Health Dis 2019. Read 2026-10-23.
  2. Queiroz JC et al. Control of adipogenesis by fatty acids. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol 2009. Read 2026-10-23.
  3. Bernstein AM et al. Purified palmitoleic acid for the reduction of hs-CRP and serum lipids (retracted article). J Clin Lipidol 2014. Read 2026-10-23.
  4. Retraction notice: Purified palmitoleic acid for the reduction of hs-CRP and serum lipids. J Clin Lipidol 2021. Read 2026-10-23.
  5. Imamura F et al. Fatty acid biomarkers of dairy fat consumption and incidence of type 2 diabetes: pooled analysis of prospective cohorts. PLoS Med 2018. Read 2026-10-23.
  6. Larmo PS et al. Oral sea buckthorn oil attenuates tear film osmolarity and symptoms in individuals with dry eye. J Nutr 2010. Read 2026-10-23.
  7. Jarvinen RL et al. Effects of oral sea buckthorn oil on tear film fatty acids in individuals with dry eye. Cornea 2011. Read 2026-10-23.
  8. Bath-Hextall FJ et al. Dietary supplements for established atopic eczema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012. Read 2026-10-23.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.