Sea Buckthorn

Milled Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) – a natural source of vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids as part of horse and dog diets

Sea buckthorn is a vitamin powerhouse like no other!

Sea buckthorn is an exceptionally nutrient-rich berry that has long been used as part of both human and animal diets. Dried and milled sea buckthorn is suitable for use as part of a varied and natural diet for horses and dogs, especially when you want to supplement the diet with vitamins, antioxidants and plant-based fatty acids.

Sea buckthorn is known for its broad vitamin composition: it naturally contains almost all vitamins with the exception of vitamin D. Sea buckthorn is particularly rich in vitamins C and E as well as carotenoids, such as beta-carotene. Fresh sea buckthorn contains up to 10–20 times more vitamin C compared to oranges. The flavonoids in sea buckthorn occur naturally together with vitamin C as part of the plant's nutritional profile. Sea buckthorn is one of the most vitamin E-rich berries known.

These compounds form an antioxidant nutritional profile associated with normal tissue function and metabolic balance in the body as part of daily nutrition.

Skin, coat and mucous membranes from a nutritional perspective

The vitamins, flavonoids and fatty acids in sea buckthorn support the normal structure and function of skin, coat and mucous membranes as part of the diet. The vitamins A, C and E as well as flavonoids contained in sea buckthorn are associated with the renewal of skin and mucous membranes, protection of cells from oxidation, and normal immune function of the body.

Historically, sea buckthorn was already known in ancient Greece as a plant associated with horse feeding, and horses' coats were observed to become smoother and shinier. According to current knowledge, these observations are linked to sea buckthorn's rich content of nutrients and bioactive compounds.

Fatty acids and nutritional support for mucous membranes

Sea buckthorn contains an exceptionally broad fatty acid profile. The berries and seeds contain fatty acids from several omega series, including omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid), omega-6 (linoleic acid), omega-7 (palmitoleic acid and vaccenic acid) and omega-9 (oleic acid).

Omega-7 fatty acid in particular is rare in the plant kingdom and is associated with normal mucous membrane structure and moisture balance as part of the diet. The fatty acids in sea buckthorn also contribute to the nutrient supply and metabolism of the subcutaneous fat layer, which is particularly relevant for animals with dry skin and during the winter season.

Research background

Horses:
In a controlled study on horses (Huff et al.), the use of a sea buckthorn-based berry preparation as part of the diet was investigated. The study found that sea buckthorn feeding was associated with a reduction in the number of mucosal lesions in the glandular part of the stomach (pars glandularis) compared to the control group. No effect was observed on the non-glandular part of the stomach (pars nonglandularis). The study was a dietary intervention, and the results should not be used as a basis for therapeutic claims.

Dogs:
In a study on dogs, the use of sea buckthorn oil was examined as part of the nutritional support of damaged mucous membranes. The study concerned sea buckthorn oil and not dried berry, but it supports the significance of sea buckthorn's fatty acids and bioactive compounds in the nutrition of mucous membranes.

Winter season nutrient supplementation

Dried milled sea buckthorn is particularly useful during the winter feeding season, when the intake of fresh plant-based nutrition and natural vitamins is often lower. Sea buckthorn supplements the diet with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids as part of a balanced overall diet.

Dosage:

Horses: 1 tbsp – 3 tbsp per day
Dogs: 1/2 tsp – 1 tbsp per day

Measurement information: 1 tbsp ≈ 6 g, 1 dl ≈ 40 g

Nutrients (naturally occurring, approximate)

Dried milled sea buckthorn naturally contains (approximately per 100 g) including vitamin A 18,2 mg (alpha-carotene 2,3 mg, beta-carotene 15,9 mg), vitamin C 126,9 mg, vitamin E 25,8 mg, phosphorus approximately 2,5–3,0 g, potassium approximately 5,5–6,0 g, calcium 0,64 g, magnesium 0,71 g, copper 7,0 mg, manganese 10,0 mg, iron 48,0 mg, zinc 17,0 mg as well as omega-3, omega-6 and omega-7 fatty acids.

Fatty acids, approximate:
Total fat content is approximately 3–8 g / 100 g, of which omega-3 fatty acids approximately 0,3–1,2 g, omega-6 fatty acids approximately 0,8–2,5 g, omega-7 fatty acids approximately 0,4–1,8 g and omega-9 fatty acids approximately 0,3–1,2 g per 100 g of product.
Natural variation in content typical of natural products is possible depending on the growing location, harvest, drying method and the proportions of berry parts.

Composition: Dried and milled sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides).

Background information and study references

The composition and nutritional properties of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) have been extensively studied in both botanical reviews and animal and clinical studies. The publications below provide background information on the vitamins, fatty acids, flavonoids contained in sea buckthorn and their significance in nutrition. They should not be used as a basis for claims regarding the treatment of diseases in individual animals. In animal feeding, sea buckthorn is used as part of a varied and balanced diet.

Horses

Huff, N.K. et al. (2012).
Effects of sea buckthorn berries on gastric ulcer scores and gastric juice pH in horses.
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (depending on publication channel).
– The study examined the use of a sea buckthorn-based berry preparation in horse feeding and its association with gastric mucosal lesions. The observed effect was directed at the glandular part of the stomach (pars glandularis), not the non-glandular part.

Dogs

Singh, P. et al. (2013).
Efficacy of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) oil vis-à-vis other standard drugs for management of gastric ulceration and erosions in dogs.
Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
– The study evaluated the use of sea buckthorn oil as part of the nutritional support of gastric mucous membranes in dogs. The study concerned sea buckthorn oil, not dried berry.

Nutrients, antioxidants and bioactive compounds
Yang, B. & Kallio, H. (2001).

Composition and physiological effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) lipids. Trends in Food Science & Technology.
– A review of the fatty acid composition of sea buckthorn, particularly omega-3, -6, -7 and -9 fatty acids.

Guliyev, V.B. et al. (2004).
Antioxidant activity of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) extracts.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
– A study on the antioxidant properties of sea buckthorn and the significance of flavonoids, carotenoids and vitamins.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) as a potential source of nutraceutics and its therapeutic possibilities – a review.
– A comprehensive review of the nutrients, vitamins, fatty acids and bioactive compounds of sea buckthorn.