Omega 7 vs. Omega 3

With the great number of health blogs and media outlets online, it is easy to see that most of us are concerned with three things when it comes to improving our health: weight loss, longevity and cancer. Media celebrities like Dr. Oz and amateur bloggers have been buzzing with information about how essential fatty acid supplements can provide benefits for each of these concerns. For many years omega-3 fatty acids have held the spotlight due to their well-known anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. While omega-3’s benefits are certainly great,  their relative omega-7 is fast becoming a nutritional superstar.  Here is a breakdown on their differences and similarities and how they together may improve your pet’s health.

Omega-7 Fatty Acids

Omega-7 fatty acid, potent monosaturated fats, are less well known than other omegas but are very important for our health.  Omega-7’s secret is out, as many biomedical researchers have found that its potent benefits overshadow those of omega-3. Omega-7 has multifaceted benefits, which include:

• Reduces the signs of aging
• Boosts collagen production in skin
• Helps skin cells repair sun damage
• Enhances skin’s moisture content
• Digestive support
• Improves mucous membrane function of the stomach and intestines
• Helps support mucous membrane repair
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Cardiovascular support
• Has been shown to improve blood lipid profiles
• Anti-inflammatory properties – smoothing inflamed arteries and veins
• Diabetes, obesity and weight loss
• Increases insulin sensitivity of bodily cells – improving insulin resistance
• May have a “signaling” function that helps helps the body control weight and fat reserves at the cellular level 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids 

Not to be outdone by its rare cousin, omega-3 supplementation compliments the benefits found in omega-7. Omega-3 fatty acids (such as EPA, ALA and DHA) have been researched for decades and their benefits are most widely known, including:

• Reduces the signs of aging
• Reduces the risk of dementia
• DHA is vital for the retina and gray matter in the brain
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Reduces the body’s circulating inflammatory compounds
• Helps to reduce joint pain
• Cardiovascular support
• Mild antihypertensive effects
• Stimulates blood circulation

What you eat greatly impacts your overall health, regardless of your particular health concerns. Some experts believe that the high omega-6 content of the Western or American diet and relative deficiency of omega-3s and omega-7s is contributing to the obesity epidemic and decline in good health. Increasing both omega-3 and omega-7s in your pet’s diet (and yours) have long-term benefits on the inside and out.

Do you have a personal experience with omega 7 or sea buckthorn? Share your success story with us in the comments.

Your Pet's Most Important Organ- Keep it Healthy!

Beauty isn’t just skin deep, it begins on the cellular level…with the skin cells, to be exact. Your pet’s skin is the largest and one of the most important organs in his body. The exterior coat is not just there for us to admire, it provides him with protection from the sun, wind, cold and pollution. It needs to stay in tip-top condition and is a reflection of overall health. When the skin cells are not being over-turned or made properly, a host of problems can happen, predisposing the skin to disease. The hair will lack a lustrous sheen and can become brittle and break. If your pet’s coat has any of the following issues, veterinary evaluation and a few changes at home are needed:

• Frequent scratching
• Scaly, dry skin
• Sticky, oily skin
• Skin discoloration
• “Acne-like” eruptions, especially in the groin or armpit areas
• “Hot spots”
• Skin infections
• Thinning hair coat
• Balding
• “Moth-eaten” appearance
• Dry, brittle hair that breaks easily

You can prevent and help correct these problems in just a few simple steps:

• Omega-7 supplementation
The majority of “Western style” diets for humans and pets alike are lacking in essential fatty acids. They tend to be too high in omega-6 and too low in omega-7 and omega-3 fatty acids, which are the most important for maintenance of healthy skin and hair. Also, the manufacturing that dog and cat food undergoes can damage or degrade these essential nutrients.

Omega-7 is an essential building block for the fast-growing cells of the hair, skin and nails. They have also been shown to boost collagen production. Collagen is the tissue ‘fiber’ that gives skin it’s stretch and is important for the normal healing process of damaged skin. The best source of this omega comes from whole-fruit preparations of sea buckthorn.  Sea buckthorn not only provides the omega-3 and omega-7 necessary to moisturize and support healthy skin repair, it contains a host of other nutrients to aid the process. The skin is constantly being bombarded by UV radiation, pollution and harsh environments. This ‘wear and tear’ exposes skin cells to damaging free-radicals. The free radical-fighting antioxidants in sea buckthorn compliments omega-7 in protecting your pet’s skin cells.

•Regular Grooming
You don’t have to be an expert groomer or spend your weekends at the pet salon to take proper care of your best friend’s coat. Most pets benefit from daily brushing. Brushing not only gives you an opportunity to bond, but it stimulates the skin.  Brushing allows for the dead, top layer of skin cells to be removed, allowing new cells to take their place. Hair is constantly growing and will fall out periodically.  If loose hairs get stuck too close to the skin, especially the dense ‘undercoat,’ it can trap moisture, bacteria and dead skin cells, leading to “hot spots” or skin infections. Daily brushing will keep this from happening, as you’ll help your pet consistently remove their loose hair.  Does your cat (and carpeting) suffer from hairballs?  Daily brushing will remove the loose hair that could end up irritating your cat’s stomach.

• Exercise
Exercise not only stimulates and tones the muscles, but the skin too. It helps promote skin’s natural elastic qualities and hair production. You don’t have to put your dog on a “couch to 5K” regimen, a simple brisk walk for 10-15 minutes a day is sufficient to help him look and feel his best. When these things are done regularly, you will notice a major change in your pet. They’ll be the envy of the dog park, and most importantly, they’ll feel better than ever.

What skin and coat issues are your pets dealing with? Share your comments and questions with our guest Veterinarian Deborah Shores.

Omega 7 & Your Pet's Digestion

Everyone suffers from poor digestion from time to time, even man’s best friend.  Those “tummy grumbles” and “gassy bubbles” that emit from your dog may send you scrambling to open a window, but remember that it isn’t too pleasant for them either.

What causes this discomfort and what can omega 7 do about it?

Fresh Sea Buckthorn Berries from Our Annual Harvest

The digestive system of dogs and cats, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is fairly similar to the human digestive system. Most dogs and cats are used to putting the same thing day-in and day-out into the GI tract. Sometimes if there is a deviation from the norm, such as your pet getting into the trash, helping himself to a slice of pizza or chewing on an unidentified object at the dog park, tummy troubles can ensue.  

Everyday life can also make things hard on our furry friends.  Between genetic predispositions for GI problems like irritable bowel syndrome, cats preying on critters in the yard, and stress caused by the dog across the fence, stomachs can take a serious hit.

It’s not just you who gets an upset stomach or stomach ulcer when under stress. When our pet’s bodies are stressed, often the mucosal lining of their stomach takes a beating due to an increase in stomach acids. This increase throws off the pH balance and can cause painful stomach ulcers.

Luckily, we can help combat the effects of stress on the digestive tract with omega 7 fatty acids. Omega 7s are a rare but extremely important fat for our pet friends. They help promote proper cellular function overall and help protect the cells.  This is especially true along the digestive tract.  The stomach lining is strengthened when there are more omega 7s in the body. This in turn helps to moisturize and lubricate the stomach and intestines, protecting it from fluctuations in acid levels. Daily supplementation will provide this extra support that your pet needs and will help prevent tummy troubles from arising.

The world’s richest source of this unique omega is in sea buckthorn. Sea buckthorn is a nutrient powerhouse that also provides an array of B-vitamins, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. If your pet already suffers from digestive troubles, it is a good idea to give sea buckthorn a try. It may make all the difference, providing relief and prevention for your pet and you too!     

Vet Tips from SeaBuck 7

SeaBuck 7 Invites Veterinarians to Share their Knowledge

We're very happy to announce our first guest Vet, Deborah Shores. We've invited her to share in on our journey helping us spread the word about how to keep your animal friends healthy and how sea buckthorn & omega 7 can help. 

Dr. Deborah Shores is a graduate of Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Berry College. She has lived in the United States and in Europe, working with a variety of animals including cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, dairy cattle and non-human primates. She has a special interest in nutrition, sonography, and travels as often as she can.

Be sure to follow us for the latest information on animal health from experienced veterinarian professionals. Your pet will thank you.

MORE TO COME SOON!

Equine Health & Performance

Equine Thrush: Don't Forget to Hold Your Breath


You’re caring for your horse, picking out their hooves, and BAM!  The next thing you know, your butts on the ground pinching your nose shut trying to regain clarity.  The good news..… it’s not you.  The bad news… it’s probably thrush.  So what is thrush?  Thrush, also known as Pododermatitis is one of the most common equine hoof infections that mainly effects the frog area of the hoof.  Aside from the smell thrush gives off, the frog area of the hoof will be black, discharging a black gooey substance.

So, we know bad odor and black discharge are the two biggest red flags associated with thrush.  So what’s the cause?  The very same bacteria that live and thrive in your horse’s natural environment are the ones to blame.  Because this bacteria is naturally abundant where your horse lives you can’t eliminate it, but you can take specific measures to prevent thrush and save yourself from that smell that’ll knock your horseshoes off.

As we know you’ve heard before, “prevention is the best medicine”.  Because the bacteria live in your horse’s immediate environment, begin your first line of defense there.  You’ll need to provide an environment with dry areas for your horse as thrush thrives in wet, muddy areas.  Unsanitary stalls and low oxygen environments also multiply the chances of your horse becoming infected with thrush.  Don’t forget, good’ol fashioned TLC goes a long way so keep your horse’s hooves well maintained with regular foot care and inspection.

If your horse has thrush and your scent receptors have already been singed (we’re sorry) than you’ll need to begin treatment.  Leaving thrush untreated can lead to the infection spreading into the deeper areas of the hoof leading to lameness.  Equisearch shares one daily method of treating equine thrush as follows:

1. Make your own cotton swab by wrapping a wisp of loose cotton tightly around the end of a hoof pick
2. Soak the cotton in the treatment solution. We are using a commercial preparation, but bleach also works.
3. Swab down the sides of the frog as if you were picking out the hoof. The goal is to get into all the cracks, so don't be afraid to apply a bit of pressure. (If there are flaps or shelves of compromised frog, have your farrier pare them away so the fungus is easier to reach.)
4. Swab the cleft of the frog and any other crevices in its surface. The swab will become darker as you work, a sign it is picking up exudates and dead tissue. Repeat the process, using fresh cotton, until the swab comes out of the hoof nearly as clean as it went in.---Source- Equisearch.com

We know there are plenty of you out there who have come across this challenge and have conquered thrush with flying colors.  Share your thoughts and solutions with us here, and don’t forget to tell us what you thought about the smell!

Equine Health & Performance

Equine Colic: What is it and what can you do?

The word “colic” by definition simply means abdominal pain.  Equine colic tends to begin with mild pain and faint symptoms.  The American Quarter Horse Journal explains that, “approximately 10 percent of all horses suffer at least one bout of colic during their lifetimes. And a little more than 6 percent of those die, nearly twice as many horses that are affected by other diseases or injuries.  Remember that all colic are emergencies and a veterinarian should be contacted as soon as possible.” Serious intestinal issues such as blockages and ruptures tend to be fatal without a successful surgery to correct the problem.

Preventing colic should be your first line of defense.  SeaBuck Complete can be an effective aid in this area as it keeps stomach acid levels low and helps to naturally maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract.  An easily preventable yet common problem associated with colic is not enough water.  As we are currently in our winter season, frozen or ice covered water can lower your horse’s liquid intake which can play a major role in colic issues.  You should constantly be making sure your horse has fresh thawed water available to drink.

Research shows that horses confined in stalls have a significantly higher chance of developing colic problems. Allow your horse to roam, and if possible allow them social interaction with other equine.

We know there are times when you try your best to keep your horse healthy and in top condition, but every now and then that wonderful factor called “life” steps in and takes you on a different route.  If this happens, your horse is counting on you to take the necessary steps to help them get back to their natural healthy state. 

Although we've made great progress in understanding the causes and treatments of colic it continues to be one of the top medical equine emergencies. The picture below is of a horse suffering from colic. If your horse is constantly retreating into the position seen below, call your vet for an evaluation and take that as a cautionary sign to stay observant and vigilant. 

Photo Credit: EquiSearch

A Great American Hero

Sgt. Reckless of the U.S. Marine Corps has been named as one of the top 100 all-time greatest American heroes by Life Magazine and was known for her bottomless appetite.  Sgt. Reckless, the small Mongolian mare became a marine on October 26, 1952 at a height of 13- 14 ½ hands high and weighing 900 pounds as stated by SgtReckless.com.  A great story of a true American hero.

We know what you’re thinking, “I wonder how she would have done if she had sea buckthorn”.  Well here is an artist rendering of what Sgt. Reckless may have looked like if fed SeaBuck Complete.

Have a great weekend everyone!