The Synergistic Benefits of a Blend of Borage, Fish, and Sea Buckthorn Oils: A Comprehensive Analysis

By Donnie Yance

Fish oil, long prized in Nordic and coastal traditions for its nourishing fats, has become one of the most widely used supplements in American culture, celebrated for its heart, brain, and joint benefits. Today, its role is expanding as practitioners explore synergistic blends with other nutrient-rich oils. The integration of multiple therapeutic oils in nutritional supplementation represents a sophisticated approach to optimizing health outcomes. Rather than taking pure omega-3 fish oil supplements, combining high-quality omega-3 fish oil with borage oil (rich in gamma-linolenic acid) and sea buckthorn oil provides a diverse array of important synergistic fatty acids along with many other health-promoting compounds such as carotenoids, phenols, sterols, and tocopherols. This article examines the scientific evidence supporting the combined use of borage oil, fish oil, and sea buckthorn oil, demonstrating how their unique properties work synergistically to enhance cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, support skin integrity, and provide comprehensive wellness benefits. ¹

Individual Oil Profiles and Mechanisms

Fish Oil: The Omega-3 Foundation

Fish oil, containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), forms the cornerstone of anti-inflammatory nutrition. Omega-3 oil supplementation, particularly EPA and DHA, has been shown to enhance endurance capacity and cardiovascular function during aerobic-type exercise. Research demonstrates thatomega-3s may improve strength when combined with resistance training, decrease subjective measures of muscle soreness following intense exercise, positively affect immune-cell responses in athletic populations, and offer neuroprotective benefits in athletes exposed to repeated head impacts.²

Borage Oil: The GLA Powerhouse

Borage (Borago officinalis L.) seed oil has been used as a treatment for various degenerative diseases, with many useful properties attributed to its high gamma linolenic acid content (GLA, 18:3 ω-6).³ GLA has anti-inflammatory effects,⁴ and a 2014 study found that taking 1.8 grams of borage oil per day helped reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in 74 participants observed for 18 months.⁵

Studies have indicated that GLA promotes healthy prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) production, which helps support healthy joint function.⁶ Research with 29 healthy elderly people receiving 360 or 720 mg GLA daily for 2 months showed statistically significant improvement of cutaneous barrier function, with consumption leading to altered fatty acid metabolism and improved skin function.⁷

Sea Buckthorn Oil: The Complete Spectrum

Siberian sea buckthorn oil has come to the attention of the Western medical community because of its unique fatty acid profile.⁸ Sea buckthorn is one of the only plant foods known to provide all four omega fatty acids (omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9), and is a good source of omega-6 fatty acids linoleic acid and gamma linolenic acid, which may help reduce acne and psoriasis and protect against dry or scaly skin.⁹

Sea buckthorn is rich in various vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds, with researchers identifying more than 190 active bio-compounds in sea buckthorn seeds, fruit, and juice.¹⁰ Sea buckthorn is rich in flavonoids and omega-3, 6, 7, and 9 fatty acids. Palmitoleic acid is an omega-7 fatty acid rarely found in plant sources, but sea buckthorn oil is one of the only plant-based sources of this unsaturated fatty acid, which can help lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and improve overall cardiac function.¹¹

Sea buckthorn oil has been used to treat severe dryness of the eyes, oral cavities – mouth and throat, peptic ulcers in the stomach, and vaginal dryness. Sjögren’s Syndrome has also been successfully treated with sea buckthorn oil. Now to add to the list of benefits, heart disease can also be treated with sea buckthorn oil.

Research demonstrates that sea buckthorn seed oil shows significant efficacy in reducing cardiovascular risk factors, including dyslipidemia and hypertension. Clinical studies indicate that supplementation with sea buckthorn oil can lead to dramatic reductions in heart disease risk by improving cholesterol levels and healthy blood lipid profiles, with participants showing increased HDL (good cholesterol) and significantly decreased bad cholesterol. Additionally, research has shown that taking just 0.15 teaspoons (0.75 mL) of sea buckthorn oil daily helped reduce blood pressure levels in people with hypertension.

The cardiovascular benefits may be attributed to sea buckthorn oil’s unique combination of bioactive compounds, including omega fatty acids and other nutrients that work synergistically to support heart health. Studies have found that the bioactive elements in sea buckthorn oils provide cardioprotective properties through various mechanisms, including reducing plasma LDL concentration, inhibiting platelet activation, and ameliorating oxidative stress. ^12,13,14

Sea buckthorn oil is also beneficial for alleviating dry eye symptoms due to its rich content of omega fatty acids and antioxidants,¹⁵ which help increase tear secretion and reduce inflammation. Clinical studies suggest that taking sea buckthorn oil can improve eye lubrication and relieve discomfort associated with dry eyes.^16,17 Zeaxanthin and lutein are carotenoids with specific eye related health benefits. In the case of sea buckthorn oil, of all the free carotenoids, zeaxanthin had the highest bio-accessibility (61.5%), followed by lutein (48.9%), making sea buckthorn oil a potential attractive source of bio-accessible xanthophylls.¹⁸

Synergistic Benefits of the Combination

Enhanced Antioxidant Protection

An important benefit of carotenoid-rich Sea buckthorn oil is that it lowers the oxidative stress that can be induced by fish oils. While omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for cardiovascular health, these fragile oils are highly susceptible to oxidation. However, the addition of Sea buckthorn oil to fish oil guards against oxidation.¹⁹ An additional advantage is that the carotenoid mixture enhanced the plasma triglyceride-lowering effect of the fish oil.²⁰Sea buckthorn oil is a strikingly rich source of carotenoids, in particular zeaxanthin and β-carotene.²¹ Sea buckthorn enhances immune function and has shown to be a great value for supportive cancer care.²²

Cardiovascular Health

Sea buckthorn oil may benefit heart health in several ways. It’s rich in phytosterols, plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions that help protect the body from damage and disease, and is a good source of quercetin, an antioxidant linked to a lower risk of heart disease. A 2017 study found that taking 0.15 teaspoons (0.75 mL) of sea buckthorn oil daily helped reduce blood pressure levels in people with hypertension, and triglycerides and total and LDL cholesterol levels also dropped in those who had high cholesterol.²³,²⁴

Comprehensive Skin Health

The combination provides unparalleled support for skin health through multiple mechanisms. Sea buckthorn oil has been used as a natural skin treatment for centuries. It’s rich in unsaturated fat, antioxidants, phytosterols, carotenoids, and vitamins E and K, and is rich in palmitoleic acid (omega-7), which can help treat burns and promote wound healing.²⁵ Research shows that borage oil can reverse epidermal hyperproliferation, with accumulations of beneficial metabolites in the epidermis.²⁶

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

When combined with other fatty-acid-rich sources like omega-3 fish oil and GLA-rich borage oil, sea buckthorn’s benefits are even greater, offering a well-rounded approach to performance optimization and long-term wellness.²⁷ EPA found in fish oil and gamma-linolenic acid have been shown to suppress inflammation in monosodium urate-induced arthropathies (such as gout). In those wishing to avoid purine intake associated with fish, supplementation with EPA and/or GLA may be encouraged.²⁸

Athletic Performance and Recovery

In the highly competitive realm of sports, sea buckthorn oil has emerged as a remarkable supplement with potential benefits. It’s more than just a superfood, it’s a full orchestra of nutrients that can enhance athletic performance, speed up recovery, and support overall health. With its rich profile of fatty acids, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, this little orange berry offers a natural way to fight fatigue, reduce inflammation, and protect cells from the oxidative stress of overexertion.²⁹  When combined with fish and borage oils, the antiinflammatory effects are increased.

Fish Oil And Evening Primrose Oil In Breast Cancer Patients

A randomized controlled trial tested whether Omega-3 fish oil and evening primrose oil (EPO) supplements together could reduce inflammation in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. 29 women completed the 12-week study. The intervention group was taking 2 gel capsules of fish oil and 3 gel capsules of EPO (400 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, 600 mg docosahexaenoic acid, and 351 mg gamma-linolenic acid) fish oil and evening primrose oil for 12 weeks, during their chemotherapy.

Results showed that supplementation improved omega-3 fatty acid levels and significantly lowered IL-6 (an inflammatory marker) compared to placebo, suggesting that this combination supports reduced inflammation-related complications in breast cancer treatment.³⁰

Mechanistic Synergy

The combination of GLA with omega-3 fish oils provides superior therapeutic outcomes through:

Prostaglandin Balance: GLA enhances PG1 (anti-inflammatory) while omega-3s enhance PG3 (anti-inflammatory) and suppress PG2 (pro-inflammatory) production. The fatty acids GLA, EPA, and DHA affect cellular processes involved in inflammation, including the production of eicosanoids. Prostaglandins are the major eicosanoids that are produced from specific fatty acids during inflammation:

Anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E1 is derived from dGLA, a metabolite of GLA from the omega-6 family of fatty acids;

Anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E3 is a derivative of EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid.

Leukotriene Suppression: The combination provides more comprehensive leukotriene inhibition than either approach alone, with GLA-derived 15-HETrE being particularly potent.

Membrane Optimization: Both fatty acid families improve cell membrane fluidity and function, but through different mechanisms that complement each other.

Genetic Considerations: Fatty Acid Desaturase (FAD) gene polymorphisms affect individual responses to fatty acid supplementation, making combination therapy more universally effective than single-agent approaches ³¹

GLA and EPA Have Complementary Actions: Combining GLA with EPA and DHA can enhance anti-inflammatory effects and support overall health,³² for several conditions like dry eye. ^33,34,35 This combination helps balance the inflammatory responses in the body.

Benefits of Combining Fish Oil and Borage Oil

Key Components

OIL TYPE	KEY FATTY ACIDS	BENEFITS
Fish Oil	EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)	Supports heart health, reduces inflammation, improves brain function
Borage Oil	GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid)	Anti-inflammatory properties, supports skin health, may help with hormonal balance

Health Benefits of the Combination

Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Both oils have anti-inflammatory properties. Fish oil helps reduce inflammation through EPA and DHA, while GLA from borage oil can be converted into anti-inflammatory compounds in the body.

Heart Health: Fish oil is known for its cardiovascular benefits, including lowering triglycerides and improving cholesterol levels. Borage oil may also support heart health by reducing inflammation.

Skin and Joint Health: Borage oil is often used for skin conditions and joint pain due to its GLA content. Fish oil can further enhance these benefits by reducing overall inflammation.

Clinical Applications and Dosage Considerations

The recommended approach involves taking 4 caps daily of an omega-3 supplement that includes the highest quality, purest fish oil combined with sea buckthorn oil and Borage oil.³⁶ For rheumatoid arthritis specifically, 4.5-7.2 grams of borage seed oil daily for up to 24 weeks has been studied.³⁷ There is no established dosage for sea buckthorn oil, though supplements typically range from 350 mg to 1,000 mg in capsule form.³⁸

Here is an example of daily therapeutic levels for each of the fatty acids:

Omega 3

EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) 750 mg

DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) 550 mg

Borage oil

GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) 300 mg

Sea Buckthorn

Omega 7 Palmitoleic Acid 40 mg

Omega 9 Oleic Acid 270 mg

Safety Profile

Research demonstrates that borage seed oil is not toxic at physiological concentrations and is DNA safe (non-genotoxic), confirming its antioxidant capacity. Studies propose supplementation with borage seed oil because it protects DNA by modulating oxidative genetic damage.³⁹,⁴⁰ Sea buckthorn is generally considered safe for external and internal use with minimal side effects, though a small percentage of people may experience side effects.⁴¹

Conclusion

The combination of borage, fish, and sea buckthorn oils represents a scientifically-supported approach to comprehensive health optimization. Sea buckthorn oil contains highly concentrated levels of essential fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols and phytosterols and is clinically approved in Russia forinflammation, circulatory disorders, liver detoxification, cellular regeneration, and cellular protection. These natural oils are a far better option for protecting health than pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for treating conditions caused by deficiency of protective omega-3 fatty acids.⁴²

For athletes and active individuals looking to improve endurance, recovery, and overall health, this combination provides a valuable addition to a well-balanced nutrition plan, while offering broad-spectrum benefits for cardiovascular health, skin integrity, brain health, inflammation management, and overall wellness for the general population.⁴³