Are you feeding the wrong Omega-3 supplement?
Omega-3 supplements are highly popular for humans and animals because of their anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3 is a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that includes eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). EPA and DHA are fatty acids found in seafood and ALA is found in plant oils such as flaxseed and canola oils.
Feeding Omega-3 for its anti-inflammatory properties
The goal of feeding omega-3 fatty acids is to reduce the body’s own natural inflammation response. By feeding your horse Omega-3 supplements, you are increasing the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA and EPA incorporated into the cellular membranes. This, in turn, reduces the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines within the cells. Studies have found that the human body can convert ALA to DHA and EPA but only in small amounts. You would need 9 times the amount of ALA for the same benefits of DHA and EPA.
The problem with Flaxseed as an omega-3 supplement
We can now answer the key question asked in this post. Am I feeding the wrong omega-3 supplement? If you are using flaxseed the answer is probably yes. The Kentucky Equine Research organization conducted a recent study on 13 thoroughbreds where they were fed either flaxseed (ALA) or EO-3 (EPA, DPA, DHA) as a source of fatty acid. The study ran for two months and the results were staggering. Red Blood Cell membrane levels of DHA and EPA were recorded after 1 month and 2 months of supplementation. Those horses on Flaxseed had no increase in DHA or EPA. Whereas horses fed the EO-3 fatty acids saw about a 500% increase!
See for yourself. Here is a link to the KER Study.
Flaxseed has it’s benefits
If you are feeding flaxseed, ask yourself, “Why?” If the answer is to add calories or to improve the shine of my horse’s coat, then why change? Flaxseed is simple in nature and provides some great benefits. But if the answer is as a natural defense to inflammation, I recommend finding a supplement that gets its omega-3 fatty acids from DHA and/or EPA.
Supplements with DHA and EPA
Here are two sizes of the KER EO-3 supplement. I’ve found a couple less expensive that even say fish oil but when you look at the ingredients they are not pure and often include part ALA type oils. I would love your feedback if you either use these or find another brand.
