LONG-CHAIN OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS PROVIDE MULTISYSTEM SUPPORT IN HORSES

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff

Omega-3 fatty acids, also called omega-3s, are among the healthy fats that provide energy to humans. Research has also positively linked omega-3s with cardiovascular health, brain function, and strong immunity in people. Similarly, scientists have uncovered multiple benefits of omega-3s when fed to horses, including anti-inflammatory effects in multiple body systems, including the respiratory, musculoskeletal, reproductive, and endocrine systems.

The primary omega-3s are the short-chain fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and the long-chain fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Common sources of ALA for horses include flaxseed, flax oil, and camelina oil, while EPA and DHA are supplied directly through marine-derived sources.

EO-3 is a marine-derived oil that is a direct source of EPA and DHA, the most biologically active omega-3s.

Research at Kentucky Equine Research revealed that daily intake of EPA and DHA from EO-3 significantly increases red blood cell membrane EPA and DHA but that a similar amount of omega-3 in the form of ALA from flax oil does not. Assessing red blood cell membrane content is a reliable way to gauge whole-body levels of omega-3s. Horses do not appear to be able to efficiently convert ALA into EPA and DHA. Therefore, a dietary source of EPA and DHA like EO-3 is needed to affect cellular membrane composition.