Researchers from the University of Kentucky were looking for an effective way to reduce inflammation in horses suffering from equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), characterized as overweight and insulin resistant. EMS is generally treated with one of two pharmaceuticals—metformin or levothyroxine. However, there are questions about their efficacy and long-term usage. In humans, supplementation with the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, promote fat loss, and reduce inflammation. The purpose of this study was to determine if DHA supplementation would have the same beneficial impact on horses, especially metabolic horses.

In a natural setting, pasture grasses provide the omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is one of two essential fatty acids, meaning it cannot be produced, and hence, must be in the diet. Within the horse’s tissues, ALA is converted to DHA, which has potent anti-inflammatory properties. However, the conversion rate is not efficient enough to offer significant potential for the horse already suffering from high levels of inflammation. Consequently, the researchers chose to supplement DHA directly.

Fish oils are high in DHA and another omega-3 known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). However, horses may have a palatability issue with many fish oils. Also, DHA has been shown to be more readily incorporated into tissues than EPA. Because of these factors, the researchers decided upon a DHA-rich microalgae for their study. Ten mixed-sex and mixed-breed horses with EMS were fed 16 grams of DHA per day for 46 days. Inflammatory status, glucose, and insulin were measured before and after the experiment.

The results showed a remarkable reduction in inflammatory markers. And interestingly, horses fed DHA-rich microalgae showed a lower insulin response to oral sugar administration than the control group experienced.

Implications of DHA Supplementation for Your Horse

Insulin is highly inflammatory, and can be elevated with Cushing’s disease, metabolic syndrome, and stress. It can lead to increased fat storage and leptin resistance, creating a vicious cycle of overeating and obesity. Reducing insulin, and hence, inflammation, can do wonders for a horse with metabolic conditions. Omega-3 fatty acids can assist with this.

Adding ground flax seeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds to the diet will offer the two fatty acids that are considered essential: ALA–an omega-3, and linoleic acid (LA)–an omega-6. And for most horses, these feedstuffs will meet their needs. (Keep in mind that hay has virtually no essential fatty acids left.) But in circumstances where a horse has high levels of inflammation, the addition of DHA is a better approach because it is far more effective at modulating insulin and inflammatory markers than ALA.

Though not specifically tested in this experiment, the researchers also commented on how high-DHA microalgae can improve glucose and insulin response after dexamethasone administration. This is a significant piece of information for horse owners who may be reluctant to used dexamethasone on a short-term basis for allergies or other minor disorders when the horse also has metabolic issues.

Bottom line … consider high-DHA microalgae supplementation to help your horse recover from insulin-related metabolic conditions.

The post DHA Supplementation May Reduce Inflammation in Metabolic Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are both essential to your horse’s diet because they support everything from individual cellular health to your horse’s overall wellbeing. Though your horse needs both types, maintaining the correct omega 3 and omega 6 balance between the two is critical. Because omega 3s support an anti-inflammatory response and omega 6s support a pro-inflammatory response, it’s generally recommended that your horse have two to four times more omega 3s than omega 6s.

Unfortunately, the typical diet of a modern horse can make achieving that omega 3 and omega 6 balance challenging. Fresh grass contains omega 3 fatty acids, but most horse owners turn to hay because year-round quality pasture is hard to come by or because their horses are easy keepers who can’t be on pasture. In addition, many horse owners feed grain because it’s considered a traditional horse feed or to provide extra calories.

This can be problematic because, as you can see from the omega 3 to omega 6 ratios of common feedstuffs listed below, the combination of a low-pasture, high-grain diet can lead to an imbalance in the omega 3/omega 6 ratio that sets the horse up for a chronic state of inflammation.

• Fresh Grass: 5 omega 3s to 1 omega 6
• Hay: 0 omega 3s to 0 omega 6s
• Commercial (Fortified) Grain: 1 omega 3 to 8 omega 6s
• Corn Oil: 1 omega 3 to 84 omega 6s
• Flaxseed: 4 omega 3s to 1 omega 6 (ideal ratio!)
• Fish Oil: ALL omega 3s

Add More Omega 3s to Your Horse’s Diet

A daily supplement like SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra is an easy way to provide high levels of omega 3s from flaxseed and fish oil so your horse’s good health can shine through. For more information, visit www.smartpakequine.com/ps/smartomega-3-and-e-ultra-14436.

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The post January 2020 SmartPak SmartTip of the Month: Omega 3-Omega 6 Balance appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.