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What
are omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3
fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fats, one of four basic types
of fats that animals and humans derive from food. (Cholesterol, saturated
fat, and monounsaturated fat are the others.) All polyunsaturated fats,
including omega-3s, are increasingly recognized as being important to
good health.
Some doctors and scientists believe that consuming too many foods rich
in saturated fats attributes to the development of degenerative diseases,
including heart disease and even cancer. Polyunsaturated fatty acids,
however, are healthy for animals and humans. Omega-3 fatty acids, which
are found primarily in cold-water fish, fall into this category, along
with omega-6 fatty acids, which are found in grains, most plant-based
oils, poultry and eggs.
Why
are omega-3 fatty acids important?
Omega-3s (and one omega-6) are considered important fatty acids because they are critical for good health. They are essential building blocks your dog and cat needs for a healthy heart and strong immune system. Grizzly Salmon Oil supplies a variety of different omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA, making it the best source of these nutrients.
There
are different types of omega-3 fatty acids.
Key
Omega-3 fatty acids include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic
acid (DHA), both found primarily in oily cold-water fish such as salmon,
tuna and mackerel. Aside from fresh seaweed, plant foods rarely contain
EPA or DHA.
A third omega-3, called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is found primarily
in dark green leafy vegetables, flaxseed oil and certain vegetable oils.
ALA is not readily accessible to animals, which must use several enzymatic
steps in their metabolism to convert it into a useful configuration like
EPA. Thus, scientists estimate that only a small fraction of ALA benefits
dogs; and cats totally lack one of the metabolic enzymes to utilize ALA.
Some dogs, too are extremely poor in utilizing ALA, especially if high
amounts of metabolically "competitive" Omega -6 fatty acids are present.
These poor dogs constantly suffer with skin problems unless their food
is supplemented with EPA from e.g. salmon oil.
Heart
disease and omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3
fatty acids have been shown to improve heart health in dogs, cats and
humans. They play a part in keeping cholesterol levels low, stabilizing
irregular heart beat (arrhythmia) and reducing blood pressure.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also natural blood thinners, reducing the "stickiness"
of blood cells (called platelet aggregation), which can lead to such complications
as blood clots and stroke.
Specifically, two papers reported by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, in collaboration with investigators from the University of
California at San Francisco have shown levels of omega-3 fatty acids to
be inversely correlated with the risk for coronary artery disease (CAD)
and stroke.
Grizzly Salmon Oil, when used as directed, is naturally balanced to deliver
a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3
fatty acids have been shown to help your dog or cat avoid arthritis and
stiff joints
As
dogs and cats' age, their movement may become labored, their joints may
stiffen and they may suffer from arthritis. These signs of inflammation
can make them less comfortable and can greatly limit the amount of exercise
they get.
Scientific studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce
joint stiffness, swelling, tenderness and overall fatigue. Numerous studies
report that participants with inflammatory diseases who ingest omega-3s
are more successful in combating arthritis.
Help your dog or cat
stay happy with omega-3 fatty acids
"Fatty acids contained
in fish such as salmon may prove to function as nature's own anti-depressants,"
says a study of 30 patients conducted by a research team headed by Andrew
Stoll, M.D., director of the pharmacology research laboratory at Harvard
University.
The university's McLean Hospital found that some of the patients' symptoms
of manic depression responded favorably to treatment with fish oil supplements.
Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University in Toyama, Japan, showed
one omega-3 acid, DHA, to prevent an increase in extra aggression during
periods of stress.
Omega-3 fatty acids, both DHA and EPA, are found in fatty fish, including
salmon and cod. They may work by increasing serotonin levels, thus boosting
neurotransmitter activity, as do anti-depressants such as Prozac. They
may also help by restocking the outer brain cells, which receive chemical
signals.
Additional
information regarding the benefits of omega fatty acids:
Medical
research shows omega fatty acids have health benefits.
Scientists made one of the first associations between omega-3 fatty acids
and good health while studying the Inuit (Eskimo) people of Greenland
in the 1970s. As a group, the Inuit suffered far less from certain diseases
(coronary heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, psoriasis)
than their European counterparts. Yet their diet is very high in fat from
eating whale, seal, salmon and other fish.
Eventually researchers realized that these foods were all rich in omega-3
fatty acids, which provided real disease-countering benefits.
Omega 3s help prevent discomforts related to inflammation.
Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Raynaud's disease and other autoimmune diseases
greatly decrease quality of life. Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids (such
as fish oils) have been shown to increase survival in people with autoimmune
diseases. This is probably because the omega-3s help the arteries - as
well as many other parts of the body - stay inflammation free. EPA and
DHA are successful at this because they can be converted into natural
anti-inflammatory substances called prostaglandins and leukotrienes, compounds
that help decrease inflammation and pain.
In 1998, an exciting review of well-designed, randomized clinical trials
reported that omega-3 fatty acids were more successful than a placebo
("dummy drug") in improving the condition of people with rheumatoid arthritis.
The research also showed that getting more omega-3 fatty acids enabled
some participants to reduce their use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs). .
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