Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in animal feed

Dear colleagues,

This week we have chosen a topic that is a few years old but still a hot topic: Omega 3 (ω3) and Omega 6 (ω6) fatty acids.

Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with several key functions in important metabolic reactions.

If the first double bond is on carbon 3, they are ω3, and if it is on carbon 6, they are ω6.

Linoleic acid (18:2, n-6) and linolenic acid (18:2, n-3) have the shortest chains of ω fatty acids and are classified as essential fatty acids because animals cannot produce them.

Some plant ingredients are rich in short-chain ω3 and ω6 fatty acids, but they need to be elongated to achieve their full metabolic properties.

Some sources of animal fat are rich in very long-chain ω6 fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid, and sources of marine oil in the diet are typically rich in very long-chain ω3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, EPA and DHA.

A low level of ω3 in the diet is related to inflammatory processes, especially when there is a high level of ω6. The reason for this can be found in the elongation metabolism of these molecules, since arachidonic acid (AA), which is a long-chain fatty acid essential for immune system functions, is transformed by the enzymes cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) into strong pro-inflammatory ω6 prostanoids and leukotrienes. However, ω3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is also processed by COX and LOX, competing with AA and regulating excessive levels of pro-inflammatory molecules. Another long-chain ω3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory prostanoids.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that several studies on different species show that a good balance of omega-3 fatty acids helps maintain healthy hearts, joints, skin, kidneys and immune systems, as well as growth and reproduction. It is therefore not surprising that they are increasingly used in pet food diets for laying hens, breeding animals and young animals.

Below, we are pleased to include an interesting article with a very useful review of the effects and metabolism of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in dog and cat diets.

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