Question
Does EO-3 have any omega-6 fatty acids in it? Is it good for weight gain?
Answer
EO-3 is a marine-derived oil that is a direct source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), two of the most biologically important polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. While EO-3 contains predominantly omega-3 fatty acids, it has a small amount of omega-6 fatty acids, about 3%. Omega-3 fatty acids have well-known anti-inflammatory properties and may provide support for conditions such as airway inflammation, arthritis, subfertility, and skin disorders.
EO-3 provides the same calories as any oil (corn oil or soy oil, for example), but the level of intake for EO-3 is low because it is not designed to be fed as a source of calories. A typical serving of EO-3, which is 1-2 oz, supplies about 260-520 kcal of digestible energy (calories), an insignificant number of calories given a horse’s total diet. Feeding higher levels of EO-3 is acceptable, but it is usually cost-prohibitive, and palatability issues may arise. Further, feeding higher levels of long-chain fatty acids above the recommendation may not benefit horses.
If higher fat levels are recommended (e.g., 1-2 cups or 8-16 oz of oil) for weight gain, we suggest adding vegetable oil, preferentially a source that contributes significant omega-3 fatty acids compared to omega-6 fatty acids (canola oil – 1:2 ratio of omega-3:-6). Other vegetable oils such as corn or soy are popular and are often used as calorie sources, but provide substantial amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, so we recommend supplementing with EO-3 to balance the total omega-3 to omega-6 ratio in the diet.
Horses fed high-fat diets should be supplemented with a natural source of vitamin E, such as Nano-E, for its antioxidant properties.
Take a deep dive into the science of omega-3 fatty acids by reading this paper written by Joe Pagan, Ph.D., founder and president of Kentucky Equine Research, and presented at the Equine Health and Nutrition Conference: “Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids in Equine Nutrition.”
