Striving to meet Fido's nutritional needs goes beyond making sure that there's kibble in his bowl. Most commercial foods are deficient in some of the key nutrients which can help protect against disease, aging and sickness. With a reputation for reducing skin inflammation and disorders, treating inflammatory disorders and protecting against diseases, flax seed oil supplements are gaining popularity among both veterinarians and pet lovers everywhere.
-
The Facts about Flax
-
Flax seed oil supplements contain flax seed oil (also called linseed oil). You can supplement your dog's diet by using the actual oil, ground flax seed or commercially available supplements. In any form, flax seed oil contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids like ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). ALA is metabolized in the body into EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) which have emerged in clinical studies as powerful anti-inflammatory agents, effective in treating chronic inflammatory conditions. Flax seed oil also provides an excellent source of soluble fiber, which can alleviate constipation. Additional benefits include a healthier coat and skin.
Benefits
-
Flax seed supplements may support your dog's healthy immune function, reduce intestinal parasites and treat allergies, kidney disease, heart disease, arthritis and even potentially shrink some tumors. Research is ongoing to determine the efficacy of flax seed supplements in treating these conditions. Since it is derived from food, flax seed oil is generally quite safe. Since supplements are largely unregulated, you should discuss supplementation with your veterinarian to ensure that you are getting a quality product and minimizing any risk of interaction or adverse reactions.
About the Omegas Found in Flax Seed Oil
-
The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids found in flax seed oil are responsible for reducing shedding, reducing inflammation and promoting healthy growth of your dog's undercoat. As clinical research continues, supplements like flax seed oil are gaining popularity in the prevention and treatment of various conditions like diabetic neuropathy, autoimmune disorders, idiopathic epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmia. The average dog's diet is too low in omega-3 fatty acids to reap the health benefits. Flax seed is among some of the most commonly used supplements in veterinary medicine.
Potential Drawbacks
-
One draw back to flax seed supplements is that your dog's body may have difficulty in converting ALA into EPA and DHA. Some pets (and people) do not metabolize the ALA in flax seeds as well as others, thereby reducing the anti-inflammatory benefits. If you are using flax seed supplements with little or no benefit, you may consider switching to fish oil supplements which provide a direct source of EPA and DHA. Flax seed oil does, however, contain more concentrated amounts of omega-3.
Considerations
-
Many pet foods on the market contain high amount of omega-6 fatty acids (from cereal grains) and not enough omega-3 fatty acids to be beneficial. You also need to be aware, for those which claim to be enriched with either flax or fish oils that both substances can oxidize or be destroyed in heat processing. This means that the extra supplementation in the food will pack little to no punch by the time it reaches your dog's bowl. This is why it is important to use high quality supplements like flax seed oil. Flax seed supplements are relatively inexpensive and can make a significant impact on the overall health and well being of your dog.
-