OMEGA THREE FATTY ACIDS

Did you know that skin diseases account for as much as 25% of the cases seen by small animal veterinarians.

Skin problems typically faced by pets and their owners include:

• itching
• dandruff
• blackheads
• odor
• crusting
• redness
• rashes
• oiliness

The nutritional aspect of skin disease is a very broad topic, too broad to address in this small article. There are true nutritional deficiencies which affect the skin and other skin diseases that can be made dramatically better through the use of supplementation.

It is helpful to know that because a condition responds to a nutrient, this does not necessarily mean that a deficiency of that nutrient is present.

Everyone wants their pet to have a lustrous beautiful coat and would like to do what it nutritionally possible to ensure this. Recently the Essential Fatty Acids have received a great deal of press. A brief primer follows.

WHAT IS A FATTY ACID?

Biochemically, a fatty acid is what we colloquially call “fat.” When we talk about different types of fatty acids we are talking about different types of fat. A fatty acid consists of a long carbon chain (say 20 or so carbons in length) with a biochemical acid group, called a "carboxyl group" at one end and a "methyl" group on the other end.

A fatty acid: a long chain of carbons with an acid group on one end.
The other carbon binding sites contain hydrogen molecules.
Because every carbon in the chain is bound, this fat is said to be "saturated."
(original graphic by marvistavet.com)

SATURATED VS. UNSATURATED

Each carbon has four binding sites. In the carbon chain, two sites will be taken up by other carbons (i.e. the two adjacent carbons on the chain). In a saturated fat, the other two sites are taken up by hydrogen atoms. Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature (like lard and butter) and are generally of animal origin. Saturated fats are generally burned as fuel by our bodies. An example of a saturated fatty acid is depicted in the above illustration.

Unsaturated fats have two adjacent carbons held together by a biochemical “double bond.” These fats are generally liquid at room temperature and are of plant origin (olive oil, corn oil etc.).

An unsaturated fatty acid has a double bond between two carbons in the chain.
Polyunsaturated fats have more than one double bond.
(original graphic by marvistavet.com)

Unsaturated fats can be classified as “omega three” fatty acids or “omega six” fatty acids, depending on the location of the double bond relative to the methyl group at the end of the chain. These types of fatty acids are Essential, meaning that our bodies cannot make them; instead, in order to get them we must eat them in our diet. These fats are not burned for fuel. Instead they are used as structural components.

The Omega six fatty acids are used as the main structural components in our cells. Omega three’s are used in the structure of the retina and central nervous system.

This long molecule is DHA (Docosahexanoic acid).
It is one of the omega 3 fatty acids to look for on a label.
Note there is a double bond on the third carbon from the end.
The double bond in this location makes DHA an omega three fatty acid.
If the first double bond had been on the 6th carbon from the end,
that would make for an omega 6 fatty acid.
(original graphic by marvistavet.com)

For healthy skin and coat, the diet must contain adequate omega six fatty acids as these make up the very surface of the skin.

Examples of Omega Six Fatty Acids (also called “n-6” fatty acids): Linoleic acid, gamma linolenic acid, and Arachadonic acid

An excellent source would be Evening Primrose oil.

Examples of Omega Three Fatty Acids (also called “n-3” fatty acids): Alpha linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosopentanoic acid (EPA), docosahexanoic acid (DHA)

An excellent source of DHA and EPA would be Cold Water Fish oils. An excellent source of ALA would be flax seed oil. DHA has anti-inflammatory properties which is why it is so frequently recommended in inflammatory conditions. Many people prefer to use flax seed oil as their omega 3 source because flax seed oil does not taste fishy and people readily convert ALA to DHA. This is great for people but it turns out that only pets are only able to convert about 10% of ALA to DHA so for pets, cold water fish oils are better. Fortunately, most dogs and cats like the fishy taste.

SHOULD WE SUPPLEMENT ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS?

There is no question that a diet must contain adequate omega 6 fatty acids to maintain optimal skin and coat quality. A diet found to be “complete and balanced” will have an amount of omega 6 fatty acids that should be optimal for a normal animal.  But there’s more.

OMEGA 6 FATTY ACIDS AND DANDRUFF

Research has shown that dogs with seborrhea (oily, dandruffy skin) have depleted amounts of omega 6 fatty acids in their skin despite eating a diet that should be optimal. When omega 6 fatty acids are supplemented, the seborrhea improves. This finding supports the old time remedy of adding a spoonful of corn oil to the diet to ensure a glossy coat. It should be realized that seborrhea is complex condition but animals with seborrhea may need more omega 6 fatty acids.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

And still more. Omega 6 fatty acids constitute our cell membranes. During assorted biochemical situations it becomes necessary to produce hormone-like substances called prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These substances are actually made from omega 6 fatty acids and the prostaglandins and leukotrienes that result are not necessarily good for us. In fact, these substances are responsible for itching and inflammation leading to the clinical skin problems listed above. One way to address this, is to supplement omega 3 fatty acids which become incorporated into cell membranes along with the omega 6’s. After a couple of months of supplementation, omega 3 fatty acids have infiltrated cell membranes significantly. When it comes time to make prostaglandins, the omega 3’s are mobilized instead of the omega 6’s only in this case, the prostaglandins that result are not inflammatory. When omega 3 fatty acids are supplemented, itching can be substantially reduced and even arthritis pain improved.

One problem with this is that no one really knows how much omega 3 fatty acid to supplement. There is some evidence that a ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids in the supplement is crucial. If this is so, clinical research becomes hugely complicated as the diets of pets cannot be standardized easily for study. If pets in a study eat different diets, then it is impossible to tell what overall omega 6: omega 3 ratio each is receiving. Essential fatty acids are being pursued as treatment for diseases of virtually every organ system; watch for new research developments in this area.

CONDITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BENEFIT FROM OMEGA 3 FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENTATION

• Renal (Kidney) Insufficiency
• Heart Failure
• Lymphoma
• Airborne Allergies

Research is continuing. We do know that mega 3 supplementation appears to be a very benign supplement with potential to do a great deal of good.

Page posted: 6/10/2019
Page last updated: 7/9/2021