OMEGA 6 - Can it cause health problems for cats?
Q. - I have read that the omega 6 essential fatty acid can cause inflammation and many health problems for cats. Is that true?
A. - Omega 6 plays an important role in intercellular health. Unfortunately, only omega 6 is approved by AAFCO as an essential fatty acid for animals. We are hoping that this will change soon because new studies have confirmed that the proper ratio of omega 6 and omega 3 is critical to cat and dog health.
Furthermore, many of the problems seen in animals today have to do with inflammation primarily caused by an excess of Omega 6 fatty acids in their diet. When the intake of omega 6 essential fatty acids is too high, the body if thrown into a pro-inflammatory state. Inflammation occurs and the body becomes prone to allergies, chronic disease, and low energy levels. Too much omega 6 may even cause the growth of certain cancerous cells. All of this weakens the overall immune system. The typical ratios of omega 6 to omega 3 in regular pet diets can be as high as 30-40:1. Only in the last few have years has the ratio been improved in some pet foods to 20-10:1.
Omega 3 shows wonderful anti-inflammatory properties by itself. When balanced properly with omega 6, it provides great health benefits to both animals and humans. In the last few years, many studies have been done. These studies suggest that the body's optimal balance between omega 6 (linoleic) and omega 3 (linolenic) fatty acids is somewhere between 4:1 and 2:1.
Our supplements provide two and one-half (2 1/2) times more of omega 3 than omega 6 bringing this improper ratio of omega 6 and omega 3 from 10:1 in a regular daily pet diet down to 4:1 of omega 6 to omega 3
