Changes

==Why are they Important?==

==Why are they Important?==

Alpha-linolenic acid works in conjunction with linoleic acid (LA) to help maintain skin and hair coat quality;8 EPA is incorporated into the lipid bilayer of cell membranes along with arachidonic acid (AA) and may dampen inflammatory reactions;9 DHA is conditionally essential for normal brain and retinal development in puppies and kittens.2,10,11  

Alpha-linolenic acid works in conjunction with linoleic acid (LA) to help maintain skin and hair coat quality;8 EPA is incorporated into the lipid bilayer of cell membranes along with arachidonic acid (AA) and may dampen inflammatory reactions;9 DHA is conditionally essential for normal brain and retinal development in puppies and kittens.2,10,11  

Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are in competition for the same metabolic enzymes and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids as well as the total amount of each polyunsaturated fatty acid is an important consideration when evaluating dietary balance or when attempting to modify concentrations of these nutrients for health and disease management.

Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are in competition for the same metabolic enzymes and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids as well as the total amount of each polyunsaturated fatty acid is an important consideration when evaluating dietary balance or when attempting to modify concentrations of these nutrients for health and disease management.

Roles in the Body

 

==Roles in the Body==

Skin and Hair Coat: Epidermal keratinocytes secrete the LA-enriched phospholipid, ceramide, in both dogs and cats, which enhances cell cohesion and create an effective water barrier.12 Increased intake of ALA may blunt the conversion of LA to AA,1,4 allowing for more LA to be incorporated into ceramide. Ratios of LA:ALA of 2.6:1 to 26:1 has been proposed for optimal skin and coat health.13

Skin and Hair Coat: Epidermal keratinocytes secrete the LA-enriched phospholipid, ceramide, in both dogs and cats, which enhances cell cohesion and create an effective water barrier.12 Increased intake of ALA may blunt the conversion of LA to AA,1,4 allowing for more LA to be incorporated into ceramide. Ratios of LA:ALA of 2.6:1 to 26:1 has been proposed for optimal skin and coat health.13

Inflammation: Eicosapentaenoic acid is incorporated into cellular membrane and competes with AA for cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes. Inflammatory eicosanoids produced from EPA (series-3 prostaglandins prostaglandins, prostycyclins and thromboxanes and series-5 leukotrienes) are less pro-inflammatory than those produced from AA metabolism .13 Though not considered an essential fatty acid, increased intake of EPA in conjunction with a decrease in AA intake has been suggested as an aid in the management of inflammatory condition such as allergic dermatitis,14 nephritis,15 and osteoarthritis16 in dogs. Supplementation of EPA has also been shown to be beneficial in older healthy dogs17,18 as well as those with heart disease.19 Supplementation with higher levels of EPA in people undergoing cancer treatment may also result in a decrease in circulating IL-6 levels and improvement in lean body mass and appetite.20, 21  This specific effect of EPA on lean body mass and appetite has not been studied in dogs and cats, but EPA supplementation may be beneficial to help decrease inflammation secondary to radiation therapy in dogs with nasal tumours.22 Additionally, dogs with lymphoma (stage 3a) had an improvement in short-term survival when fed a diet supplemented with EPA and DHA among other nutrient modifications.23 These effects have not been demonstrated in cats or in dogs with other types of cancers.

Inflammation: Eicosapentaenoic acid is incorporated into cellular membrane and competes with AA for cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes. Inflammatory eicosanoids produced from EPA (series-3 prostaglandins prostaglandins, prostycyclins and thromboxanes and series-5 leukotrienes) are less pro-inflammatory than those produced from AA metabolism .13 Though not considered an essential fatty acid, increased intake of EPA in conjunction with a decrease in AA intake has been suggested as an aid in the management of inflammatory condition such as allergic dermatitis,14 nephritis,15 and osteoarthritis16 in dogs. Supplementation of EPA has also been shown to be beneficial in older healthy dogs17,18 as well as those with heart disease.19 Supplementation with higher levels of EPA in people undergoing cancer treatment may also result in a decrease in circulating IL-6 levels and improvement in lean body mass and appetite.20, 21  This specific effect of EPA on lean body mass and appetite has not been studied in dogs and cats, but EPA supplementation may be beneficial to help decrease inflammation secondary to radiation therapy in dogs with nasal tumours.22 Additionally, dogs with lymphoma (stage 3a) had an improvement in short-term survival when fed a diet supplemented with EPA and DHA among other nutrient modifications.23 These effects have not been demonstrated in cats or in dogs with other types of cancers.

Growth: Docosapentaenoic acid is taken up by brain and retinal tissues where it is converted to DHA. Docosahexaenoic acid is incorporated into retinal rods and brain tissue,2,10 and is conditionally essential for normal brain and retinal development.

Growth: Docosapentaenoic acid is taken up by brain and retinal tissues where it is converted to DHA. Docosahexaenoic acid is incorporated into retinal rods and brain tissue,2,10 and is conditionally essential for normal brain and retinal development.

Consequences of Omega-3 Deficiency

 

==Consequences of Omega-3 Deficiency==

a. Growth: Puppies fed DHA deficient diets will grow normally, but show poor response to learned behaviour and visual acuity tests compared with puppies fed diets enriched with DHA.2,10  Kittens fed DHA deficient diets during gestation and lactation also have poor retinal and visual development.11

a. Growth: Puppies fed DHA deficient diets will grow normally, but show poor response to learned behaviour and visual acuity tests compared with puppies fed diets enriched with DHA.2,10  Kittens fed DHA deficient diets during gestation and lactation also have poor retinal and visual development.11

b. Adult Maintenance: Clinical signs of ALA deficiency in adult dogs and cats are similar to LA deficiency (i.e., seborrheic dermatitis), but are relatively mild and easy to miss.13

b. Adult Maintenance: Clinical signs of ALA deficiency in adult dogs and cats are similar to LA deficiency (i.e., seborrheic dermatitis), but are relatively mild and easy to miss.13