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File:Omega 3.jpg|Role of omega-3 fatty acids in the body<br>© Diffomédia/Masure

File:Omega 3.jpg|Role of omega-3 fatty acids in the body

File:Omega inflammation.jpg|EPA and AA compete for COX and LOX enzymes

File:Omega inflammation.jpg|EPA and AA compete for COX and LOX enzymes

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==Consequences of Omega-3 Deficiency==

==Consequences of Omega-3 Deficiency==

#'''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.<ref name="Zicker" /><ref name="Heinemann" />  Kittens fed DHA deficient diets during gestation and lactation also have poor retinal and visual development.<ref name="Pawlosky11" />

#'''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.<ref name="Zicker" /><ref name="Heinemann" />  Kittens fed DHA deficient diets during gestation and lactation also have poor retinal and visual development.<ref name="Pawlosky11" />

#'''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.<ref name="NRC" />

#'''Adult Maintenance''': Clinical signs of ALA deficiency in adult dogs and cats are similar to LA deficiency (i.e. [[Seborrhea|seborrheic dermatitis]]), but are relatively mild and easy to miss.<ref name="NRC" />

==Toxicity==

==Toxicity==

Excess intake of ALA without a concurrent increase in LA resulting in a ratio below 2.6:1 (LA:ALA) may interfere with LA uptake into ceramide and the conversion of LA to AA,<ref name ="Zicker" /> but toxicity studies are lacking.  

Excess intake of ALA without a concurrent increase in LA resulting in a ratio below 2.6:1 (LA:ALA) may interfere with LA uptake into ceramide and the conversion of LA to AA,<ref name ="Zicker" /> but toxicity studies are lacking.  

Excess EPA intake can cause [[Platelet Abnormalities|platelet abnormalities]] and bleeding disorders in cats,<ref>Saker KE, ''et al''. (1998) '''Manipulation of dietary (n-6) and (n-3) ratio fatty acids alters platelet function in cats. '''''J Nutr ''1998;128:2845S-2647S</ref> though this effect has not been demonstrated in dogs<ref>Boudreaux ML, ''et al.'' (1997)''' The effects of varying dietary n-6 to n-3 fatty acids ratios on platelet reactivity, coagulation screening assays, and antithrombin II activity in dogs.''''' JAAHA ''1997;33:235-243.</ref>. Dogs fed excessive amounts of the omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, EPA and DHA, have shown impaired wound healing<ref>Mooney MA, ''et al.'' (1998)''' Evaluation of the effects of omega-3 fatty acid containing diets on the inflammatory stage of wound healing in dogs. '''''AJVR ''1998;59:859-863.</ref><ref>Scardino MS, ''et al.'' (1999)''' The effects of omega-3 fatty acid diet enrichment on wound healing. '''''Vet Derm ''1999;10:283-290. </ref> as well as impaired cellular immunity.<ref name="Wander">Wander RC, ''et al''. (1997)''' The ratio of dietary (n-6) to (n-3) fatty acids influences immune system function, eicosanoid metabolism, lipid peroxidation and vitamin E status in aged dogs.''''' J Nutr ''1997;127:1198-1205.</ref>

Excess EPA intake can cause [[Platelet Abnormalities|platelet abnormalities]] and [[:Category:Haemostasis and Bleeding Disorders|bleeding disorders]] in cats,<ref>Saker KE, ''et al''. (1998) '''Manipulation of dietary (n-6) and (n-3) ratio fatty acids alters platelet function in cats. '''''J Nutr ''1998;128:2845S-2647S</ref> though this effect has not been demonstrated in dogs<ref>Boudreaux ML, ''et al.'' (1997)''' The effects of varying dietary n-6 to n-3 fatty acids ratios on platelet reactivity, coagulation screening assays, and antithrombin II activity in dogs.''''' JAAHA ''1997;33:235-243.</ref>. Dogs fed excessive amounts of the omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, EPA and DHA, have shown impaired wound healing<ref>Mooney MA, ''et al.'' (1998)''' Evaluation of the effects of omega-3 fatty acid containing diets on the inflammatory stage of wound healing in dogs. '''''AJVR ''1998;59:859-863.</ref><ref>Scardino MS, ''et al.'' (1999)''' The effects of omega-3 fatty acid diet enrichment on wound healing. '''''Vet Derm ''1999;10:283-290. </ref> as well as impaired [[Innate Immunity Cellular Responses|cellular immunity]].<ref name="Wander">Wander RC, ''et al''. (1997)''' The ratio of dietary (n-6) to (n-3) fatty acids influences immune system function, eicosanoid metabolism, lipid peroxidation and vitamin E status in aged dogs.''''' J Nutr ''1997;127:1198-1205.</ref>

==Dietary Sources==

==Dietary Sources==

<references />

<references />

[[Category:Fatty Acids]]

[[Category:Fatty Acids]]