Question
Do hydrogenated oils in horse feeds lead to increased inflammation and possibly arthritis?
Answer
Inflammation is an important physiological response; however, it can become a problem when it is chronic and uncontrolled. Arthritis is an inflammation-associated condition, but many factors can contribute to the development of arthritis in horses of any age.
In human nutrition, certain diets have been classified as “inflammatory,” such as the Western diet (high-fat, highly processed foods), or “anti-inflammatory,” such as the Mediterranean diet. Caution should be used when considering diet as the only factor in modifying health outcomes and applying these relationships to equine diets.
In human diets, overconsumption of hydrogenated fats can be a health concern, as trans fatty acids produced during the hydrogenation process of vegetable oils have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These trans fatty acids are often consumed at high intakes from fried foods.
Hydrogenated fats are not a common fat source in horse diets as the solid nature of hydrogenated oils limits their use as a feed ingredient. They have special applications, such as use in weight-gain supplements or as a protective coating of some buffers, but these products are designed to be fed in small quantities. The use of hydrogenated oils in equine nutrition does not cause the same health concerns as in human diets.
Adding fat to horse diets has been extensively studied with many advantages, from improving skin and coat health to adding a concentrated source of highly digestible calories. Vegetable oils (liquid at room temperature) such as soybean oil, corn oil, and canola oil are commonly used fat sources in equine diets, providing essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Other dietary fat sources include stabilized rice bran, flaxseed, and full-fat soybeans. When selecting a fat supplement or high-fat feed make sure it contains stabilized rice bran and not raw rice bran.
Certain feedstuffs may exacerbate inflammatory-associated conditions, and others may help to reduce inflammation. When evaluating feeds or diets, it is important to consider the total amount being fed and how much it contributes to the total daily intake of that nutrient or constituent.
Recent research has highlighted the benefits of certain fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) as health supplements, rather than calorie sources, to support a stronger immune response and reduce markers of inflammation. Supplementing these fatty acids to horses suffering from inflammatory-associated conditions support wellness by supplying a direct source of these fatty acids and modifying the fatty acid profile of both the diet and key body tissues.
