Knocking Out Inflammation in Horses with Omega-3s

As rich sources of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, high-quality marine-derived supplements support osteoarthritis and asthma, two common performance-limiting ailments of horses. New research shows that the benefits of DHA and EPA supplementation, most notably the anti-inflammatory effects, occur 60 days after initiating supplementation in horses.^*

Researchers at Lincoln Memorial University chose 20 healthy horses for the study. Ten horses consumed a commercial supplement that contained 8.82 grams of EPA and 5.25 grams of DHA daily for 90 days, and 10 horses served as unsupplemented controls during the same timeframe.

Samples of blood, joint fluid, and pulmonary surfactant (a mixture of fats and proteins found on the surface of the lungs at the air-liquid interface) were collected at baseline (day 0) as well as days 30, 60, and 90. Samples were analyzed for polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, which include DHA, EPA, and related molecules contained in minute spheres of fat called glycerophosphocholines (GPC). These molecules circulate throughout the body acting on anti-inflammatory molecules, such as oxylipins. As lipid mediators, oxylipins are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including termination of inflammation pathways.

Researchers found that DHA and EPA supplementation augmented levels of GPCs in joint fluid and pulmonary surfactant. Omega-3 supplementation, therefore, “has the potential to improve the ability of anti-inflammatory mechanisms to resolve anti-inflammatory pathways in these critical compartments involved in arthritis and asthma,” according to the researchers. Of note, the incorporation of DHA and EPA into GPCs did not occur until 60 days after supplementation was initiated.

“Certain omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA, are well-known for their anti-inflammatory effects, and are particularly useful for horses with osteoarthritis and asthma,” said Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a nutrition advisor for Kentucky Equine Research.

“The levels of DHA and EPA used to supplement the diets in the research study are achievable with EO-3, a marine-derived oil created by Kentucky Equine Research, as the product contains almost 9.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per ounce (30 mL),” she added. “EO-3 undergoes advanced distillation and flavor-testing to produce a highly palatable product suitable for all horses to boost health and wellness.”

Recent studies conducted at KER highlighted the benefits of supplementing with a marine-derived omega-3 fatty acid, including its superiority to plant-based sources and its usefulness as an anti-inflammatory for high-performance horses.

^*Christmann, U., C.L. Courtney, C.M. Poole, A.L. Emery, J.R. Poovey, C. Hagg, E.A. Mattson, J.J. Scarborough, J.S. Christopher, A.T. Dixon, D.J. Craney, and P.L. Wood. 2021. Dynamics of DHA and EPA supplementation: incorporation into equine plasma, synovial fluid, and surfactant glycerophosphocholines. Metabolomics 17(5):41.