What is Flaxseed Oil?
Flaxseed oil or linseed oil comes from the seeds of the flax plant. Many people take flax seeds as an alternative to fish oil supplements. Flaxseed oil contains a higher concentration of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) than fish oil, and unlike fish oil, also contains omega-6 fatty acids.
ALA is an omega3 fatty acid that is converted by the body into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in some species. EPA and DHA greatly help the management of chronic inflammation and immune disorders.
Flaxseed Oil and Metabolism
Flaxseed oil has been used for years by top breeders for healthy skin and coat maintenance in pets. In research studies however, it does not appear as effective as fish oil in treating the inflammation associated with diseases such as allergies, arthritis, kidney disease, heart disease and as well as shrink some tumors
Dogs and cats are the pets and animals that are most commonly given flaxseed oil supplements.
To the extent that your cat or pet can metabolize ALA to EPA and DHA, your cat or pet with mild allergies or arthritis will may also show an improvement when give flaxseed oil as a supplement. Flaxseed oil supplements can also reduce suspect-ability to intestinal parasites and help prevent constipation.
Like fish oil, flaxseed oil is used to treat chronic inflammatory disorders. Fish oil is a direct source of EPA and DHA whereas the ALA within flax seed oil must be converted into DHA
and EPA. There are some species of dogs and cats that cannot efficiently convert ALA into the more active non-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), as mentioned above. And as a result, the anti-inflammatory effects of flaxseed oil may not be as strong as the anti-inflammatory effects of fish oil.
Does Flaxseed Have Side Effects?
Flaxseed oil is very safe. Toxicity has not been reported.
Keep in mind though that some cats and pets can develop seborrhoea oleosa, characterized by large flakes of dandruff and an oily coat, in response to fatty acid supplementation. If his is the case for your pet, decrease the amount of oil you are supplementing their diet.
Flaxseed oil should always be kept in the fridge to prevent rancidity.
Where Do I Get High Quality Flaxseed Oil for Cats and Other Pets
A prescription from a veterinarian is not needed when purchasing flaxseed oil. Because some pets cannot metabolism flaxseed oil as well as fish oil, you should purchase a flaxseed oil for cats and other pets that contains a blend of healthy essential fats.
We highly recommend Wysong EFA with Fish Oil Liquid. It comes in a liquid dispense bottle that you can easily squeeze for ease of use.
The ingredients in Wysong EFA with Fish Oil Liquid are cold-processed fish oil, pumpkin seed oil, cold-processed flax seed oil, perilla oil, rice bran oil, and borage oil.
Click Here to Learn More about Wysong EFA with Fish Oil Liquid
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