Definitions for "Omega-3 Fatty Acids"
an essential fatty acid important in the management of heart disease.
A type of fatty acid found in large quantities in oily fish such as herring, kippers, mackerel, pilchards, sardines, salmon, fresh tuna, trout and anchovies. Eating foods containing omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent blood clotting and help reduce triglyceride levels.
Omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the constituents of fish oils that act as anti-inflammatory agents. These may be worth trying for a dog that has an autoimmune disorder or arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids come in varied forms from salmon oil to capsules of concentrated EPA. Alternatively, flax seeds, flax oil, or hemp oil can be used as a dietary supplement rather than fish oils. These materials reduce the platelet function for a brief period in dogs, but it seems that dogs compensate for this within about eight weeks. Omega-3 fatty acids replace the 2-series fatty acids over time, and cellular stimulation will instead produce 3-series prostaglandins and thromboxanes. The 3-series do not cause inflammation and reduce blood flow like the 2-series thromboxanes.