Following are selected posts to the Holisticat (TM) Mailing List on the subject of oils and esssential fatty acids (EFAs). There's a lot of information here, and the posts are arranged in ascending chronological order. If there is a particular word you're looking for, it's probably best to utilize the "Find in Page" function in your edit menu!

Happy hunting :)

<26 Jul 1998 From katseven Re  Fish oil for Omega 3?>

<<Any info or experience about feeding straight fish oil (salmon) to provide omega 3? Quantities, results, etc.?>>

Hi Jean & List,

I just read something concerning this in _Love, Miracles, and Animal Healing_ pp. 189-90:

"The best sources of these [fish] oils, known as 'omega-3 fatty acids,' are herring, salmon, bluefish, and tuna. [I thought tuna was bad for cats!!!]  Fish oil can also be obtained through supplements, but I don't recommend this approach unless you pursue it under the watchful eye of your veterinarian.  It's too easy to ingest an overdose of omega-3 oils through pills, which could put your pet at risk for internal bleeding. But taken in judicious amounts through the diet these fish oils may protect your cat or dog against heart disease and high blood pressure, ease the discomforts of arthritis...."

Schoen (the author, a dvm & holistic/allo vet) doesn't say where he got the info. and he doesn't give dosage info--just says when you prepare fish for yourself, give your cat/dog a small portion.  (Also this book has no index #@*&!)

Susan

Susan,

<<"The best sources of these [fish] oils, known as 'omega-3 fatty acids,' are herring, salmon, bluefish, and tuna. [I thought tuna was bad for  cats!!!]>>

I think CANNED tuna is not good. I talked to Dr. Basko, who was also mentoned in Dr. Shoen's book, about tuna. He said the fresh tuna FISH is ok, but not the CANNED one. And if you over feed Omega 3 to your pets or even to your self, this good omega 3 will deplete the body reserves of Vitamin E used to stabilize these highly reactive oil molecules.

This information was taken from Lipid Nutition by Dr. Wysong. The references are R.A. Riemersma " Fish and the heart " Lancet, PP 1450, December 16, 1989, and "Fish Oils and diabetic microvascular disease " Lancet, PP 509, March 3, 1990 I use "pre-mixed" omega 3,6,9 and vitamin E supplement for my dogs and cats.

   -- Yumi

Forwarded with permission. This should keep ya'll up late tonite :)

<quote>
there is unpublished evidence (actually, it has been published in some proceedings not available on Medline) that omega-6
fatty acids may accelerate degeneration of kidneys in an induced glomerulonephritis model, while omega-3 fatty acids can slow this progression.  All of my kidney failure cases get fish oil...
---
Actually, now that I read this again, I did not mean to say induced glomerulonephritis model - that's different - I meant to say induced renal failure.

Susan W., DVM
<end quote>

Vick, Skippy, Sam, (Mad) Max and Jezebel

<<I buy flax seeds whole and grind enough for 3-4 days. Actually, that's  past tense. I took my in-laws' dobie to the local holistic vet Friday  and spoke w/ the vet about my cats, too. He said cats don't get as much  value from flax seeds or their oil because they do better w/ meat-based  sources.>>

It does make some sense that cats would do better with a meat based source, but could you go into a little more detail with this as he explained it concerning the flax oil?  Giddy, on the advice of a holistic vet, is getting 1/4 tsp. per day and I've seen a nice improvement in his coat, but he's also getting cod liver oil, so am not sure which is responsible for it.  It's a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids and Vit. E; used in conjunction with cod liver oil (which has Vit. A & D) it provides a nice mix of vitamins and EFAs.

Leah

<< I'm curious, too, about whether or not all EFAs have the same healing properties that flax does. Anyone know? Cause Kashmir gets salmon body oil regularly as part of her food. Should I add flax on top of that? I have some -- does anyone know how long the seeds last in the fridge?>>

Another list I'm on has quite a few humans who take flax seed regularly. The seeds last a long time in the refrigerator or freezer, but the oil doesn't last long without becoming rancid. The people who use it say they grind a small amount every day and eat that (only the amount they need for that day, usually a couple of tablespoons). Apparently you have to grind the seeds or they just pass through your digestive system intact and don't do any good.

Judy

wordlady@interlog.com writes:
<< Lecithin is a valuable phosphorus-containing fatty acid which helps to  emulsify fatty wastes, thus aiding in their elimination from the body. I  don't believe lecithin is a good source of B vitamins, though - but I stand  to be corrected!  >>

Lecithin consists mostly of the B vitamin choline, and also linoleic acid and inositol.  Most lecithin is derived from soybeans, but the other sources can be brewer's yeast, grains, legumes, fish and wheat germ.

Elaine, N.D.

Hi Tammy and list

<<I am going to switch my cats from veggie EFA's to salmon oil as per conversations with Feline Future, they claim that cats can't utilize>>

In Canada I'm able to buy Jamieson's Salmon Oil, 1000mg caps which deliver Standardized 18% EPA, 12% DHA Complex (omega 3's). I just get it at the drugstore. Most health food stores here carry some type of fish oil. I understand Wysong makes an EFA for cats sold as Wysong Oil or some name like that, but I'm not certain of all the ingredients. Have you tried
http://www.mothernature.com through the Holisticat website? Or http://www.vitaminshoppe.com might carry it; also http://www.homevet.com sells Omega-3 oil, 100 caps for $5.95 or 200 for $10.95, delivering the same percentages as Jamieson's.

Good luck!
Jean, Saski Basket & That-Amber