The Dirty on Fish Oils!

Let’s talk Omegas!

Let’s start with why dogs NEED omega 3’s
Omega fatty acids control inflammation and reduce the risks of many health issues.
They alleviate harmful effects of allergies & other conditions that result from an over reactive immune system.
They slow the growth of common yeast infections, aid proper development of retina & visual cortex, regulate blood clot activity, slow the development & spread of certain cancers. Benefit & help with cardiovascular disorders and neurological health. Also your main function of helping with osteoarthritis, inflammatory skin diseases and kidney disease.

So buy a bottle of omega 3 oil and be done with it right?
WRONG
The fish oil industry is a 1.2 billion dollar industry - not only is it not sustainable - but the omega 3’s that have the necessary DHA & EPA that is so important for immune and cognitive function; cannot be found in a bottle or a capsule.
Because when you open a bottle of oil, you expose the omegas to oxygen. Once exposed to oxygen (and over and over again) each time you open the bottle, it causes oxidative stress and oxidative damage. Once this oxidative stress causes the particles to break down, it starts to cause “Free Radicals”.
Free radicals are known to cause pre mature aging, damage to proteins, DNA and other cellular structure. Even causing inflammation in the body and certain cancers. Isn’t that why we were using the fish oils to begin with?!
Oxygen can even sneak through plastic bottle caps and those gel caplets, so most fish oils are already rancid and oxidized before you buy them!
NOT TO MENTION
Where the oil is coming from, bigger fish that are higher up the food chain can contain arsenic, mercury and lead in high levels, which can cause nervous system, liver and kidney damage!

So how do I get the benefits without the negatives?

FEED SMALL OILY FISH!
Small fish that are low on the food chain like sardines, smelts, Caplin, mackerel - do not contain carcinogenic toxins because their diet contains mostly plankton.
Frozen or canned being your best options. Even popular dried fish (including our freeze dried mackerel) while it contains the vitamins, lacks the necessary omegas.
These small fish are also packed with protein, calcium, niacin, zinc, antioxidants, vitamin D, vitamin B12, Vitamin E and vitamin K.

Safely fed 3 or 4 times per week!

Not to forget about essential omega 6’s that are needed for arachidonic acid and linolelic acid which improves the body’s ability to promote and repair skeletal and muscle tissue, stimulates growth of skin and fur, provides good bone health and regulates metabolism.

Luckily these are heavily found in poultries, eggs and seeds such as sesame, hemp, sunflower and chia. Your ratio goal should be around 4:1 but no lower than 2:1 Balance is key!