March 2007 - Health e-Letter

Our “complete” premium equine supplement -- Six free Omega Grande®
to be given away in our March “Luck o’ the Irish” contest!

• Each order placed during the Month of March gives you a separate chance to win. *
• Place an Omega Fields’ order now for your chance to win free Omega Grande®
• 1 each 50 lb bag Omega Grande® will be shipped free of charge to 6 lucky winners.*

*Each order equals one entry. Contest ends midnight, March 31, 2007 Central Time. Six randomly drawn winners will be notified April 2, 2007. See the lucky winners listed on our website – www.omegafields.com -- April 3, 2007. Free Omega Grande will be shipped week of April 2, 2007.

This month we’re giving away six free Omega Grande® -- sharing some interesting facts and myths about the St. Patrick’s Day -- and checking out Good Measures that get Good Results!

• The national flower of Ireland is the Shamrock. The Shamrock is 3 leafed (as the Irish tale goes, St. Patrick used this stem to explain the concept of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.)
• A 4 leafed clover is rare and therefore is considered “lucky”. It's not an easy task actually finding a four-leaf clover, considering on average there are 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every true four-leaf one.
• Kissing a Blarney Stone signifies luck. A Blarney Stone is an actual stone set in the wall of Blarney Castle Tower in Blarney, Ireland.
• Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is a custom created by American marketing. The color green was actually considered unlucky in Ireland.

Contests are fun, but we all know that it isn’t luck alone that consistently gets good results – it’s good measures … “Good measures get Good results”.

Making smart informed dietary choices and getting sufficient exercise are good measures that get good results -- results that keep us and our two and four legged loved ones healthy and protected from debilitating disease!

Let’s take a “good” look at good measures that get good results.

Hello, I am sending pictures of our TB gelding, Junior Executive. The before picture is when we brought him home, July 2006.; The "after" picture is taken October 2006. No one can believe he's the same horse! Or that he is a Thoroughbred, everyone says he's "So Big"! Thanks Omega Horseshine!!! We use your product on all of our horses, and they look great, too.
- Karen Comeaux

Feed Stabilized Ground Flax (Omega Horseshine®) every day to help your horse receive the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Stabilized Ground Flax is a natural source of energy, fat, and fiber for horses. Regular feeding has been shown to be very beneficial to horses.

Stabilized Ground Flax is a source of gel-forming soluble fiber and non-soluble roughage, which help prevent or eliminate colic, a major killer of horses. Each 1 cup serving provides approximately 27g of dietary fiber.

Colic is not a specific disease. It is an indicator of abdominal pain. Colic occurs in indigestion, intestinal spasm, impactions, constipation, intestinal obstructions, feed toxicities, migratory worm infections, peritonitis and dozens of other conditions, including diseases of the stomach, liver, ovaries, uterus, kidneys and bladder. Impaction is a common cause of colic. Most impactions are diet related – the horse consuming poor-quality or improperly masticated feed. Water deprivation is another cause. When the soluble fiber in stabilized ground flax combines with liquid it forms a gel. Sand and other particles that may contribute to colic collect in this gel and are carried out of your horse’s body.

Stabilized Ground Flax is a low carbohydrate source of oil and roughage, providing energy and soluble, gel forming fiber without increasing the carbohydrate load. Flax improves hoof health and helps protect your horse from laminitis (founder).

Just sharing a photo of Goldie playing out in the snow!!! Melissa Elkin

Laminitis is a metabolic and vascular disease that involves the inner sensitive structures of the feet. The disease begins when bacterial endotoxins and lactic acid are released into the bloodstream, a condition called endotoxemia. Endotoxins and lactic acid dilate the large digital arteries to the feet, increasing blood flow while at the same time causing intense constriction of the small capillary vessels that nourish the laminae. The result is a large volume of blood going down to the feet but shunted around the laminae. Thus deprived of blood and oxygen, the laminae swell. Because the hoof is rigid, the swelling compresses the laminae and causes further compromise. Unless the situation is not relieved, the sensitive inner structure of the feet will die.

The most common cause of acute founder is the rapid consumption of excess quantities of carbohydrate – well beyond the daily amounts normally consumed by the horse. The carbohydrate load in the intestinal tract alters the bacterial balance within the cecum, indirectly leading to the release of lactic acid and endotoxins.

Stabilized Ground Flax contains approximately 40% oil. Flax seed meal, by contrast, has most of the fat removed during processing. Stabilized Ground Flax not only helps make your horse’s coat shine, it also helps reduce comb-out time. Horse owners who feed flax daily for 6 to 8 weeks report that comb out time is significantly reduced.

Stabilized Ground Flax has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Horse owners have told us they feed flax specifically to ease joint pain for their horses. A healthier, calmer horse performs well and is a pleasure to be around.

Flax is approximately 20% protein, helping to build muscle and body tissue. Each cup of Stabilized Ground Flax for horses provides approximately 20 g of protein.

One of the safest ways to supplement your horse with the benefits of Stabilized Ground Flax Seed is with Omega Horseshine® -- stabilized whole ground flaxseed that tastes great and is easy to serve. Our proprietary stabilization technology locks in nutrition and guarantees 12-month freshness!

Good Measures to get Good Results for your Horse contains some information garnered from: http://www.valleyflax.com/default.asp?mn=1.1606.1620

People are enjoying the benefits of taking Omega-3 supplementation for everything from brain health to heart health…so how do Omega-3s fare for our beloved dog and cat companions?

A daily dose of Omega-3 given to your pet can be just the ticket for supporting healthy skin, coat, joints, brain, heart, eye health, as well as the pet’s energy level!

Though some pet diets may include some Omega-3 fatty acids, virtually none include satisfactory amounts of these most important Omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, many pet foods contain primarily Omega-6 fatty acids from vegetable oils resulting in a highly unbalanced ratio of Omega-6s to Omega-3s. Research indicates that a ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 of 1:1 to 5:1 is optimal for dogs and therefore supplementing with high quality Omega-3 from stabilized ground flax and fish oil supports pet health.

Choosing high quality, Omega-3 rich stabilized ground flax and fish oil with exceptional stability and freshness is key to supporting pet health which leads to a happy, long life. One of the safest and most convenient ways to supplement your dog with this Omega-3 essential fatty acid is to use Omega Canine Shine sprinkled daily over your dog’s food (it has wonderful stickability!) or you’re your love with Omega Nuggets dog treats.

And isn’t that every pet owner’s goal, for their beloved pet to live a long, happy and healthy life?

Good Measures to get Good Results for your Pets contains some information garnered from: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050802 Don’t Forget Rover and Felix…Omega-3 Fatty Acids Are Important for Our Pet Companions Too

A lack of healthy fats can actually cause children to become overweight, according to a study published online by the Swedish Research Council.

Researchers based at the Sahlgrenska Academy at Goteborg University studied the lifestyle, dietary habits and insulin levels of a group of four-year-old children, and correlated these factors with measurements of Body Mass Index (BMI). According to the BMI measurements, 23 percent of the children were overweight and another 2 percent were obese. Surprisingly, however, the children with the healthier BMIs actually had higher fat intake than the overweight children. The difference was that the less overweight children were consuming more unsaturated fats, omega-3s in particular.

Researchers also noted a correlation between insulin levels, weight gain, and fat consumption. The children with the highest weight gain had the highest levels of insulin in their blood. By contrast, girls who consumed the most unsaturated fats were those with the lowest insulin levels.

The direction of causal relationships, if any, was not clear. Lead researcher Malin Haglund Garemo said that the increase in insulin might actually be causing the obesity, in contrast with "the common perception that fat causes increased insulin production."

"There is no question that plant-based dietary fats actually promote healthy body weight," said Mike Adams, author of "The Food Timing Diet."

"Fat intake from flaxseeds, avocados, macadamia nuts, olive oil and other plant sources is extremely healthy and even protective against cancer, diabetes, heart disease and many other conditions. But fats from animal products are dangerous and even deadly to human health," Adams said.

Researchers found that the children studied received 25 percent of their daily calories from junk foods. Their daily fruit and vegetable intake was only 35 percent of the recommended values.

Tip the balance in your children’s favor by mixing Mega Omega®or Simply Omega-3 in a delicious fruit smoothie, hot or cold cereal, cottage cheese, juice of your choice, yogurt or pudding, or their favorite ice cream. OR use them in baking and cooking.They contain the best tasting, stabilized ground flax seed as a rich source of Omega-3 on the market.

Call (toll-free) 1-800-962-9536 ext 105 for free copy of our easy and fun recipes using Mega Omega® or Simply Omega-3. Do it for your children – and yourself!

Omega-3 and weight loss – more support - contains information garnered from: www.newstarget.com

My doctor told me to start taking Omega-3 fatty acids supplements. He said it would lower my risk for heart attack. Can you please explain how Omega-3 supplements will help?

We will take this opportunity to provide as many facts as possible about the fatty acids and let you make your own decision, as there is not a single non-disputable answer to this question.

Omega-3 fatty acid is a form of fatty acid. A chemical bond determines if the fatty acid is saturated or unsaturated. Fatty acids serve as energy for the muscles, heart and other organs; they help build the cell membranes and energy storage for the body.

Saturated fat eaten in excess can raise the cholesterol level and increase the risk of heart disease. Foods high in saturated fat are butter, lard, whole milk, cream, eggs, red meat, chocolate and solid shortenings. It is believed that unsaturated fats lower the LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and lower the risk of heart disease. Foods high in unsaturated fats are avocados, nuts and olives, peanut and canola oils. Polyunsaturated fatty foods are vegetable oils, corn, sunflower and soy.

Fatty acids are essential to the body for metabolic functioning. They are called essential because the body cannot produce these acids so we must consume it in our food. There are two forms of polyunsaturated Omega acids, Omega-3 and Omega-6. An appropriate balance between the two works together to promote health by playing a crucial role in brain functions as well as growth and development. Omega-3 acids reduce inflammation and Omega -6 promotes inflammation.

The typical American diet contains a higher amount of Omega-6 than Omega-3. This imbalance is what researchers believe is a factor in the rising rate of inflammatory diseases in United States. The Mediterranean diet consists of a balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. The diet emphasizes foods rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, flax seeds, olive oil, garlic and moderate wine consumption.

Specific foods high in Omega-3 are salmon, halibut, sardines, albacore, trout, herring, walnut, flax seed, canola oil, shrimp, light chunk tuna, catfish, cod and spinach. Omega-6 foods are corn, safflower, sunflower, soybean and cottonseed oil.

There are many over-the-counter supplements, including fish oil capsules, flax oil capsules and stabilized ground flax supplements. We might suggest our premium formulas for a very safe, convenient and good tasting way to supplement your diet with these powerful Omega-3s -- Mega Omega®& Simply Omega-3.

The only side effect to watch with the Omega fatty acid supplements is that you need to be cautious not to overdo taking the supplement, if you bruise easily, have a bleeding disorder, or take a blood-thinning medication – as Omega-3 is a natural blood thinner. As always check with your doctor or nutritionist to make sure it’s right for you. Also, fish oil can cause flatulence and diarrhea.

Benefits:

• This all-in-one supplement for -- Omega-3 – Antioxidants – Vitamins – Minerals – Biotin -- is what you are looking for!
• Are you tired of too many supplements in your tack room?
• Omega Grande® will make your horse healthier, make your life easier and keep your tack room neater!
• Healthy skin and coat
• Excellent thick-walled hoof growth
• Dense energy source
• Psyllium husk replacement for sand colic
• Diamond V Yeast probiotic
• Biotin
• Balanced vitamins and minerals from KER
• Extra Antioxidants help fight free radicals for longer healthier life
• A healthy horse = lower vet bills