Horse Health Product Horseshine Omega 3 Flax Feed Supplement by Omega Fields

I just read in MedScape of a urological study involving the use of ENRECO® Flaxseed for patients with prostate cancer. I would like to know where to purchase the same product as used. I would also like to know where to obtain this product. Thank you, M. Aronson Thank you for your email and your interest in the ENRECO® stabilized ground flax seed used in Duke University's urological study for patients with prostate cancer. We are very pleased to have a long-term association with Dr. Wendy Demark-Wahnefreid and Duke University regarding prostate cancer prevention research -- relevant to so many men and their families in these times.

Simply Omega-3™ is the same stabilized ground flax that was used by the men in Duke University's urological study for patients with prostate cancer. Simply Omega-3™ is our pure stabilized, ground, fortified flax seed supplement - with 2500 mg of Omega-3 per 15 grams (2 Tablespoons) serving. Simply Omega-3™has the highest Omega-3 amount per serving. Note: 30 grams was the amount that was recommended in the Duke University Study to help reduce the tumor size and/or help prevent prostate cancer.

Mega Omega® is our supplement formula using stabilized ground flax, plant and vitamin based antioxidants, and minerals.

Simply Omega-3™ and Mega Omega® . They can be mixed in a fruit smoothie, hot or cold cereal, cottage cheese, juice of your choice, yogurt or pudding, or ice cream AND you can use them in baking and cooking. You can take advantage of quantity discounts when purchasing 6 each or 12 each 1 lb pouches of Simply Omega-3™ or Mega Omega®.

You can have confidence in the Premium, Human-Grade, Non-GMO, 99.9% Pure, Triple-Cleaned, Stabilized, Ground, Fortified Flax we use in our Omega Fields' formulas -- as it is protected from rancidity or loss of nutritional value:

Proprietary stabilization technology (developed by our company and patented 20 years ago) provides a stable, fortified flaxseed composition as a rich source of Omega-3 in the diet. Note: The process is all natural, nothing is added, no chemicals used, the ground flax is kosher certified -- stabilization consists of how we handle the seed.
Proprietary stabilization technology includes the inclusion of B-6 and Zinc when the seeds are going through the grinding process. B-6 and Zinc not only enhance the stabilization of the essential fatty acids, but also fortify the ground flax seed with the nutrients used by the body when flax seed is being metabolized. Since flaxseed naturally contains B-6 and Zinc antagonists, it is necessary to fortify ground flaxseed with Vitamin B-6 and Zinc.
ENRECO®'s manufacturing facility is AIB (American Institute of Bakers) approved with an Superior Rating -- assuring the highest quality control and product safety.
Flaxseed is contracted for and purchased from northern Canadian producers. Because of the rich soil and short, intense growing season -- the flaxseed from northern Canada contains a higher percentage of Omega-3 than other flaxseeds.
High quality standards mean that we reject more seed than we accept. Who do you think accepts the inferior seed we reject?

I read somewhere that the ground flax in Omega Horseshine® can replace psyllium husks for routine prevention of sand colic in horses (as opposed to using Sand Clear tm). Is that right?

Yes, the premium, stabilized, ground, fortified flax seed used in Omega Horseshine®, Omega Antioxidant and Omega Grande® contains a high mucilage (soluble fiber) content that swells and takes on a gel-like consistency, helping prevent sand colic and impaction. Flax mucilage traps and suspends sand, carrying it out. The flax also acts to buffer excess acid and aids in the stabilization and modulation of blood glucose. You can discontinue psyllium, if you supplement with Omega Horseshine® everyday -- plus your horse will have the benefit of Omega-3 essential fatty acid for a beautiful coat and optimal health.

I am trying to find a supplement for my equine diagnosed with diabetes - not Cushings. He drinks 45 gallons of water a day. I have him on daily electrolytes, yeast, and vitamins. He is on high fat grain. Do you have a supplement that I can add?

We consulted with Eleanor Kellon, VMD -- Veterinary Editor of The Horse Journal -- with regards to your question. Following is her answer. We encourage you to join her Yahoo Equine Cushings group to learn about additional successful strategies: "A few ounces of Omega Horseshine® will be fine, certainly not harmful, and may be helpful. However, the dietary management of these horses is VERY complex and involves controlling the simple carbohydrate level in their diet (absolutely no grain whatsoever of any type, etc.), regular exercise if they don't have laminitis already and very, very strict balancing and supplementation of key minerals. To accomplish that, they need a hay analysis. High fat diets are also NOT a good idea! If this horse is actually diabetic (elevated blood sugars), he may indeed have Cushings. You might want to suggest to your customer that they join the Yahoo Equine Cushings group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/ - I am a moderator. The horses there are dealing very successfully with these issues - whether they are Cushings related or not." We're always excited about finding and sharing information that will help our customers and their animals obtain optimal health. We have the advantage of being part of an extensive "network of experts" who provide up-to-date, cutting-edge nutritional knowledge.

Is the relationship between the supposed suppression of thyroid function and cyanogenic glycosides in flax a valid concern in supplementing a 1,200 pound horse with 1/2 cup ground flax seed (Omega Horseshine®) per day?

Flax contains cyanogenic glycosides. Under extreme conditions (pH1 or less), cyanide can be produced – but has never been reported to happen in mammals. Instead, cyanate is produced which is non-toxic. The US FDA did a study in which they fed 10, 20, and 40% of the diet as flax and found no harmful effects of any sort.

Within the context of everything else a 1200 pound horse would be eating, there is very little likelihood 1/2 cup of ground flax seed will have any significant effect on thyroid function. Even less likely if the diet is properly fortified with selenium, which is required to detoxify the antithyroid factors. Frankly, if suppression from a dietary factor is suggested, you should be much more suspicious of soy.

If you are still concerned, would simply suggest that you monitor thyroid function tests before starting and six weeks after starting, with no other dietary or management changes in between.

Some flax products are genetically altered ..Such as in the case of a product called “Golden Flax”…Is your product genetically altered in any way?

Omega Fields® is very proud that we always have and always will continue our commitment to use only non-GMO ingredients.
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Would it be okay to feed your Omega Horseshine® to our dogs, cats and goats?

Actually, both dogs and goats (and pot-bellied pigs or rabbits if you have them) would do very well on our Omega Horseshine® -- fed at the rate of 1 teaspoon for every 20 pounds of animal weight. Your cats will only need a very little sprinkled on their food to get the benefits.
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I’m looking for something to bring out some shine in my horse’s coat. Will Omega Horseshine® help?
Omega Horseshine® will definitely give your horse’s coat a beautiful bloom!
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When I feed Omega Horseshine®, is there any chance of over supplementation if I’m also feeding another probiotic/vitamin/mineral supplement?

The biotin and vitamins and minerals are a value-added addition to Omega Horseshine® to enhance our product. They are not intended to be the daily required amounts. There should be no problem adding a ½ cup serving of Omega Horseshine® as a supplement to your horse’s current diet.
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Is flax sold for animal purposes lesser quality than for human purposes, i.e. is it safe for human consumption when sold for animal consumption? What is the difference?

Omega Fields flax is premium, non-GMO, high-quality, cleaned to 99.9% purity, human-grade flax. Our business has made the decision to use only this highest quality flax for all of our human and animal products. Feed-grade flax is a lesser quality flax that contains different percentages of Omega-3 and has a high percentage (up to 8%) of dockage. Dockage is debris from the field and can be toxic and bad tasting weed seeds, dirt, bugs, or even manure. Perhaps this is how some companies can offer such low prices
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I have a horse with allergy problems - would you recommend Omega Horseshine®?

The mention of your horse’s allergy problems brought to mind an interesting testimonial we just heard last week. One of our dealers in Wyoming called to say that one of this customers is a veterinarian for Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl’s horses at Senator Kohl’s ranch in Sheridan, Wyoming. The vet tried our Omega Horseshine® on a horse troubled with allergies. The symptoms disappeared! Then he took the horse off Omega Horseshine®. The symptoms reappeared! Needless to say, he put the horse back on Omega Horseshine® and is a very satisfied customer.
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Are there any side effects from feeding your horse supplements?

The only side effect is that your horses will be taking a step closer to optimal health.
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My horse gets an allergic reaction to molasses. Will he have a problem with the sorghum in Omega Antioxidant, since molasses comes from sorghum?

Since molasses is made from the juice from the sorghum plant, and ground sorghum seeds are used in Omega Antioxidant, there would be less probability of any allergic problem.
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How much flax seed oil would you give a 1000 pound horse to help with skin problems? Thanks for your help and I hope to hear from you soon.

Please see the following response from Eleanor Kellon, DMV -- to a similar question concerning the viability of using high Omega-3 capsules/oils -- copied from one of her emails to the Yahoo Cushings / IR Group
Subject: [EquineCushings] Re: Flax Seed Oil
Main problem with any high omega-3 oil capsules is having them go rancid on you. These oils are very fragile. I know I've had several bottles of both flax and evening primrose oil capsules that were rancid.
Sometimes you can even smell it, other times you don't know until after you've taken it and can taste it. Why don't you just get some ground stabilized flax or one of the other Enreco/Omega Fields products? www.omegafields.com Eleanor

FYI: This extremely informative group is co-owned by Dr. Eleanor Kellon DMV, highly respected Veterinarian, Author and Cushings/IR Expert.
Contact information: Post message: EquineCushings@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: EquineCushings-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Thank you for your interest in helping your horse's skin problem with Omega-3 rich oil. We promote the use of whole ground flax seed because the whole seed offers not only the Omega-3 essential fatty acids, but also more nutrition. Lignans (powerful antioxidants) and dietary fiber (soluble and insoluble) are not present in flax oil. Yet, in the seed, these are found in generous quantities. Flax oil is very unstable and prone to oxidation if not kept refrigerated at all times. The special premium flax seed we use in all our products is stabilized before it’s ground to give it a one-year shelf life at room temperature.
You can save yourself some worry and effort by using our Omega Horseshine®. One-half cup per day is the recommended maintenance amount for a 1,200 lb. horse. The per-serving cost is very low, because there are 320 servings in a 50 lb. bag. You can have confidence in the Omega Fields® Premium, Human-Grade, Non-GMO, 99.9% Pure, Stabilized, Ground, Fortified Flax we use in our Omega Horseshine® formula. Following are several reasons Omega Fields® Flax has a one-year shelf life.

1. Omega Fields® contracts for a specific stable palatable variety of flax containing more Omega-3.
2. We use our own patented stabilization process to provide a stable, fortified flaxseed composition as a rich source of Omega-3 in the diet.
3. Omega Fields® stabilization process binds (chelates) the naturally occurring lignans (powerfull antioxidants) in the flax seed to those wonderful essential fatty acids. Therefore, when the seeds are ground, the antioxidants serve to protect the integrity of the essential fatty acids for a year, and they get transferred to your horse's blood serum.
4. Another part of our stabilization process includes the inclusion of B-6 and Zinc when the seeds are going through the grinding process. B-6 and Zinc not only enhance the stabilization of the essential fatty acids, but also fortify the ground flax seed with the nutrients used by the horse's digestive system when flax seed is being metabolized.

Omega Fields® has never compromised the quality of our products and we never will.
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I was reading ingredients in Omega Horseshine® and it lists as the third ingredient ground oats--is this something to be concerned about in IR horses?

We're going to answer your ingredient question with some nutrition information, especially pertinent for IR horses. Omega Horseshine®'s base of stabilized ground flax is enhanced with a small percentage of biotin, Diamond V Yeast (probiotic), oats (antioxidant), vitamins, and chelated minerals. (In the formula there is .2% oats). When proper nutrition is present for the horse's body, the horse is better able to assimilate and utilize the Omega-3 essential fatty acid oil in the flax seed much more efficiently. The naturally occurring shorter chained Omega-3s in flax -- Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA / LNA) -- can effectively be converted by the body into the longer chained Omega-3s -- Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docohexaenoic Acid (DHA) -- when the proper nutrition is present. The Omega Horseshine® formula helps assure the proper nutrition is present for maximum Omega-3 conversion. Thus, the horse has the full spectrum of Omega-3s available for optimum health. This translates into increased health benefits for the horse -- than would be available with plain ground flax seed.

The stabilized ground flax we manufacture and use in our formulas is Premium, Human-Grade, Non-GMO, 99.9% Pure and Triple-Cleaned; protected from rancidity or loss of nutritional value; and guaranteed fresh for a full 12 months:

Proprietary stabilization technology (developed by our company and patented 20 years ago) provides a stable, fortified flaxseed composition as a rich safe source of Omega-3 in the diet. Note: Our heat-based stabilization process is all natural, nothing is added, no chemicals used, the ground flax is kosher certified.
Proprietary stabilization technology includes the inclusion of B-6 and Zinc when the seeds are going through the grinding process. B-6 and Zinc fortify the ground flax seed with the nutrients used by the body when flax seed is being metabolized during digestion. Since ground flaxseed naturally contains B-6 and Zinc antagonists, it makes sense to fortify ground flaxseed with Vitamin B-6 and Zinc to assure proper nutrient absorption.
Omega Fields' manufacturing facility in Newton, Wisconsin (Made in the USA!), is American Institute of Baking (AIB) Quality Certified. Our SUPERIOR rating assures the highest manufacturing quality and safety. *Note: The AIB Quality Seal is a specialized certification program for food-grade manufacturing plants that establishes and recognizes a standard for consistency in product quality and safety. ENRECO® (our parent company) / Omega Fields® is very proud to have earned AIB's SUPERIOR Rating.
Flaxseed is contracted for and purchased from northern Canadian producers. Because of the rich soil and short, intense growing season -- the flaxseed from northern Canada contains a higher percentage of Omega-3 than other flaxseeds.
High quality standards mean that we reject more seed than we accept. Who do you think accepts the inferior seed we reject?

Also, the NSC level in Omega Horseshine® is well below the recommended levels for IR horses:
4,4% NSC (0.6% Starch, 3.8% Sugar) -- NSC Analysis (as fed) done by Dairy One, Inc
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My full Friesian"Teun" is the type of horse that isn't fed any grain because he tends to be overweight. If you put him in a pasture with a round bale he will never pull his head out of it. Will he gain weight on the Omega Horseshine? He is in training and gets plenty of work but it just a VERY easy keeper. This is my main concern….

The stabilized ground flax seed used in Omega Fields' products is very high in Omega-3 essential fatty acids (flax seed is the richest source of Omega-3 in the plant world -- 4 parts of Omega-3 to 1 part of Omega-6 (4:1 ratio) -- the same ratio as the natural fat found in fresh grasses. This makes it ideal because it is heavily tipped in favor of the Omega-3s your horse's diet is missing. Also Omega-3 essential fatty acids are the first fats that are used by the body because they are essential to the working of the body -- the outer layer of every cell in the body is made up of Omega-3 essential fatty acids -- especially the cells in the brain, eyes, and all organs. Essential fatty acids, especially Omega-3, do not normally get stored as fat so they will not put weight on an easy keeper. When the body has proper functional nutrition, in the right balance -- the level of optimal health improves.
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Do you think it is possible Omega Horseshine MAY help with my horse who battles sweet itch in the summer? I live in Minnesota.

Problems with sweet itch, dull coat, dry itchy skin, poor hoof growth, cracking/splitting hooves, arthritic pain, allergies, etc. may be attributed to an Omega-3 deficiency in the horse's body. The stabilized ground flax used in Omega Horseshine is very high in Omega-3 essential fatty acids (flax is the richest source of Omega-3 in the plant world). This makes it ideal because it is heavily tipped in favor of the Omega-3s your horse's diet is missing. Also essential fatty acids are the first fats that are used by the body because they are essential to the working of the body -- the outer layer of every cell in the body is made up of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids do not normally get stored as fat. When the body has proper functional nutrition, in the right balance -- the level of optimal health improves.

Our customers who have experienced Omega-3 deficiencies (or similar distressful problems) with their horses, have shared their successes with us. They agree that the horse needs to get a higher dosage every day for the short term in order to overcome the Omega-3 deficiency in their horse's system -- at least 2 to 3 cups of Omega Horseshine® per day (based on a 1,200 lb horse), for the short term, until the symptoms/condition of the Omega-3 deficiency are alleviated. Then, they would go back down to what was the maintenance amount for their horse -- for the long term. Note: With Omega Horseshine you don't have to keep supplementing at the high level for the long term. One-half cup to one cup (use standard size measuring cups) is the recommended daily maintenance amount for Omega Horseshine for a 1,200 lb horse (adjust proportionally for weight of your pony). As with anything new you are adding to your horse's diet -- start gradually first week until you get to 1/2 cup, then increase as necessary.
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I recently began feeding Omega Horseshine® to my horse. Although I add it to his feed, he manages to work his way around the powder and most of it remains at the bottom of his feed dish. I was thinking about adding water to his pm serving of Purina Senior Horse Feed to make a "mash" and mixing Omega Horseshine® into the "mash". Is this an appropriate alternative way to feed Omega Horseshine® to my horse?

Fellow horse owners with "picky eaters" or horses that are not feeling well have successfully mixed Omega Horseshine® with one or more of the following: water, apple butter, apple sauce, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, baby food, carrot juice, molasses -- to create a tasty, nutritious mash their horses love -- and their horses are getting the full flax seed benefit. Your idea of adding water to your horse's pm serving of Purina Senior Horse Feed to make a "mash" and mixing 1/4 cup of Omega Horseshine into the "mash" -- would be excellent! I also have a customer who told me he mixes the 1/2 cup Omega Horseshine® with just enough water to have it stick together and hand feeds it to his horse -- and his horse thinks it is a big treat! Please keep trying it for a bit -- as sometimes a horse needs a little extra time to get used to and accept something new.

Here is some excellent advice recently shared by one of our customers on one of the Yahoo Group Forums concerning Omega Horseshine® : "When you first start supplementing Omega Horseshine® to your picky eater, there may be a transition period where they go from thinking you are trying to poison them to mugging you at the gate to get their feed. Some horses start off hating it and refuse it for a few days while looking at you pitifully; others scoff down every bit and lick the bowl out right from the beginning. You'd have to experiment with your guys to find out what they think. But even the most suspicious horse will usually develop a taste for it, if you persevere."
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I currently feed my horses whole flax and black oil sunflower seeds. I was told that you should not feed only 1 of the 2 as you'd be causing an imbalance as one contains omega 3 and one omega 6?? If I were to purchase your product, would I need to continue feeding BOSS?

The goal in a horse feed supplement for your horse is to get as close a balance of Omega-3 to Omega-6 as is found in their most natural forage -- natural grasses -- which have a ratio of 4 parts Omega-3 to 1 part Omega-6. The oil found in flax seed (a rich source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids) has the same ratio of essential fatty acids as natural grasses - 4 parts Omega-3 to 1 part Omega-6. This makes flax seed one of the most natural ways to supplement your horse with Omega-3 and Omega-6 -- with stabilized flax seed the safest choice for your horse health.

One thing to keep in mind concerning whole flax seeds is that the hard outer shell of the whole flax seed needs to be broken in order for any health benefits to be imparted to your horse's body. Otherwise, the seeds just get passed through and get excreted in the manure. So any seeds not being ground by your horse's teeth, simply pass through.

Of course, you can grind flax seeds yourself but because they have such a high oil content that starts oxidizing when it gets exposed to air (by the grinding) -- you have to be careful about the stability factor, because ground whole flax seed that hasn't been stabilized will go rancid if not properly stored. You have to refrigerate any leftover ground flax and keep it in the refrigerator (keeps only for a month or so).

The easiest and most convenient way to save yourself precious time and energy you would spend in grinding the flax is by using the stabilized, ground flax seed in Omega Horseshine. BOSS are fine as a treat (small palm full) because they are a rich source of Omega-6 essential fatty acids, as is most everything else in your horse's diet -- i.e. - all grains and feeds. BOSS do not contain any Omega-3 fats.

Bottom line: If you buy Omega Horseshine you do not need to continue to feed BOSS -- unless you just want to use them as a small treat (as suggested above).
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When feeding Omega Horseshine should you measure by volume or by weight? Just thought I'd check to be sure I'm feeding enough if I measure out 1 cup using a kitchen measuring cup.
Omega Horseshine is measured by volume -- a one cup standard kitchen measuring cup is excellent for your 1,000 to 1,200 lb horse!
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Could you yell me the difference between your Omega Grande and Platinum Performance?

Let's take a moment to review and compare Platinum Performance Equine and our premium horse feed supplement, Omega Grande®.Then you'll be equipped with enough knowledge to enable you to make the best horsecare choice for you and your horses

Platinum Performance Equine is a complete all-in-one feed supplement -- according to Platinum Performance literature. Complete list of ingredients: Flax Seed, Flax Oil, Rice Bran, Lactose Free 75% Whey Protein Concentrate, Sunflower Seed, Soy Flour, Cane Molasses, Performance Minerals™, Osteon™ (Natural Zeolite), Calcium Carbonate, Bio-Sponge™, dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Glucosamine Sulfate, Chromium Yeast, Selenium Yeast, Gamma Oryzanol, Pine Bark Extract, Aloe Vera Concentrate, Algal Omega-3 Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA),L-Carnitine Tartrate, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Citrate, Manganese Citrate, Copper Gluconate, Cobalt Chelate, L-Lysine, L-Arginine, L-Glutamine, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Iodine Chelate, dl-Methionine, Choline Bitartrate, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin B12, Thiamin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid. The recommended daily amount is 13.8 oz (392 gr) per day for a 1000 lb working horse. In the 25 lb container there are approximately 29 - 13.8 oz (392 gr) daily servings. Shelf life is 5 months from date of manufacture. Note: Sugar (molasses) is added to Platinum Performance to make it more palatable to horses (it's the 7th ingredient).

One working horse serving (13.8 oz / 392 gr) - of Platinum Performance contains:
43,896 mg Omega-3 per 13.8 oz (serving size)
23,700 mg Omega-6 per 13.8 oz (serving size)

Omega Grande® - is the complete Omega-3, Antioxidant, Vitamin and Mineral, Yeast and Biotin supplement for horses in all life stages. It is made with a base of premium, stabilized ground flax seed. The formula for Omega Grande® also includes stabilized rice bran (rich in powerful, antioxidant E vitamins) and another all-natural polyphenol (plant-based) antioxidant -- ground sorghum seed. Each serving of Omega Grande® also contains the daily amount of balanced levels of all vitamins and chelated minerals as recommended by Kentucky Equine Research. It is custom-designed to promote optimal health and extend the longevity of your horse's active life. Complete list of ingredients: Stabilized Ground Flax Seed, Stabilized Rice Bran, Ground Grain Sorghum, Biotin, Monosodium Phosphate, Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate,Magnesium Oxide, Mineral Oil, Roughage Products, Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, d-Biotin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Cobalt Sulfate. Three to four cups is the recommended daily maintenance amount for Omega Grande® for a 1200 lb working horse (approximately 50 servings in a 50 lb. bag). Shelf life is 6 months from date of manufacture. Note: the flax used in Omega Grande is our own stabilized ground flax. Our parent company, ENRECO, INC., has been in the flax stabilizing and grinding business for 20 years, this year! Note: NO sugar (molasses) is added to Omega Grande.

One working horse serving (16 oz / 454g) of Omega Grande® contains:
45,350 mg Omega-3 per pound (serving size)
36,300 mg Omega-6 per pound (serving size

FYI: Omega Grande's formula was calculated for a working horse eating grass or mixed hay. If formula is supplemented over alfalfa hay (which is extremely rich in calcium), you would have to take a look at the whole diet to make sure the calcium/phosphorus ratio was on target.

Differences:
Platinum Performance does provide some glucosamine for joint health -- BUT -- the higher Omega-3 content in Omega Grande (from stabilized flax seed) has proven to be a very effective alternative in helping to reduce the inflammatory response of tender, swollen joints. Although there are no specific equine studies on the effect of omega-3 on equine arthritis, per se, preliminary laboratory and human clinical research suggests that Omega-3 fatty acid supplements rich in Omega-3 may decrease inflammation and the inflammatory response in laboratory animals and people with arthritis. The protective effect of omega-3's for the inflammation and pain of arthritis have been shown in a great number of studies over the past few years. The results of one such clinical study (involving people) concerning the effects of Omega-3 supplements on arthritis that was done by the Albany Medical College, New York -- indicated that when Omega-3 dietary supplements are consumed -- the dosage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs being taken was able to be lowered or discontinued.

Omega Grande® is a super source of the essential amino acids available in the functional proteins found in stabilized flax and rice bran. (One serving of Omega Grande® contains almost 2.5 times more functional (non-dairy) protein than one serving of Platinum Performance.) Platinum Performance's formula includes whey proteins which may be allergenic. Although there are no specific equine studies on the effect of dairy products or whey protein on equine arthritis, per se, preliminary laboratory and human clinical research suggests that milk products may produce some changes in the body's immune complexes. The negative effect of dairy products or whey protein on the inflammation and pain of arthritis have been shown in a number of studies over the past few years. Again, let me share the results of a clinical study (involving people) published in the publication Arthritis Rheumatism entitled: "Food-induced (Allergic) Arthritis". The results of this study indicated that inflammatory arthritis is exacerbated by milk products.

BOTTOMLINE: Serving per serving -- Omega Grande® delivers more functional nutrient value for your horse health -- more economically -- than the competition. (Your horse receives optimum nutrition from this premium horse feed supplement and you save money by with Omega Grande®.)
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I'm having stifle problems w/my gelding. Will this help?

The stifle joint corresponds anatomically to our own human knee joint. It is the largest joint in the horse but also the weakest joint. It is a joint that has the ability to flex, extend and act as a locking mechanism. A horse is unable to flex the hock without flexing the stifle and hip joints. Although we are not aware of any scientific studies done concerning the effects of flaxseed and Omega-3 on stifle problems -- please see information below regarding why Omega Horseshine® is recommended as a preventative and aid for horses prone to stifle problems.

Why is supplementing with Omega-3 essential fatty acids (Omega Horseshine is a rich source of Omega-3) important to cellular health? The membrane, or outer coating, of every one of the billions of cells in the body are unusually rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. In fact Omega-3 fatty acids are the structural fat that makes up this membrane and play a vital role in how cells function. To understand how Omega Horseshine® (as a rich source of stabilized Omega-3 essential fatty acids) helps improve a horse's quality of life, let’s take a look at how cells behave when they are aging and/or damaged by trauma such as injury, surgery, over-training, or disease (i.e. -- laminitis/founder). When a cell is irritated or damaged, or when it begins to age, its membranes break down. As a result, compounds contained within the cell walls are released into the cell matrix. Some of these substances, such as histamine, give rise to inflammation and associated pain.

Inflammation is a horse's natural response to injury. Inflammation is characterized by redness, swelling, heat and moderate to intense discomfort. When a joint becomes inflamed, your horse may experience any or all of these symptoms. This can prevent the joint from moving properly, leading to stiffness and loss of function. Researchers have found that the “diseases of aging” in horses such as arthritis, navicular and laminitis, have similar underlying factors: a decrease in cell stability leading to membrane damage and subsequent release of compounds that promote damage, spasm and inflammation.

The Omega-3 essential fatty acids in Omega Horseshine® work by stabilizing the membranes of the cells, promoting healing of existing damage and helping to prevent further damage. On a practical level, this means quality of life is improved, and you will see your horse experiencing the freedom to move.

Following please find a human study concerning the effect of Omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) on inflammation -- as referenced by the Cushings/IR Yahoo Group:

*** Recent study showing how adding flax to the diet decreased markers of inflammation in overweight people -- submitted by Eleanor M. Kellon, V.M.D., Equine Nutritional Solutions, 58 Maple Farm Road, Ephrata, PA 17522. Dr. Kellon is the co-owner and moderator of the group -- and is a well-renowned, well-respected author concerning equine health and nutrition.
Obes Surg. 2007 Mar;17(3):341-7.
Systemic inflammation in morbidly obese subjects: response to oral supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid.
Faintuch J, Horie LM, Barbeiro HV, Barbeiro DF, Soriano FG, Ishida RK, Cecconello I.
Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clinicas and LIM 51, São Paulo University Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. jfaintuch@hcnet.usp.br
BACKGROUND: Morbidly obese patients frequently display asymptomatic chronic activation of acute phase response, with potentially adverse metabolic and cardiovascular consequences. Nutritional preparations to improve this phenomenon have rarely been administered. Aiming to investigate the supplementation of flaxseed flour, a source of omega-3 fatty acids, a prospective randomized double-blind cross-over study was designed. METHODS: Outpatient obese subjects (n=41) were clinically and biochemically screened, and results for 24 randomized subjects are shown. Age was 40.8 +/- 11.6 years (83.3% females) and body mass index (BMI) was 47.1 +/- 7.2 kg/m2. Flaxseed flour (Farinha de Linhaca Dourada LinoLive, Cisbra, Brazil) in the amount of 30 g/day (5 g of alpha-linolenic acid - omega-3) and an equal mass of placebo (manioc flour) were administered for 2 weeks each. Variables included general biochemical investigation, white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and fibronectin. RESULTS: No intolerance was registered. Body weight and general biochemical indices remained stable. Initial CRP and SAA were elevated (13.7 +/- 9.9 and 17.4 +/- 8.0 ). WBC (8100 +/- 2100/mm3) and fibronectin (463.2 +/- 61.3 mg/dL) were acceptable but in the upper normal range. Corresponding findings after supplementation of flaxseed were 10.6 +/- 6.2 mg/L, 14.3 +/- 9.2 mg/L, 7300 +/- 1800/mm3 and 412.8 +/- 38.6 respectively (P<0.05). No change during the control period regarding baseline occurred when placebo was randomized to be given first; however, when it followed omega-3 supplementation, CRP and SAA recovered, whereas WBC and fibronection remained depressed during those 2 weeks (7500 +/- 2100/mm3 and 393.2 +/- 75.8 mg/dL, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 1) Various inflammatory markers were elevated in the studied population, although not necessarily exceeding the normal range; 2) Significant reduction could be demonstrated; 3) Some persistent effects of flaxseed supplement 2 weeks after discontinuation were observed.

Bottom Line: Omega-3 essential fatty acids are very functional, effective anti-inflammatories and immune boosters to help alleviate the inflammation problems associated with stifles. Omega Horseshine's stabilized ground flax seed is a safe, convenient, rich source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids.
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You say Omega Horseshine works at the cellular level to provide health benefits for my horse. Please explain.

Flax seed is the richest plant source of Omega -3 essential fatty acid. Omega 3 is necessary for cell membrane integrity. Cell membrane integrity can be compromised by excess acidity at the cell levels and by too high levels of inflammatory fatty acids like Omega-6 from feeds and grains, and trans fats from senior feeds, and animal fat products. If those membranes become deformed they cannot facilitate the elimination of metabolic wastes nor can they allow entry to the cell of nutrients either. The cell membrane also is important in energy production … the electrolytes of magnesium and potassium inside the cell interact across the cell membrane with the electrolytes sodium and calcium in the fluid outside the cell to produce electrical energy. If the membrane is damaged from a deficiency of Omega-3, calcium and sodium rush into the cell and shut down the life forces.

What is the difference between Omega Horseshine, Omega Antioxidant, and Omega Grande?

Following is a brief comparison of our three premium equine products: Omega Horseshine®, Omega Antioxidant, and Omega Grande® -- to help you make the best decision for your horse. You can also click on Product Details for more in-depth product information.

Omega Horseshine® is an award-winning, basic Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acid supplement that promotes health and well-being for all breeds of horses (18.5% Omega-3 and 6.0% Omega-6).Omega Horseshine contains the best premium, stabilized ground flax base enhanced with a very small percentage of oats (antioxidant), yeast (probiotic), vitamins, chelated minerals, and biotin. The added ingredients are meant to enhance the nutritional digestibility of formula, but are no way meant to be the recommended daily amounts. Omega Horseshine is very basically a powerful Omega-3 supplement for any horses suffering from Omega-3 deficiencies including rough dull coat, dry itchy skin, bug bite and skin allergies, joint inflammation pain, poor hoof growth, hyperactivity, inability to keep weight on, etc. One-half cup to one cup is the recommended daily maintenance amount for Omega Horseshine (approximately 250 servings in a 50 lb. bag). Note: Each 1 cup serving = 20,000mg of Omega-3.

Omega Antioxidant is an Omega-3, Omega-6 and Antioxidant supplement for health, well-being, and longevity of all breeds of horses (13.4% Omega-3 and 3.9% Omega-6). Omega Antioxidant contains the best premium, stabilized ground flax, a synergistic blend of six all-natural antioxidants -- Lignans, Catechins, Quercetin, Taxifolin, Phytosterols, and Tocopherols -- with Folic Acid and Vitamin B-12. Omega Antioxidant is formulated to not only be a very basic powerful Omega-3 supplement but also a powerful antioxidant supplement as well. It is for working, showing horses that need that extra antioxidant support for taking care of free radicals formed when working hard and from the environment. It is formulated with the extra antioxidants to extend the longevity of your horse's active life by protecting against debilitating diseases. Two-thirds cup to one and one-third cups is the recommended daily maintenance amount for Omega Antioxidant (approximately 200 servings in a 50 lb. bag). Note: Each 1-1/3 cup serving = 20,000mg of Omega-3.

Omega Grande® is the complete Omega-3, Antioxidant, Protein, Vitamin and Mineral, Yeast and Biotin supplement for horses in all life stages (7.6% Omega-3 and 5.0% Omega-6). Omega Grande is made with a base of premium, stabilized ground flax seed. The formula for Omega Grande® also includes stabilized rice bran (rich in powerful, antioxidant E vitamins and functional essential amino acids) and another all-natural polyphenol (plant-based) antioxidant -- ground sorghum seed. Each serving of Omega Grande® also contains the daily amount of balanced levels of all vitamins and chelated minerals as recommended by Kentucky Equine Research. With Omega Grande you get the same flax in Omega Horseshine, the same antioxidant in Omega Antioxidant plus so much more (see above). Omega Grande is the answer if you want to clean out a lot of the containers in your tack room and supplement wtih one complete supplement. We've done the research on what a hard working or hard training and showing horse needs to keep going -- strong and successful. It is custom-designed to promote maximum optimal health and absolutely extend the longevity of your horse's active life. Three to four cups (one pound) is the recommended daily maintenance amount for Omega Grande (approximately 50 servings in a 50 lb. bag). Note: each 3 to 4 cup serving = 34,500mg of Omega-3.

You do not need to supplement with all three supplements -- only one. Each of these products will help your horse overcome Omega-3 deficiencies -- so the choice is up to you -- depending on what added benefits you want to provide for your horse -- and your finances.

Will the Omega Horseshine work well enough keeping weight on? Will the Omega Horseshine increase his energy level too much? He already has plenty of energy and does, in fact, tend to be a bit high-strung. He gets grass hay 3 times a day with a small amount of Equine Senior in the evening. He also receives a joint supplement and Quiessence as a calming supplement. I am thinking that I can replace Cocosoya (Uckele) - skin, coat and weight gain, and Horse-Shoe (Finish Line) - hooves -- with Omega Horseshine and get the same benefits (the money I'll save will be MOST appreciated).

You are correct, by supplementing with Omega Horseshine you will be able to meet your horse's Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acid needs. Omega Horseshine can replace the Cocosoya, Horse-Shoe, and the joint supplement -- and will work well with the other supplement and feeds you outlined in your email.

Following is an explanation:
Omega Horseshine has been reported, by our customers, to alleviate their horses' problems with skin and coat, hooves, hyperactivity and joint inflammation. Omega Horseshine is an all-natural, Omega-3, stabilized flax supplement intended for the health and well-being of all breeds of horses (18.5% Omega-3 and 6.0% Omega-6). Omega Horseshine contains the best premium, stabilized ground flax enhanced with a very small percentage of oats (antioxidant), yeast (probiotic), vitamins, minerals, and biotin. These small percentage of ingredients are meant to enhance the nutritional benefits of the flax, but are no way meant to be the recommended daily amounts. One-half cup to one cup is the recommended daily maintenance amount for Omega Horseshine (approximately 250 servings in a 50 lb. bag).

Omega-3 deficiencies can show up as problems with dry, itchy skin, allergies, joint inflammation pain, poor hoof growth, hyperactivity, inability to keep weight on, etc. Our customers who have experienced these problems (or similar distressful problems) have shared their successes with us. They agree that the horse needs to get a higher dosage every day for the short term in order to overcome the Omega-3 deficiency in their system -- at least 1, 2 or 3 cups of Omega Horseshine® per day, for the short term, until the symptoms/condition are alleviated. Then, you can go back down to what will be the maintenance amount for your horse, for the long term. You don't have to keep supplementing at the high level for the long term.

FDA laboratory studies, concerning the safety of Omega Fields' stabilized ground flaxseed (the base of Omega Horseshine), have proven that our stabilized ground flaxseed fed at 20%, 30% and even 40% of the diet did not have any detrimental effects. You don't have to worry with Omega Horseshine, since the amounts we recommend (even at 2 - 3 cup levels) is no where near 40% of your horse's total diet. Please keep in mind that this testing was done on our specific stabilized ground flaxseed -- so we cannot speak for the safety of other ground flaxseed products -- you would have to ask the manufacturer for their safety testing records. Also keep in mind that Omega Horseshine is the only flax based horse supplement on the market that has a 12 month freshness guarantee!

The stabilized ground flax used in Omega Horseshine is very high in Omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids with a small amount of Omega-6 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids. This makes it ideal because it is heavily tipped in favor of the Omega-3 essential fatty acids your horse's diet is missing. Also essential fatty acids are the first fats that are used by the body because they are essential to the working of the body -- the outer layer of every cell in the body is made up of essential fatty acids. Omega-3 is a very usable energy and has a calming effect. Omega Horseshine, with it's high Omega-3 content -- is a natural calmer. When the body has proper functional nutrition, in the right balance -- the level of optimal whole-body health improves.

Cocosoya's ingredient list: Soybean oil, Coconut oil, Vitamin E supplement, Sodium Propionate, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial flavors. It is a fat source but is very high in saturated fat and Omega-6 polyunsaturated fat and very low in Omega-3 polyunsaturated fat. In fact, although their literature states that Cocosoya contains Omega-3 -- they do not even list the percentage of it in their product. Also, when companies list natural and artificial flavors you might have to be concerned with chemical preservatives. Omega Horseshine provides a better balance of good fats (very high in Omega-3) and is a good way to help your horse maintain proper weight.

Horse-Shoe's ingredient list: Biotin, Methionine, Gelatin and Zinc in a mineral base. Since poor hoof growth may be a sign of Omega-3 deficiency, and Omega Horseshine provides the highest levels of Omega-3 -- it is an excellent choice for improving healthy hoof growth.

Joint supplement: Although you don't mention the name of the product, I would assume that the main ingredient would be glucosamine or condroitin. Since Omega Horseshine provides the highest levels of Omega-3 -- and Omega-3 is considered a powerful anti-inflammatory -- the joint pain should be alleviated by supplementing with Omega Horseshine. Our customers' testimonies prove this fact. Here's just one of the many we receive:

"Just a note to let you know my eight year old Quarter horse "CD" has always had a problem with thin hoof walls and suffered from blow outs. She had also suffered a condition from birth with occasional mild diarrhea and a poor to less than average coat. Since I have begun using Horseshine flax supplement she has made a 180 degree turn around. My farrier has commented that her hoof walls are 100% better and she hasn't suffered a blow out since. Her manure is normal and her coat is thick and shiny. Also my husbands 24 yr. old mare now looks and acts much younger than her years. I can tell her joints feel alot better since she too has been put on Horseshine. Thanks for a product that does all it says, A very satisfied customer." Marie Piper - The Dalles, Oregon.

I just bought a six month old paint filly. She has very nice conformation and very healthy. This is the first baby I've had and I bought her because I want to start my training on my own. She was just weaned and has been eating solid grain. Are there any feeds or supplements that you would advise me to provide for her to keep a nice shiny coat as well as help to keep her strong? I want to train her for contesting and reining, but I'm not sure what the best feeds are to give her. Please, any advice would be more than helpful.

Our recommendation is to supplement your filly with Omega Horseshine®. In the womb the foal utilizes all available Omega-3 essential fatty acids available from the mare's body for its fast-growing brain, eye, and organs. Omega-3 essential fatty acids (found in stabilized ground flax seed) are necessary for normal growth and development and cannot be manufactured in the body. Sufficient amounts of Omega-3 should be added to the filly's diet. The safest way to add Omega-3 is from stabilized, ground, flax seed (the foundation for the Omega Horseshine® formula). The stabilized ground flax used in Omega Horseshine® is very high in plant-based Omega-3 essential fatty acids. This makes it ideal because it is heavily tipped in favor of the Omega-3s your filly's diet is missing. One-half cup to one cup is the recommended daily maintenance amount of Omega Horseshine® for a 1200 pound horse -- be sure to adjust the amount according to the weight of your filly. We are stabilized ground flax experts, and we know our supplement products inside out -- so we can confidently give recommendations concerning them, but we suggest you check with your vet or equine nutritionist concerning recommendations on feeds.

I would like to purchase the Omega Horseshine and try it on my new horse that I just purchased about a month ago. I have found, however, that he can be picky on trying new things. Would you have a small sample that I could try with him before I go and buy a 20 or 50lb bag? If you could I would be more than grateful. Or, if you have a smaller bag, I wouldn't mind purchasing a 5lb bag.

It is not our policy to send out product samples. The smallest retail size of Omega Horseshine® is the 4.5 lb pouch that is exclusively sold through SmartPak Equine. You don't need to worry about trying a 20 lb bag because all of our products come with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

Fellow horse owners with "picky eaters" have successfully mixed Omega Horseshine® with one or more of the following: water, apple butter, apple sauce, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, baby food, carrot juice, molasses -- to create a tasty, nutritious mash their horses love. Another alternative might be to order Omega Nibblers® treats to use as a supplement for your picky eater. Omega Nibblers® (horse treats made with the highest percentage of flax -- almost 50%!) are the most convenient and enjoyable way our customers have found to supplement their horses (especially the "picky eaters") with the benefits of Omega-3 / fiber. And the cost is only a little over $.50/day (just 15 to 30 treats per day is the equivalent amount to Omega Horseshine's recommendation of 1/2 to 1 cup per day). They come in a 5 lb pouch or a 15 lb box.

I'm taking 6 tablespoons of Mega Omega a day. I'm thinking of adding Delicious Greens and Perfect Purples to my health drink. Is this over doing it? Would it taste okay? I'm not a great eater, so I try to put the best product in my daily drink. I mix in milk with protein powder. I'm taking Naturesway vegetable and fruit capsules and I'm wondering if your product might be better! Thank you, Michelle

Well, Michelle, your question is a pretty easy one for me to answer -- as I currently make a daily breakfast smoothie using Mega Omega, Delicious Greens, and Perfect Purples -- mixed with fruit juice, soy milk, and frozen fruit. I also add rice protein powder. I've been using our stabilized ground whole flax seed (rich source of Omega-3, soluble and insoluble fiber, and lignans) for over ten years -- as long as I've been privileged to work for this company! I really like the Mega Omega, because of the plant and vitamin based antioxidants added to the stabilized ground flax base -- and the little bit of crystalline corn fructose (safe sweetener with low GI rating) makes it very tasty. I'll share with you my reasoning and personal opinion for choosing the blend.

For a number of years I've read many, many health related articles and scientific studies (from various sources) concerning the importance and beneficial effects of getting a wide variety of plant and vitamin based antioxidants into the diet. They agreed on the point that a synergistic blend of antioxidants enables the individual antioxidants in the blend to provide more life, effectiveness, and longer-lasting free-radical-busting power to the other antioxidants. The word synergistic basically means that things working together are more powerful than each individual component on their own. I also learned that antioxidants have a proven record for helping our bodies prevent debilitating disease. That sounded very good to me! The problem was that if you had to take that many pills or capsules -- it wouldn't be very realistic for me on a consistent day-to-day basis. I definitely needed something more user-friendly!

I became interested in the Delicious Greens and Perfect Purples as a tasty and convenient source of vegetable and fruit based antioxidant powdered drink blends when Omega Fields was researching selection of the best products we could find to offer on our Omega Fields Health website. We chose Delicious Greens 8000 and Perfect Purples to represent our choice of the best-tasting, most effective, powdered vegetable and fruit based antioxidant blends. That's when I started adding 1/2 scoop of each to my daily breakfast smoothie.

Personally, I love my morning smoothie, and I mentally pat myself on the back when I drink it down the last drop and think to myself, "Good for you, Bonnie!" I feel good, have plenty of energy, and enjoy life! I have a feeling you look at life in the same way, Michelle!

Do Omega-3 supplements made from flax provide the same benefits as Omega 3 supplements made from fish oil? This is in regard to human supplements. Thank you. Audrey Koehler

Thank you for your email and your question on flax versus fish oil supplementation for Omega-3. First let's take a look at flax seed supplements (1) and then fish oil supplements (2):

(1) Flax Seed Supplements:

Flax seed and the oil it contains are considered a whole food. Flax seeds are a rich source of the essential Omega3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid -- ALA -- (named essential because they must come from outside the body-in the diet). Once consumed, it can be transformed by enzymes in the body to the ultra polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid -- EPA -- and Docosahexaenoic acid -- DHA -- commonly found in fish. ALA, EPA, and DHA form vital structural parts of every one of the billions of cells in the body, especially brain, eye and all organ cells.

Flaxseeds are not only high in Omega-3 essential fatty acids, they are also high in plant lignans -- particularly SDG -- that are believed to play a role in fighting a broad range of cancer types. The plant lignans present in ground flax (43 mg per tablespoon) are fiber-like phytochemicals that are transformed into “animal” lignan in the colon by bacteria. Lignans are naturally found in foods high in dietary fiber, and are structurally similar to estrogens (phyto estrogens). Like natural estrogens, they can bind to estrogen receptors, but without causing abnormal changes. Plant lignans have been shown to help inhibit abnormal cell growth and help the immune system do its job. Flaxseed is the most abundant source of plant lignans. Stabilized ground flaxseed is one of the safest ways to get cancer-fighting Omega-3 and lignans into the body.

Flax seed is a good source of fiber that helps stabilize blood sugar so that you feel full longer and you have the energy to live an active lifestyle in between meals instead of snacking. It also keeps everything flowing consistently through the digestive process -- helping to relieve constipation and aiding in the prevention of colon cancer.

Because of it's high oil content, ground flax seed starts oxidizing as soon as the hard outer shell is broken by grinding. Since flax seeds need to be ground to impart the bioavailability of all its nutrients -- you need to make sure to use stabilized ground flax from a reputable source. This safe and convenient stabilized ground flax seed is found in two products from Omega Fields Health -- Simply Omega-3™ and Mega Omega®.

You can have confidence in the Premium, Human-Grade, Non-GMO, 99.9% Pure, Stabilized, Ground, Fortified Flax we stabilized and grind for use in our formulas -- as it is protected from rancidity or loss of nutritional value:

Proprietary stabilization technology (developed by our company and patented 20 years ago, this year!) provides a stable, fortified flaxseed composition as a rich source of Omega-3 in the diet. Note: The process is all natural, nothing is added, no chemicals, and the ground flax is kosher certified -- stabilization consists of how we handle and process the seed.
Proprietary stabilization technology includes the inclusion of B-6 and Zinc when the seeds are going through the grinding process. B-6 and Zinc not only enhance the stabilization of the essential fatty acids, but also fortify the ground flax seed with the nutrients used by the body when flax seed is being metabolized. Since flaxseed naturally contains B-6 and Zinc antagonists , it is necessary to fortify ground flaxseed with Vitamin B-6 and Zinc to assure proper nutrient absorption.
Omega Fields' manufacturing facility is AIB* Quality Seal approved with highest rating -- SUPERIOR -- assuring the highest quality and safety. *Note: The American Institute of Baking (AIB) Quality Seal is a program for food-grade manufacturing plants that establishes and recognizes a standard for consistency in product quality and safety. ENRECO® / Omega Fields® is proud to have earned the AIB “SUPERIOR” Rating.
Flaxseed is contracted for and purchased from northern Canadian producers. Because of the rich soil and short, intense growing season -- the flaxseed from northern Canada contains a higher percentage of Omega-3 than other flaxseeds.
High quality standard mean that we reject more seed than we accept. Who do you think accepts the inferior seed we reject?

(2) Fish Oil Supplements:

Pure encapsulated fish oil supplements (you must make sure they are of highest purity) specifically contain the Omega-3 essential fatty acids -- EPA and DHA. They do not, however, contain ALA, lignans, or fiber. But not all fish oil supplements are equal in value or effectiveness. Many, manufactured from the liver of fish, contain dangerous levels of toxins and pollutants. Others contain unnecessary, sometimes harmful fillers. What this means is that careful scrutiny and selection of high grade concentrated fish oil is absolutely necessary. In high grade concentrated fish oil, most or all of the impurities have been removed and this oil can be concentrated to contain much higher levels of omega-3s. The most effective and simple strategy is to find an omega 3 product that has gone through rigorous distillation and testing processes to ensure its purity.

Omax 3 is one such product. Developed by physicians and scientists from Yale University School of Medicine, Omax 3 has virtually eliminated the contamination problem first, by using sequential, state of the art molecular distillation techniques to remove toxins and secondly, by testing the product independently before it is certified to be free from pollutants. This double stage process ensures that Omax 3Om is a highly concentrated, 100% natural, premium omega-3 supplement.

Bottom-line:

Both sources of Omega-3 (stabilized ground flax seed (plant based) and fish oil supplements (animal based)) -- are excellent supplements for anyone looking to supplement Omega-3 in their diet.

Personally, I take both every day -- 1 serving of Mega Omega and 1/2 serving of Omax3 -- just to ensure myself I'm getting all the Omega-3s and other nutrients my body needs. If I had to choose one over the other I would choose Mega Omega or Simply Omega-3 -- just because ground flax has so much more to offer than just the Omega-3. It all depends on what you are looking for.

I am having a little difficulty figuring out the exact selenium amount my horse would be getting from 1 cup of the omega horseshine. I realize it is probably minimal, but I am unsure how to figure mg of selenium provided in 1 cup from the ppm amount listed (0.72). - Brittney

When fed as recommended Omega Horseshine accounts for a very small percentage of the total weight of the average daily feed intake of the horse. Omega Horseshine® has Selenium listed as .72 ppm, as you know -- so it is not considered a high source. Omega Horseshine is a supplement -- not a complete feed. Therefore, it is important to look at the total selenium of the horse’s whole diet. If the overall selenium of your horse’s feed and forage is very high, we recommend discussing this with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist.

The answer to your question as to how much selenium would be in a 1 cup serving of Omega Horseshine® is provided by our expert consultant, Dr. Doug Bibus, PhD: "Ppm refers to 1ug per 1g or 1mg per 1000g or 1 part per million. So for 100g of product (approximately one cup) the horse would be getting 0.072 mg of selenium."

Copied From: DSLD-equine@yahoogroups.com Since I know that many feed Flax to their horses I have a question. Someone on another list posted that long term use of flax suppresses the thyroid and could actually cause IR issues. I have never heard of this and am wondering if there is any scientific evidence for this claim. I feed Horseshine to my horses. Thanks, Karen

Copied From: DSLD-equine@yahoogroups.com (Dr. Eleanor Kellon) Absolutely no scientific or even anecdotal evidence of this. The only even remote connection is that cyanide interferes with iodine uptake by the thyroid. However, there is zero evidence that flax in the amounts fed to horses contains enough cyanide to have any effect, and if the horse is getting adequate iodine that would counteract the effect. There is zero even remote connection between flax and IR. Hypothyroidism in horses does not produce IR either. Even horses that have had their thyroids completely removed surgically do not get overweight, cresty or Laminitic. They usually lose weight. Virtually every horse that has come through the Cushing's and IR group, now with almost 8000 members, is on flax.
Eleanor
www.drkellon.com

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