A dog’s life in the city includes stress and fatigue, which are often expressed as inflammation. Therefore, a balanced diet including Omega-3-6-9 fatty acids will help the body deal better with stress and reduce inflammation.
Omega-9 fatty acids aren’t strictly essential, as they can be produced by the body itself and don’t need to be added to the diet. However, it is important to introduce them in order to enjoy all their beneficial properties.
Oleic acid and erucic acid are two major Omega-9 sources. Oleic is one of the most prominent fatty acids in virgin olive oil.
As with the other Omegas out there, Omega-9 fatty acids are very beneficial for the body, as they lead to correct levels of lipids, boast anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and have a positive effect on skin disorders.
Antiseptic effect
Olive oil is rich in Omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid. Omega-9 has been shown to protect the body by modulating lipid metabolism. We could even say that it has an antiseptic effect.
Diets enriched with unsaturated fatty acids such as virgin olive oil have beneficial properties, control corticosteroid imbalance and inflammation, and help eliminate bacteria.
A diet rich in Omega-9 results in increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It also lowers levels of systemic corticosterone.
There are studies (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30538802) that suggest a beneficial anti-inflammatory role of Omega-9 in sepsis, balancing the production of cytokines and controlling bacterial growth.
What other effects does Omega-9 have on the organism?
Another study showed that high-monounsaturated-fat diets could reduce plasma triglycerides by 19% and so-called “bad” cholesterol by 22% (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9497173). Therefore, a diet rich in Omega-9 helps fight bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol. This in turn is good for heart health, as the chances of a dog developing circulation problems or other types of heart disease are lessened.
Seeing as fats are essential for the proper functioning of the brain, the intake of Omega-9 fatty acids can combat certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s in humans or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in dogs. It also helps lower stress and anxiety, which is very important when it comes to living with pets. Normally, foods that include these fatty acids in their composition are also rich in antioxidants, which is why they usually help slow down the aging process, thereby preventing cognitive impairment.
Omega-9 also acts as an anti-inflammatory, so it can speed up the recovery of inflamed skin and accelerate healing processes. As olive oil rich in Omega-9 also relieves pain in cases of bone disorders such as arthritis, it’s a good choice for older dogs in which this type of problem is commonplace.
Along with other fatty acids, Omega-9 is responsible for lubricating the intestine, thereby enhancing bowel transit time. What’s more, it helps prevent the onset of other conditions such as constipation or reflux.
In short, these healthy fats are essential for the proper functioning of our dog’s body. That said, they should come from quality dog food with extra virgin olive oil in order to reap all the benefits.