Pet Food Processing - September 2024 - 40

INGREDIENTS
inflammation, bolster the gut microbiome and improve
metabolic functions in pets. They are also readily recognized
among pet owners as health-promoting components
of a regular diet, so it's only natural to see them being
adopted in the pet space with increasing enthusiasm.
" Simply put, they help our pets look well, move well
and feel well, " said Andrew Hebard, chief executive
officer and founder of Natures Crops International,
Winston-Salem, NC.
" When animals metabolize Omega 3s, they produce
a large array of metabolites that all contribute to optimal
health and wellness and, without them, well-documented
deficiency symptoms can
appear, such as dry, flaky, itchy skin,
and poor joint health and mobility, "
he added.
Another salient health perk of
DHA is cognitive health, the importance
of which is becoming increasingly
pertinent for supporting pets at
specific life stages.
" If you look at the literature, there's
a very clear link to brain health, especially
with DHA, which plays an important
role in cognitive development
of young animals and also senior pets, "
said Luc Steenwelle, business director,
animal nutrition, algae, Corbion.
Many pet food,
treat and supplement
products
use Omega 3s to
support a variety
of health and
wellness functions
in pets.
Purina, Badlands Ranch
Adolphe agreed, adding DHA plays an important
role in the development of the immune system in growing
pets, as well as retinal function. She also noted it's
important to strike a balance between Omega 3 and
Omega 6 in a pet's diet, as too much Omega 6 can result
in undue inflammation.
" The role of these fatty acids in maintaining pet
health is affected not only by their ratio but also by the
total amount in the diet, " Adolphe explained. " Achieving
Research has shown that Omega 3s support various areas
of health and wellness in pets including skin and coat
health, joint health, inflammation, gut health and normal
metabolic functions.
IQI Trusted Petfood Ingredients, Corbion
a balance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids is
essential for pet foods since their metabolic conversion
within the body impacts inflammation levels. Omega 3
fatty acids are known to have anti-inflammatory properties,
which counterbalance the potentially inflammatory
properties of Omega 6 fatty acids. "
With all these health benefits to behold, it's no wonder
pet owners are increasingly seeing Omega 3 fatty acids
as a way of supplementing the health and wellbeing of
their furry companions. However, an influx of demand
together with the impacts of climate change and overfishing
have put a strain on the global fish oil supply,
leading pet industry ingredient innovators to explore
alternative sources.
Floundering fish oil
Fish oil is a byproduct of fishing operations - as long
as people consume fish, there will be suppliers upcycling
fishery byproducts into products like fish oil for humans
and pets. While this is an inherently sustainable process,
overfishing and climate change have become central
threats to wild-caught operations.
Not all fish oil is created equal, and the need for alternative
sources of Omega 3 fatty acids has become
more apparent as demand for fish oil grows - not
only for pets, but for aquaculture feed and humans, too
- alongside stagnating and even declining supply, according
to Geert van der Velden, innovation manager
at IQI Trusted Petfood Ingredients, Amersfoort, The
Netherlands.
" The supply of fish oil is stable, at best, " he said.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO), 90% of the world's marine fish stocks were fully
exploited, overexploited or depleted as of 2022. To help
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Pet Food Processing - September 2024

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