Grocery stores already have high omega-3 eggs on their shelves and soon they might have omega-3 poultry.
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan recently confirmed that feeding flaxseed oil to broiler chickens increases the amount of omega-3 in the meat and fat.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked with protection against cardiovascular disease and hypertension. They are believed to be useful in the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.
The U of S results were discovered during an investigation into the impact of flaxseed oil diets on the inflammatory immune response of broiler chickens.
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Although their expectations about the immune response were dashed, the study demonstrated the beneficial effect of dietary flaxseed oil on the chicken meat and fat.
“It had previously been shown that dietary fish oil altered the immune response in broiler chicken and, as a result, improved their performance,” said Henry Classen, a professor in the university’s department of animal and poultry science.
“The component of fish that seems to be responsible for this improvement is a class of fatty acids called omega-3. Because flaxseed oil is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, we expected it to have the same effect. In our studies, however, neither the fish oil nor the flax oil had this effect.”
Flax oil diet
But the study results did show that including flax oil in the diet is an effective method of increasing the amount of omega-3 in the chicken meat and fat.
“This is significant for two reasons: current human-nutrition guidelines recommend the increased consumption of omega-3; and the use of flax oil for this purpose will hopefully increase the market for flax oil and seed,” said Classen.
Although the diet with fish oil resulted in the greatest incorporation of omega-3 into the chicken meat and fat, the practicality and efficacy of oil from flaxseed make it an attractive method of increasing human intake of omega-3, which addresses consumer concerns about the healthfulness of their diet, he said.
“The idea of increasing omega-3 content in human food by increasing its content in the diet of animals and poultry is not new. For example, eggs with a higher level of omega-3 are already being marketed, and work has been done on meat as well.
“What we have done is quantify the theory regarding dietary flax oil and broiler chickens, and added new information. In fact, I won’t be surprised to see high-omega-3 chicken on the market in the future,” said Classen.
His project was supported by Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Agriculture Development Fund. A copy of this report, No. 95000266, is available on the internet at www.agr.gov.sk.ca/scripts/adf/listing.idc.
