SmartPak Mag/Advert: "Corn Oil = Inflammation"

[pintopiaffe]

The new SmartPak thingy came today, it's part magazine/part advertising.

The back is "8 Supplement Myths Busted" and Myth #5 is "Corn Oil is a good source of Fat..."

They say: FALSE: Corn oil promotes chronic inflammation.
(in bold even) and go on to cite nutrition experts 'now understanding' that the Omega 6's are generally considered pro-inflammatory etc.

I'm going to email them for a cite related to horses...

But did I miss something? I know for HUMANS we are learning this... but horses digest differently... eat differently... *IS* there new info out there? Or are they extrapolating?

[spotmenow]

I saw the same advertisement and just KNEW some people would have to comment :D

I think the point that they meant to make is that there are better products on the market than corn oil, which my vet told me years ago really needs to be fed in such large quantities in order to make a difference, it is simply cost prohibitive. Not to mention messy. If you want Omega 6s (which have been linked to inflammation but not sure how statistically significant the correlation really is), rice bran is a more cost effective/ easier to feed supplement. Omega 3s-flax seed (I use Nutraflax). And of course, most feed companies have high fat supplements that utilize both (ie. Nutrena Empower, Blue Seal Omegatin).

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I thought and still think that Omega 6 inflammation is under debate. Unless they did actually find something recently.

I like reading the magazine, there were some valid points and another spoof I thought, aside from the corn oil. I'd have to find it again.

I mean I know they have to advertise, but come one, they're making it seem like my horse HAS to be on supplements and HAS to be on eight different ones in order to be healthy.

I know I highlighted some other parts for discussion but it's at home and I am not.

[Tegan]

I have heard this before, which is why I avoided corn oil, even though I've heard its good for ulcers. I use canola oil instead, which is still 2:1 Omega 6:3, but it's the best I could find. Flax oil is too expensive and hard to store.

So to make up for the imbalance I added bioflax and bought some flaxsnax cookies for my carrot stretches... not sure if those will do much, but its worth a shot.

I am not sure about any concrete scientific evidence about Omega levels though. I'm interested in what Smartpak says when they respond.

[spmoonie]

This could be totally unrelated, but I have an older pony (15) who has some very minor arthritic issues. I had him on corn oil for about 6 months and definitely noticed his hocks seemed to bother him more than usual. He's off the corn oil now and he seems to be much better (no signs of hock pain). But, he did get his hocks injected and was put on a different joint supplement, so maybe its just a coincidence. :confused:

[Grataan]

I would say his hocks are better because they were injected.

Corn oil is an excellent source of fat. I am always willing to change a previously held belief if someone can put scientific evidence in my hands. An advert in a magazine is not considered evidence in my book.

I'm interested to see if/what they respond to your email with. Will you share it here? I'd like to look up their study(ies).

[JB]

proven in adults, UNproven in horses. It's said that horses just don't need any added O6, but nothing says it IS detrimental.

That said, corn oil in particular is something I wouldn't put an arthritic horse on. I DO know people who have had horses get worse with it.

[ChocoMare]

I recently asked Dr. Beth Valentine about this very issue during an e-mail exchange/update with her on my EPSM Percheron. She said the same thing as JB, studies as to the inflammatory effects of corn oil on the equine body are "inconclusive" and "unproven."

But you know what? If you're worried about it, switch to Canola, or Cocosoya Oil or Cool Calories..... no big deal.

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I recently asked Dr. Beth Valentine about this very issue during an e-mail exchange/update with her on my EPSM Percheron. She said the same thing as JB, studies as to the inflammatory effects of corn oil on the equine body are "inconclusive" and "unproven."

But you know what? If you're worried about it, switch to Canola, or Cocosoya Oil or Cool Calories..... no big deal.

Exactly. That's why I usually feed one of those three. I know it's not proven but it's also not completely ruled out, in my mind.

And between those three I usually just get whatever is more cost effective at the time. I just got (practically given) 4 gallons of cocosoya oil from another boarder for $20.00. Her horse wouldn't eat it but my TB hoovers up anything. :winkgrin:

[amastrike]

If I do oil, I give canola. Corn might not be a problem, but canola is no more expensive and has the same fat, so why not take the safer route?

[Bogie]

I asked her about this too. Same answer. In fact, she told me she'd fed her husband's TB 2 cups of Corn oil/day (what I feed my TB) for many years with no issues.

I recently asked Dr. Beth Valentine about this very issue during an e-mail exchange/update with her on my EPSM Percheron. She said the same thing as JB, studies as to the inflammatory effects of corn oil on the equine body are "inconclusive" and "unproven."

But you know what? If you're worried about it, switch to Canola, or Cocosoya Oil or Cool Calories..... no big deal.

[SmartAlex]

I'm throwing in the towel on horse nutrition. Since I got my horse's insulin results back last weekend, I've read more confusing crap about horse nutrition than I care to repeat. Why is it my first horse ate sweet feed and regular hay and lived to a healthy 33 years old? I'm sure I'm going to kill this one by next Tuesday!

[pintopiaffe]

I will DEFINITELY let you know if they answer. I was very un-accusing in the question, just said how interested I was in any cites or new research...

And between those three I usually just get whatever is more cost effective at the time.

Me too--and while it is usually canola, occasionally a 1/2 corn product called "La Spagnola" is on sale for less than even canola, and I get it.

The canola is usually a few cents more than soy oil, and I"ll get the canola for that small difference (at Sam's.) But...

I'm really interested to hear the outcome. I just felt it was a pretty 'bold' statement (pun intended ;) ) without any real cite--and *HOPING* there IS new research for equines.

[ThoroughbredFancy]

Ah, yes, I've fed the La Spagnola once. It was on sale, had all the oils he's had before and he ate it so why not in that case.

I bought a large container of Canola from Costco and I have a pump that fits on the container so it's a win win.


But yes, you'll def. have to let us know. SmartPak is usually great with customer communication (in my experience anyway).

[Southern-Exposure]

http://askthevet.smartpak.com/equine/nutrition/the-truth-about-feeding-horses-corn-oil/

That is what I found on Smart Pak's website under their vet blog. However, I still feel as clueless as the rest of you. I have my 17y/o OTTB on 6 lbs of grain, 4oz. of Cool Calories, 4 cups of oil, a purina feed scoop worth of hay cubes and free choice hay. He has put some weight on, but he's been on that regiment since July, and he should be obese by now. Especially considering he is on turnout only, due to an injury.

Will I get the same calories from rice bran as I will corn oil? Does anyone know a cost per day comparison?

I am at a loss. He still needs weight and right now he has hit a plateau. :-(

[JB]

I'm throwing in the towel on horse nutrition. Since I got my horse's insulin results back last weekend, I've read more confusing crap about horse nutrition than I care to repeat.
Where have you gotten the information? Vets are notoriously uninformed about nutrition in general, much less metabolic issues

Why is it my first horse ate sweet feed and regular hay and lived to a healthy 33 years old? I'm sure I'm going to kill this one by next Tuesday!
You can still find horses like that today just like you can find people who eat candy bars and McDonalds on a regular basis and are never sick. Some horses just deal very well with it.

But what was your first horse's life like? Many horses did eat high-sugar diets "back when", but they also did a lot more work than they do today - kids rode them for 8 hours a day, they were turned out all the time, etc. Just like my grandparents ate bacon and eggs every morning for breakfast, but it didn't clog their arteries because they worked outside all day.

[Ghazzu]

"Vets are notoriously uninformed about nutrition in general, much less metabolic issues"

That's no more accurate than my saying, "horse owners don't know squat about feeding."

[EqTrainer]

I would not feed a horse corn oil, I remember back in the day when we did and the problems it caused. I do have an EPSM horse and he gets canola oil and extra antioxidants.

[pintopiaffe]

As always, SmartPak comes through! Less than 24 hrs. and on a Friday to boot!

Here is the reply, in full:
Thank you for your email and your questions regarding our new Guide to Supplements and Horse care!

As you may know, nutrition research in horses, with regard to most topics, is rather limited! However, I have attached two studies for your review. The first was conducted in 2002 and showed that horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity (sweet itch) showed a measurable decrease in inflammation when supplemented with flax seed, which is high in Omega 3s. The second studied the effects of feeding horses corn oil versus fish oil; in this study, the horses that received corn oil showed increased levels of the pro-inflammatory eicosanoid prostaglandin E2.

You might also be interested in visiting the website for an equine Omega 3 fatty acid supplement called Magnitude. This group has worked with Colorado State University and other reputable organizations to study the benefits of Omega 3s in horses; they have some good research referenced on their site, which I’ve included links to, below:

http://www.magnitudedha.com/

http://www.magnitudedha.com/provenresearch.htm

http://www.magnitudedha.com/FAQ.htm


I hope this information is helpful! Please feel free to contact us again if you have further questions, and thanks again for taking the time to contact us.

Warm Regards,

Off to read the links... God Bless SmartPak! :D

[ThoroughbredFancy]

That's great! I'll have to check out those links.

[Bogie]

Can you post links to the studies or email them to me?

[JB]

"Vets are notoriously uninformed about nutrition in general, much less metabolic issues"

That's no more accurate than my saying, "horse owners don't know squat about feeding."

Agreed!

My point though was that if someone is looking to their vet, a professional, someone who has had training, for nutritional advice, they're more likely to be disappointed or confused than not.

[Ghazzu]

Would you mind listing the citation for the fish vs. corn oil paper?

[mjmvet]

It's nice that Smartpak had some articles to reference - it would be nice to read them and see how they were designed, who funded them (was it smartpak, or other company with a vested interest, for instance?) etc.

I have a hard time trusting any info from a company with something to sell without more evidence from an unbiased source. Unfortunately, there is very little in the way of good research on equine nutrition.

I tossed the smartpak catalogue after I saw they used a 'testimonial' from a four year old saying she 'felt' her pony competed better on x, y, z supplements. Please.

M

[Cherry]

on that Linsey's what's-her-name's website--long before Smartpak wrote about it....

On Linsey's site she suggested mixing it 50/50 with canola to lessen the effects of the corn oil. Don't know if these people are right or wrong but I used to mix it that way for my horse--just trying to hedge my bets as I don't think veterinary medicine has a clue about this (or do they?)! :yes: :winkgrin:

[Grataan]

Would you mind listing the citation for the fish vs. corn oil paper?
Yes please :)

[thatsnotme]

I saw this in the ad and had to wonder--my girl is borderline epsm and gets 2 cups of corn oil daily. she also has alot of allergies that lead to swelling. since she has started the oil, we have had NO allergic reactions. So, for us it has been almost an anti-imflamitory

[monstrpony]

A bit of a tangent, but--given the winter we're having, I can't understand why any oil feeders haven't switched to canola anyway. Even during the bad cold spell in January, the canola, left in the barn, at most got a little cloudy. Corn oil would have been the consistency of Crisco in those temps!

I wish the local Sam's would carry canola in the big jugs--I'd renew my membership!

[Bogie]

This references studies that might be what SmartPak is referring to:

www.ker.com/library/EquineReview/2008/Nutrition/N41.pdf

I'm still on the fence on this one. I have fed corn oil (2 cups per day) to my OTTB with only the desired effect (weight gain). I also feed flax seed.

Several years ago I tried Wellpride and found that it provided no discernible difference in my two horses. I fed it over a several month period so felt I had given it a good chance. I went back to feeding flax because 1) it's a lot less expensive and 2) With fish oil you have to be very careful that you are feeding oil extracted from fish that have not consumed a lot of heavy metals . . .

Generally, I feed the least expensive oil at Costco -- sometimes it's corn, sometimes, soy, sometimes a blend.

If you are feeding oil for weight gain, the cost of feeding fish oil (Wellpride is $46-$50 for a 30 ounce container) is cost prohibitive. Other fat sources, such as rice bran, don't have anywhere near the caloric punch of oil and is also fairly high in starch.

[Sarabeth]

I bought a large container of Canola from Costco and I have a pump that fits on the container so it's a win win.
Hey, where did you find it? I need one of those. So tired of the mess from the drippy jug...

[ThoroughbredFancy]

Hey, where did you find it? I need one of those. So tired of the mess from the drippy jug...

A fellow boarder had given it to me. It fits my Canola Jug and Cocosoya jug.

I believe she purchased a few from Uckele (the makers of Cocosoya).

[deltawave]

The problem with these articles is that they're not done as scientific pieces, but as a sort of "informational" overview, where the author just skims the surface. There are no references cited, any veterinary quotes are often opinion and not factual, and the whole topic is sort of glossed over.

They fail to take into account the collective level of knowledge of many horse people, which is miles above the level of the writing.

And SmartPak is a great company, but they are out there to sell supplements. Be VERY wary of articles and links to companies that have a product that claims to be different from or better than the unpopular ingredient of the moment. :rolleyes:

[slicksgal]

Ok, I am torn by this latest claim by Smartpak. I have top dressed corn oil to my horses for 20 years. What about these two articles also from Smartpack?!

http://www.smartpakequine.com/Articles.aspx?ArticleName=feedingfatforenergyandpe rformance

http://www.smartpakequine.com/Articles.aspx?ArticleName=isdietaryfatreallyhealth y

[deltawave]

The first article you listed is 13 years old. :) The second one seems reasonably even-handed and rational, and doesn't say anything that is way "out there" in terms of feeding fat. I'd say if you're happy with how your horses have been doing for 20 years, keep the corn oil. :) It isn't poison, no matter how much it's made to seem that way.

[Ghazzu]

This (http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/R_Wander_Dietary_2004.pdf)paper makes me wonder how much difference there is in the horse in which form of fat is fed, isince it looks as though the horse doesn't effectively metabolize linoleic acid to arachidonic acid, which is the precursor to the pro-inflammatory leukotrienes.

If I get the chance, I'll hit the stacks at the TUSVM library. (but don't hold your breath. I'm so far behind right now in my course prep it isn't funny. Oh, well, at least the dog responsible for that is doing better...)

[betsyk]

Since we're talking about the Smartpak catalog, was anyone else disappointed in the number of testimonials and the prominence they were given? It reminded me of the Springtime catalog, which has always driven me crazy. I thought more highly of Smartpak. Makes me wonder if they have a new marketing strategy or firm that is targeting a different demographic -- but I would have thought the more informed or educated horse owner would be their main customer base, rather than the type of person who would base their decisions on testimonials and broad generalizations. I definitely felt this latest catalog was intended for a very different type of horse owner than previously - and it isn't me.

[JB]

This (http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/R_Wander_Dietary_2004.pdf)paper makes me wonder how much difference there is in the horse in which form of fat is fed, isince it looks as though the horse doesn't effectively metabolize linoleic acid to arachidonic acid, which is the precursor to the pro-inflammatory leukotrienes.

Not sure what arachidonic acid is (but I'll find out!) but that's really interesting about possibly not metabolizing linoleic acid, since that's a big marketing point with several fat products.

If I get the chance, I'll hit the stacks at the TUSVM library. (but don't hold your breath. I'm so far behind right now in my course prep it isn't funny. Oh, well, at least the dog responsible for that is doing better...)
Bummer for you, but yay for doggie!

[JB]

Since we're talking about the Smartpak catalog, was anyone else disappointed in the number of testimonials and the prominence they were given?

Not really, since I long ago learned to pretty much ignore those types of testimonials :winkgrin:

[EqTrainer]

Not really, since I long ago learned to pretty much ignore those types of testimonials :winkgrin:

Me, too :lol:

[deltawave]

I'm still glad there's a SmartPak out there to serve the horse world, I applaud their success and appreciate the service they provide. But I also hope they are not getting too big for their britches and sort of think the catalogs have gotten to be too much like "everyone else's" and more fluff than substance. And if they stick the prefix "Smart" on one more product (SmartUnderwear! SmartSocks! SmartEverything!) I think I am going to heave. :D