Scientists studied how different types of healthy fats affect older horses’ bodies and energy production. They found that adding omega-3 oils from flaxseed or omega-6 oils from corn to the diet had some unexpected effects on how cells produce energy, especially in muscles and blood cells. The good news? When researchers added extra supportive nutrients alongside the oils, the negative effects went away and cells worked better. This research helps us understand that sometimes adding one healthy thing to a diet isn’t enough—it might need other nutrients to work properly.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adding omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids (healthy fats) to an older horse’s diet would improve how their cells produce energy and stay healthy
  • Who participated: Aged female horses averaging about 23 years old (similar to very elderly humans). The study lasted 12 weeks total—6 weeks with just the oil supplements, then 6 more weeks with added supportive nutrients
  • Key finding: Adding oils alone actually made some cells less efficient at producing energy and created more harmful molecules called free radicals. However, when extra supportive nutrients were added, these problems improved significantly
  • What it means for you: If you’re considering adding fish oil or other fatty acid supplements for aging health, this suggests that supplements work best when combined with other supporting nutrients. Talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement routine

The Research Details

Researchers gave older horses two different types of oil supplements—one rich in omega-3 fatty acids (flaxseed oil) and another rich in omega-6 fatty acids (corn oil)—for 6 weeks. They then added a special nutrient formula designed to support overall health for another 6 weeks. Throughout the study, scientists took samples of blood, muscle tissue, and reproductive cells to measure how the oils affected the cells’ ability to produce energy and create harmful free radicals.

Horses were chosen for this study because they age similarly to humans and their reproductive systems decline with age just like ours do. This makes them excellent models for understanding how aging affects human health. The researchers measured very specific things at the cellular level—how efficiently cells could use oxygen to make energy and how much cellular damage (from free radicals) was occurring.

This type of study is important because it allows scientists to test supplements in a living body system before recommending them to people. By measuring changes in actual tissues and cells, researchers can see effects that wouldn’t show up in simpler laboratory tests.

Understanding how supplements affect our cells at the most basic level helps us make better health decisions. Many people take omega-3 and omega-6 supplements thinking they’re universally helpful, but this research shows the picture is more complicated. By studying this in aging animals, scientists can better understand what might happen in aging humans and how to use supplements safely and effectively.

This study was published in Scientific Reports, a well-respected scientific journal. The researchers measured multiple types of cells and used precise laboratory methods to assess mitochondrial function (how cells make energy). However, the study was conducted in horses, so results may not apply exactly the same way to humans. The study also didn’t specify the exact number of horses used, which would help readers understand how confident we should be in the results.

What the Results Show

When horses received omega-3 or omega-6 oil supplements alone for 6 weeks, their muscle and blood cells became less efficient at producing energy. Additionally, cells in the reproductive system and muscles released more free radicals—harmful molecules that can damage cells. Interestingly, both types of oils (omega-3 and omega-6) had similar negative effects, suggesting the problem wasn’t about which type of oil, but rather about how the body handled extra oil without proper support.

When the supportive nutrient formula was added in the second 6 weeks, the picture changed dramatically. Cells became better at producing energy efficiently, and the harmful free radical release decreased across all cell types. The egg cells (oocytes) also showed improved energy consumption, which is important for reproductive health in aging females.

These results suggest that dietary oils work best when combined with other nutrients that help the body process and use them effectively. The oils alone created an imbalance that stressed the cells’ energy-producing systems, but adding supportive nutrients restored balance and improved function.

The study found tissue-specific effects, meaning different types of cells responded differently to the supplements. Blood cells and muscle cells showed the most dramatic decreases in energy production efficiency with oil supplements alone. Reproductive cells showed increased free radical production. These differences suggest that various tissues in the body have different nutritional needs and may require different combinations of nutrients to function optimally.

Previous research has generally recommended omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for aging populations to prevent weight loss and reduce chronic disease risk. This study doesn’t contradict that recommendation but adds important nuance: these supplements appear to work best when part of a comprehensive nutritional approach rather than used in isolation. The finding that both omega-3 and omega-6 had similar effects is somewhat surprising, as previous research sometimes suggested they might have different impacts on the body.

The study was conducted in horses, not humans, so we can’t be completely certain the same effects would occur in people. The exact number of horses studied wasn’t specified, which makes it harder to judge how reliable the results are. The study only lasted 12 weeks, so we don’t know what would happen with longer-term supplementation. Additionally, the study measured effects at the cellular level but didn’t track larger health outcomes like overall fitness or disease prevention over time.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, if you’re considering omega-3 or omega-6 supplements for aging-related health concerns, discuss with your healthcare provider about using them as part of a comprehensive nutritional plan rather than as standalone supplements. The evidence suggests these supplements work better when combined with other supportive nutrients. This is a moderate-confidence recommendation based on animal research that needs human confirmation.

This research is most relevant to older adults concerned about maintaining energy levels, reproductive health, and preventing age-related decline. It’s also important for anyone considering starting fish oil or other fatty acid supplements. People with mitochondrial disorders or those taking multiple supplements should find this particularly relevant. However, this research shouldn’t change current recommendations without further human studies.

In the horse study, positive changes appeared within 6 weeks of adding supportive nutrients. In humans, benefits might take 4-12 weeks to become noticeable, depending on individual factors. Don’t expect immediate changes; nutritional improvements typically develop gradually.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using omega-3 or omega-6 supplements, track energy levels daily on a 1-10 scale and note any changes in muscle strength or endurance. Also track what other nutrients you’re consuming to ensure a balanced approach to supplementation
  • Instead of taking fish oil or other fatty acid supplements alone, create a comprehensive supplement routine that includes supporting nutrients like antioxidants, B vitamins, and minerals. Log your complete supplement stack in the app to ensure balanced nutrition
  • Set weekly check-ins to assess energy levels, muscle function, and overall wellbeing. After 6-8 weeks, review whether adding supportive nutrients alongside fatty acid supplements has improved your results compared to taking supplements individually

This research was conducted in horses and has not been directly tested in humans. While the findings are scientifically interesting, they should not be used to make personal health decisions without consulting your healthcare provider. Do not start, stop, or change any supplements or medications based on this research alone. If you have concerns about aging, energy levels, or reproductive health, speak with your doctor about appropriate testing and treatment options. This summary is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.