|
Omega 3 Eggs and Poultry Feed Because the typical western diet is high in omega-6 linoleic acid and low in omega-3 fatty acids, experts recommend replacing some omega-6 fatty acids with those from the omega-3 family. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the parent compound of the omega-3 fatty acid family. It is called an “essential” fatty acid because it is required in the diet and humans can not manufacture it. An excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids is the omega-3 enriched egg derived from hens fed flaxseed.
In recent years flaxseed has been incorporated into laying hen rations because research has proven that egg yolk lipids can be influenced through dietary fat. Specifically, omega-3 fatty acids in the yolk can be enriched by adding flaxseed to laying hen diets. One large omega-3 enriched egg contains about 7 to 10 times more omega-3 fatty acids than a regular large egg and provides nearly half the optimal ALA daily intake level. Adding flaxseed to broiler diets also increases the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in poultry meat. Feeding flaxseed changes the pattern of fatty acid composition in broiler meat in a very similar manner to the way egg yolk fatty acid composition is altered by feeding flaxseed to layers.
|
|
The following is a list of companies that produce omega-3 enriched eggs: |
| Egg Innovations 3420 Hwy. W. Port Washington, WI 53074 |
| Tel: 262-284-1619 Fax: 262-284-9333 www.egginnovations.com |
| Eggland's Best, Inc. 860 First Ave., Suite 842 King of Prussia, PA 19406 |
| Tel: 610-265-6500 Fax: 610-265-8380 www.eggland.com |
| Giving Nature Foods 16 S. State Street Newtown, PA 18940 |
| Tel: 215-860-9820 Fax: 215-860-9827 www.givingnaturefoods.com |
| Chino Valley Ranchers 5611 Peck Road Arcadia, California 91006 |
| Tel: 800-354-4503 www.chinovalleyranchers.com |
