Camelina, Flaxseed or Canola?

Since the dawn of time many of us have been adding some kind of oil to our horse’s diet. We all know oil helps keep them shiny, but what is the difference between Camelina and Flaxseed and Canola? Which one is best for my horse? Why?

Flaxseed: Old School and Still Working

Flaxseed was a go-to for all of the horse trainers and traders in the 50’s and 60’s. Horse owners mixing their own feed always made sure there was some flaxseed in there. Because it actually helps the horses.

🧬 1. Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA): The Main Player

• ALA makes up about 55–60% of the fatty acids in flaxseed oil—this is the highest among common oils.

• ALA is a precursor to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)—the two omega-3s found in fish oil that are known to regulate inflammation.

🛡️ 2. How ALA Reduces Inflammation:

✅ Downregulates pro-inflammatory molecules
ALA helps reduce production of:

• C-reactive protein (CRP)

• Interleukin-6 (IL-6)

• Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)

These are the kinds of markers you’ll see elevated in animals with chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions, or metabolic syndrome.

✅ Modifies cell membrane composition
Omega-3 fats like ALA integrate into cell membranes, replacing more inflammatory omega-6 fats. This leads to:

• Fewer inflammatory compounds produced during immune responses

• Better cell signaling and immune regulation

✅ Inhibits NF-κB activation
NF-κB is a major pro-inflammatory signaling pathway. ALA helps inhibit it, calming inflammation at a cellular level.

Camelina oil has been getting more attention lately. Here’s a breakdown of how camelina oil stacks up against canola oil:

🧠 Nutrition:

Camelina Oil:

• Super rich in omega-3 fatty acids (especially alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA)—more than canola.

• Has a better omega-3 to omega-6 ratio than canola oil (important for inflammation control and heart health).

• High in vitamin E (tocopherols), which acts as an antioxidant.

Canola Oil:

• Also has omega-3s, but less than camelina.

• More omega-6s, which can contribute to inflammation if over-consumed.

• Decent vitamin E content, but not as much as camelina.

🟢 Winner for nutrition: Camelina oil

🧬 1. Omega Fatty Acids:

This is where camelina really shines.

✅ Why it matters:

• Higher Omega-3s in camelina help reduce inflammation, support heart and brain health, and are good for skin.

• Camelina has a much better omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, often near 2:1, while canola is closer to 1:2, which leans more toward pro-inflammatory.

🛡️ 2. Antioxidants:

Camelina is loaded with natural antioxidants, especially vitamin E (tocopherols):

✅ Why it matters:

• Vitamin E protects cells from oxidative damage.

• Helps preserve the oil’s shelf life naturally.

🧠 4.  Anti-inflammatory Benefits:

• A better omega-3/6 balance contributes to reduced systemic inflammation.

TL;DR – Camelina vs. Canola Nutritional Showdown: