There was an interesting study done in a small number of horses years ago looking at the effect of supplementing linoleic acid vs linolenic acid on their response to an infusion of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin). This study was done because endotoxemia is a frequent clinical problem in horses, especially with gastrointestinal emergencies. The study showed a clear attenuated response to endotoxin administration in the horses supplemented with linolenic acid.

Of course, endotoxemia is an exaggerated response to bacterial toxins, a response that normally is actually highly protective. Tilting the equation out of balance with “good” supplements always carries a hidden risk. The trick is in finding the right balance, which is very difficult given the choices we have at the supermarket, and even the health food stores!