Our Food Should Be Our Medicine

Over 2000 years ago, Hippocrates, often considered the “father of scientific medicine,” proposed a novel concept. Hippocrates noted, “Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food”. This concept is clearly evident in some of the recent research conducted at Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) by former graduate student Jacqueline Hoyt.

Hoyt recently graduated with a Master degree specializing in Animal Physiology and was part of research program designed to determine the effects of feeding omega-3 fatty acid enriched feed to dairy cows. Although the scope of the entire research project encompassed all the potential effects from omega-3 fatty acids, Hoyt specifically focused on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on dairy cow reproduction and milk composition.

“I was interested in this project because of my studies in animal physiology combined with my farming background, which is why I am also interested in the dairy industry and milk quality,” says Hoyt.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in high concentrations in micro algae and fish oil and are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid with multiple health benefits. They have anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce cardiovascular disease and arthritis, and certain omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to play a role in normal brain and tissue development. However, past research has yielded conflicting reports on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on milk production.

The research done at the NSAC found no differences in milk production, milk composition, or cow body weight as a result of feeding dairy cows enriched feed (with either micro algae or fish oil). There was, however, an increase in the suppression of a hormone that may negative affects on pregnancy when using the enriched feed supplement, reinforcing other research that omega-3 fatty acid enriched feed might benefit reproduction.

Hoyt is optimistic about the results and the continuing work from her research team. Ultimately, she would like to see a supplement developed that could be produced commercially to improve reproduction, milk quality, and ultimately human health through consumption of naturally produced omega-3 fatty acid enriched milk. Hoyt hopes that this research might eventually create milk that could be used to help treat cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and perhaps human reproduction.

Despite the success of recent experiments, there remain many challenges in developing an omega-3 enriched feed commercially. One problem is the cost associated with producing algae. To provide enough algae or fish oil to feed an entire herd, the cost would be immense. Thus, new technologies might be needed to lower the cost of producing algae, so it could eventually be mass produced. Another less obvious challenge would be verifying that there was no change to the taste of milk.

“When I was at a conference, someone asked me if I had a taste panel as part of my experiment. I hadn’t thought of it before, but some people were worried there might be a ‘fishy’ taste to the milk,” Hoyt explains, but she was quick to add, “But the truck drivers have to taste it before they ship it, and no one’s complained so far.”

As mentioned, Hoyt’s research is just one step to develop a commercial product, but she is still thankful for the opportunity her sponsor, the National Science and Engineering Research Council, has given her.

“Any student interested in research should apply. It’s an excellent opportunity and feels great to be recognized by a national source,” says Hoyt, “The master’s program at the NSAC allows us to be creative and innovative and I think that corresponds perfectly with NSERC’s goals.”