FAQs

Who is Canpressco and what do we stand for?

• Canpressco is the founding company of camelina sativa oil in Canada. In 2010 Health Canada granted camelina oil Novel Food Status based on the 2 year application, information, and research of Canpressco Products. Canpressco is a vertically integrated company. We take care of the growing, harvesting, and cold-pressing of our camelina sativa oil. It is this fully integrated approach,  monitoring all elements of the process, that enables us to provide quality and transparent product. Our traceability refers to the fact that every step in the production process is documented and available to our customers.

  Canpressco Camelina Oil pressing facilities are CFIA Approved, HACCP and even GSFI Audited ensuring quality of product and food safety.

Why is traceability important?

• In a time when there is no shortage of concerns about quality product, both in the minds of consumers and splashed across headlines, we understand that our customers want to know how their product is made. We want everyone to take a front row seat in the creation of their horse’s food and be able to reach us with the questions that they have about its production.

Where is Canpressco Camelina Oil produced?

• Canpressco is proud to say that every step in the creation of our products is done right at home on the prairies. We grow our camelina near a town called Midale, Saskatchewan. We also press and bottle the product in SK as well.

Why do our labels state: ‘Not for use in animals on anticoagulant therapy or animals with bleeding disorders. Use in pregnant/lactating animals has not been proven safe. Not for use in horses intended for food.'

• The following is the link to the program site that Health Canada has established for Low Risk Veterinary Health Products (which is what camelina oil is registered under).

  If you go to the Labeling Requirements link, you will see the list that Health Canada has set out as MUST HAVES on every label. This is why the statement is included on the label. It is a required risk statement that Health Canada has stipulated for camelina oil as an LRVHP products.

  Because camelina oil is naturally high in Omega-3 (and Omega-3 is shown to help thin blood, thus preventing heart attacks, heart disease, etc.) that this is why they decided on these two cautionary statements. And because there are no long term, documented studies of supplementing with this oil on pregnant mares or horses with bleeding disorders, in order to protect themselves, they put these generic statements.

What is the recommended dose for my horse?

• 60ml/day is a great starting point for any horse.  You may feed 30ml twice daily, or, if your horse has taken to the fresh flavour added to the food, then 60ml at once is great too!

  For yearlings or younger horses, we suggest starting at 30ml/day and increasing to 45-60ml/day over time.
  You really can’t ‘overdo’ a dosage of camelina oil.  It is a natural product and the only thing you will notice with your horse if ‘overfeeding’ is loose stool.  If you notice this, just pull back a 5-10ml per day and see how they adjust.

Why is it important to supplement with Omega-3 throughout the year?

• It’s important to understand the difference in Omega-3 values inherent in fresh grass versus hay.

  Hay has less Omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E content, so supplementing your horse’s diet with Canpressco is a great way to make up that nutrient deficiency. 

  Here is a great article explaining the importance of Omega-3 supplementation, especially through the Winter months!

Where does camelina oil originate from?

• Camelina is an ancient oilseed that originated in parts of Northern Europe and Central Asia. The seed was grown and pressed for use as a culinary oil throughout Europe up until the mid-1940s. It is a non-GMO oilseed with many nutritional benefits due to the high levels of Omega-3 and Vitamin E inherent in the oil.

  Camelina sativa is the Latin name for the plant and it is part of the brassica plant family.  Other plants in this family are kale, cabbage, broccoli, and mustard.

How long is the shelf life and do I have to refrigerate it?

• Though camelina is highly polyunsaturated and rich in Omega-3, it remains stable due to its high levels of Vitamin E called gamma-tocopherols. These tocopherols act as an antioxidant in camelina oil extending its shelf life over and above any other expeller pressed oils. Camelina oil’s shelf life is 24 months from press date when stored appropriately. This extended shelf life guarantees freshness through the life of your product.

  Light is very detrimental to cold-pressed oils so it is advised that camelina oil be stored in tinted or solid colored containers. In a cool dry place is best.

  The product won’t freeze, but could thicken slightly at -35°C extreme temperatures.

How does camelina oil compare to other oils used for supplementation?

• Camelina oil is unique in that it provides the necessary balance of omega 3: omega 6 (2:1). Both nutrients have important functions within the body, and balancing the two is imperative in order for them to function properly. Because horses are herbivores and grazers, their bodies are naturally inclined to having a higher level of omega 3 compared to omega 6. However, due to the omega 6 found in the grain rations, this ratio is often thrown out of balance; hence the need for camelina oil supplementation.

  Flax oil is known as the Omega-3 champion. However, flax is an unstable source of Omega-3 and has a limited shelf life. It does not withstand heat, must be refrigerated and many do not find that it has a favourable taste profile.

  Hemp Oil is in fact actually higher in omega 6 than omega 3.  It is also less stable than camelina and is recommended to refrigerate the product after opening. There are more benefits in sourcing the hearts than the oil for your horses.

  Canola Oil  contains very little omega 3’s. It is highest in omega 9 fatty acids and also high in omega 6’s.

  Soybean or Corn Oil are most rich in omega 6 fatty acids.  Too much omega 6 is already consumed in a horse’s diet through feed.  In order to assist in balancing out the omega 3: omega 6 ratio it is best to supplement with high omega 3 oils.

  Pumpkin Seed Oil carries very little, if any, omega3’s.  It is mostly known for its assistance in fighting worms and parasites. Pumpkin seeds offer high amounts of protein, iron, zinc and manganese. Some of these nutrients, such as iron, you would not want to over supplement as it hinders the utilization of other micronutrients in your horse’s body.

  To mimic what would be found in pasture, the overall essential fatty acid content of the diet should contain more alpha-linolenic acid (omega 3) than linoleic acid (omega 6). Take the entire diet into consideration when balancing fatty acids. Consider getting creative with newer choices, such as camelina oil, for additional support.

  Click to view our Nutritional Graph

What are Omega-3 fatty acids (essential fatty acids) and what do they do for my horse?

• Dietary Fats are an important part of a healthy diet as the body utilizes them for several purposes such as transporting oxygen through the bloodstream to all parts of the body, cell membrane development and strengthening, strengthening of organs, bones, and tissue, skin and hair coat health, decreasing joint pain in horses with arthritis, assisting in preventing ulcers, aiding in allergic hyperactivity, and they even have anti-inflammatory effects.

  Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are labelled “essential” because they cannot be synthesized or produced by the body. The two primary EFAs are linoleic acid (LA which is synthesized into Omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA which is synthesized into Omega-3). Of these EFAs, ALA is most lacking in your horses’ grain diet.

What is the difference between Omega-3 and Omega-6 and why should I be careful when selecting which oil to supplement with?

• Omega-3 (ALA) and Omega-6 (LA) are two of the nutritional compounds that make up oils and fats. Both are necessary for healthy functioning and both must be sourced in the diet (the body cannot make them on their own). Omega-3 is an anti-inflammatory and helps fight inflammation and swelling. Omega-6 is an inflammatory and can aggravate inflammation and swelling, at times making it worse.

  This article does a fabulous job of outlining the differences between oil supplements currently available on the market.

  Bottom Line: If you are supplementing with an oil that is high in Omega-6 (LA) such as hemp, sunflower or pumpkin oil, it is essential that you balance that with a high Omega-3 (ALA) oil such as camelina oil or flax oil.

How many IU/g of Vitamin E is in the camelina oil?

• The conversion of mg of Vitamin E into IU/g of Vitamin E for camelina is approximately 30IU per 30ml dose. So in the scheme of things, it is not a huge supplement of Vitamin E but does help.

  Here is a great article referencing the importance of Vitamin E in a horses and how much they require in their diet.

  Though the Vitamin E in camelina oil only puts a small dent in the daily requirements, its true value comes from it’s ability to keep camelina oil stable and fresh to ensure the oil does not go rancid while supplementing your horse with it.

Is camelina oil a source of phytoestrogen?

• There are some oilseeds and berries that are considered to be phytoestrogens due to the lignan content of the oilseed, berry seed or whole berry. Lignans are phytoestrogens.

  Camelina seeds do have lignans but the content is very small compared to other oilseeds and berries such as flaxseed, sesame seed, whole hemp seeds, cranberries, blackberries, etc. It is also good to note, the lignans are found in the whole seed or hull of the oilseed. When pressed, the lignans remain in the byproduct, the meal, rather than staying within the oil itself.

  The following is a measure of some of the more common oilseeds and their lignan content measured in ug/100g:

  Flax seed – 702,050

  Sesame seed – 104,446

  Whole hemp seed – 32,473

  Camelina seed – 5,976

  Sea buckthorn seed – 4225

  A research article with further information about lignans in seeds can be found here.

Are there glucosinolates present in camelina oil?

• There are no glucosinolates present in camelina oil. Glucosinolates are an antinutritional compound that are found in seeds (and meal) of brassica plants that are pressed for oil. So just as glucosinolates are found in canola seeds, they are also present in the camelina seed; however they are only present in the seed and the meal (press cake). When the oil is pressed, the glucosinolates are left in the by-product, the meal.

  Camelina meal has, however, received FDA GRAS status, so may be used as a feed ingredient in both ruminant (beef cattle and goats) and monogastric (chicken and swine) feed rations. It is pending approval as an ingredient in dairy rations. This approval is a testament to the low levels of glucosinolates found in the seed/meal.