Abstract: Disclosed are novel feed supplements for ruminants and methods for making the same. The feed supplements include unsaturated fatty acid encapsulated by a protective coating. Through utilization of the disclosed feed supplements, dietary intake and absorption of unsaturated fatty acids can be increased, due to protection of the ingested unsaturated fatty acids from biohydrogenation in the animal's rumen. The methods of the invention can be utilized to increase unsaturated fatty acid levels in the animal's tissues. Hence, food products obtained from the animal can also have an increased unsaturated fatty acid content and correspondingly lower saturated fatty acid content.