Fish Oil Health Benefits: What You Don’t Know About Flaxseed Oil
Posted by Michael Byrd on Nov 07 2006 | Tagged as: Fish Oil Health Benefits, Healthy Eating Habits, Omega 3
Ok! Time to step on some toes. Maybe not yours, but certainly someone’s toes, especially someone who uses flaxseed oil. I know a lot of you take flaxseed oil because you’ve been told it’s good for you and that it’s a rich source of omega 3s. But there’s a lot about flaxseed oil you haven’t been told. And I’m going to tell you!
First of all, Flaxseed oil is not a good source of omega 3s. It contains only ALA, which is just one of the eight omega 3 family members. It’s the lowest omega 3 on the chain and despite the fact that marketers like to exploit its “essential†status, there are much better sources for ALA than flaxseed oil.
Presumable, flaxseed oil ALA can convert to the other omega 3 fatty acids. This may be true in a perfect world, but in the world we live in it’s next to impossible for your body to convert enough ALA into the other omega 3s to keep up with your body’s great demand for it. In this case, you’d be better off taking the preformed versions of omega 3s found in fish.
Companies who sell flaxseed oil are only riding on the research that proves fish oil omega 3 is a better choice. Most consumers don’t take the time to learn the difference, and this is how these companies get away with it – but not for long.
A new review of omega 3 studies found that, “Evidence suggests that increased consumption of n-3 FAs from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not of alpha-linolenic acid [flaxseed oil], reduces the rates of all-cause mortality, cardiac and sudden death, and possibly stroke.†(Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jul;84(1):5-17)
This should be no surprise for those of you who know the true name and nature of flaxseed oil. If you’re surprised, then it’s obvious that you didn’t know that flaxseed oil was traditionally called “linseed†oil for generations and it was used to thin paints, polish furniture and make linoleum flooring. As a matter of fact, flaxseed oil isn’t even considered edible oil for humans by the USDA.
If you want omega 3 benefits, then you should eat more cold water oily fish and supplement your diet with a reputable omega 3 supplement. (Sorry vegetarians! Looks like you’ll have to become a pescetarian.)
on 03 Sep 2009 at 6:40 am 1 Phyllis Baxter said …
I have been taking flaxseed oil for awhile and my legs are so sore and weak. My optomologist told me
to take it for my eyes. I have blephoritis and dry
eye syndrome. I also have restless legs. Do you
think flaxseed oil could cause any of these problems?
I cannot take fish oil – it gives me stomach problems. It is my weak and sore legs I am really concerned about.
Thanks for your help.
on 07 Sep 2009 at 10:22 am 2 Michael Byrd said …
To my regular readers, it’s NO surprise why I’m a strong opponent to flax seed oil. Yes it’s an omega 3 and those who are not well versed on the subject might think it’s as good as fish oil omega 3s, BUT – and this is a BIG but – it’s not what your body needs OR wants.
Flax seed oil, which only contains ALA – the lowest member of the omega 3 family, will only convert from .05% to .5% of the total to long-chain omega 3s, like EPA and virtually NONE to DHA. What your body needs in abundance are the long-chain omega 3s and flax oil can’t deliver. In other words, why take something your body has to convert – and very poorly at that – when you can take fish oil omega 3s that your body can readily use – without a difficult conversion process.
Could the flax oil be causing your leg problems to persist? I’ll leave that up to the scientists BUT I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt on my part that flax seed oil isn’t helping.
The fact that fish oils cause you stomach problems may have to do with taking poor quality fish oil products. Nearly 95% of the brands on the market give you more non-omega 3, unlabeled fish oils than they give you of the omega 3s. These non-omega 3 fish oils are difficult for many people to digest. I suggest you upgrade to a better brand that provides ONLY omega 3s. Also, you can try freezing the capsules and taking them in the evening after dinner. This slows the digestion process down and makes it easier for people who have difficulty. I don’t know if this works for all brands but it does work for Salmon Oil Plus (http://www.omega-3.us).
Best of luck! – Michael