Flax Seed Oil

[nicholandrew]

Flax Seed Oil is a rich source of Omega-3 Fatty Acid, alpha linolenic acid, which is necessary for a wide variety of biological processes. Flax Seed Oil is highly recommended for the general well being, whole body nutrition and helps in restoring body's natural balance of good and bad prostaglandins. Flax Seed Oil contains omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium, lecithin, magnesium, fiber, protein, and zinc.Flax Seed Oil also comes in an edible form, sold mostly at health-food stores. Like olive, canola, and most other plant oils, it is highly unsaturated and heart-healthy.

[Keith]

On the flip side, it should be pointed out that Flaxseed is a much, much less efficient source of EPA and DHA than Fish Oil. Our bodies can convert the ALA in Flaxseed oil to EPA at around a 10:1 ratio. (Our bodies can convert EPA to DHA too). (see EPA DHA)

Worse, while EPA & DHA protect against prostate cancer, eating high levels af plant ALA doubles the chance of men developing advanced prostate cancer!!! (Dietary intake of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and the risk of prostate cancer -- Leitzmann et al. 80 (1): 204 -- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). (Animal ALA is almost as bad at 1.5x).

[justin]

Hmm, I smell spam. (looking at nicholandrew...)

[Trustme]

yes, really looks like spam - the links should be removed.

[Jim]

Links directly to the store is a bit spammy, so I removed them.

Nonetheless, the conversation can still procede. I've thought about adding Flax Seed Oil to my diet, but from what I have read (and appears to be verified above) is that it won't do much that Fish Oil isn't already doing for me.

[Jehosephat]

Are you all talking about Flax Seed and Fish oils by themselves or as they occur in foods? Also, with regards to the dangers of high levels of ALA. What kind of amounts are we talking about?

[thadroe]

Yeah, I can't see a huge benefit in Flax Oil if you're already taking fish oil. I think if you're going to add anything like that, you'd be better off just adding the ground flax seeds themselves...there are other good nutrients in flax besides just the oils.

I've also heard that flax oil can be a bit unstable and go rancid pretty easily. Although that's easy to tell because it supposedly starts to smell like paint.

Thad

[Rach]

i use flax seeds...they are great mixed in a soy shake with berries...or soemtimes in salads, but i dont really prefer the raw taste of them.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Jim

Links directly to the store is a bit spammy, so I removed them.

It looked like spam to me too, but I figured it fell under this clause of the Forum Guidelines "[...] politely informing members of products and services that may benefit them and which fit the forum topics is acceptable."

Advertising health supplements in the Health & Fitness forum seemed to pass that criterion.

Originally Posted by Jim

Nonetheless, the conversation can still procede. I've thought about adding Flax Seed Oil to my diet, but from what I have read (and appears to be verified above) is that it won't do much that Fish Oil isn't already doing for me.

Yup, fish oil is a great source of EPA and DHA. The main reason you would take flaxseed oil instead is if you were vegan.

Jehosophat, I've posted a link to the study but, to be honest, I have trouble translating all that jargon myself. Perhaps someone more used to medical studies would be so kind as to translate the specifics?

Finally, a quick note: apparently our bodies can't digest flax seed shells, so taking them does you absolutely no good unless you grind them first.

[duhshuh]

I highly recommend ground flax seeds... a great source of both soluble and insoluble fiber along with many other nutrients.

I put on my cereal every morning and it definitely keeps me regular

[Sunsingh]

A Naturopath once told me that 2 tablespoons of flax seed oil per day is theminimum I should be getting as a vegetarian. Just wondering, does anyone have ideas for how to make this stuff taste better? Besides pills i mean.

[duhshuh]

Originally Posted by Sunsingh

A Naturopath once told me that 2 tablespoons of flax seed oil per day is theminimum I should be getting as a vegetarian. Just wondering, does anyone have ideas for how to make this stuff taste better? Besides pills i mean.

You can mix it with other things, but there is no way you will be able to get rid of the oily feeling it leaves or the aftertaste it has. I found that I became used to the taste after only a short while... maybe you will have similar experiences.