Fish oil and flaxseed oil promise to provide a multitude health benefits to anyone who takes it regularly. Both are excellent sources of good omega-3 fatty acids. But which is better than which? Not all of us have the luxury of time and finances to try and test both and see which one is best to take. So here is a piece of advice put bluntly: fish oil is a better investment for health than flaxseed. Here are three reasons why fish oil is still superior to flaxseed oil.
1. Flaxseed contains high levels of ALA, but the other one active ingredients are EPA and DHA.
Flaxseed Oil Hair
Flaxseed primarily contains the omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is not readily absorbable by the body. When consumed, it enters the body, gets desaturated, and acted upon by enzymes which convert ALA to EPA and then to DHA. The conversion is only partial, and it has been found that ALA in flaxseed is poorly changed to EPA, and conversion to DHA is virtually zero. so the real active EPA and DHA you get is only a fraction of the original dose you started with. Of all the omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA are the ones that directly provide health benefits, while the other one directly provides you what your body needs.
3 Reasons Fish Oil Is Better Than Flax Seed Oil
2. Claims about flaxseed oil are unsubstantiated.
Sure, there are reports on the benefits of flaxseed, but these product claims are still unsubstantiated. There has not been any placebo-controlled, definitive clinical study that proves the effectiveness of this in giving health benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids indeed offer health benefits of different sorts, but it has only been fish oil that is proven to work, thanks to hundreds of clinical studies conducted and continuously being performed.
3. Flaxseed oil may be carcinogenic.
Flaxseed oil is said to promote healthier cardiovascular function, lower blood pressure and improve skin texture. However, flaxseed oil reportedly brings about unwanted side effects - from simple allergic reactions to stomach upset and flatulence, to increased risk for breast cancer.
This is not to say that fish oil is free from unwanted side effects. Depending on where the fish was sourced from, contamination with mercury and other toxins may be present in the fish. This is the reason why consumption of high amounts of fish is highly discouraged. The better option is to go for high quality ultra-refined fish oil supplements instead. These supplements contain the purest form of omega-3 in high, potent amounts to ensure results.
You don't have to get confused which to choose. It still reigns supreme when it comes to omega-3 supplements. So choose your way to health today - take your daily dose of it and enjoy all the health benefits only omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA can provide.
These are supplements that I took for about 4 months. I bought them at Walmart you can purchase flaxseed oil supplements anywhere. Thanks for watching XO Natalie www.twitter.com/natm839
A common question that I receive is what is the difference between fish oil and flaxseed oil? First here are some basics. The "money" fatty acids in fish oil are EPA/DHA; these are long chain omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids. Flaxseed oil contains the short chain n-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). While these three fatty acids may seem similar because they are all n-3 fatty acids but in fact they function very differently physiologically.
One cannot apply findings such as weight loss, triglyceride lowering, protection from sudden death, improvements in joint function seen with fish oil supplementation to flaxseed or ALA supplementation (or just increased intake). People will argue (especially those that sell flaxseed oil and flaxseed oil supplements) that ALA can be converted to EPA and then DHA via elongation and desaturation (basically makes the fatty acid longer and adding more double bonds). However this conversion is EXTREMELY poor, especially in men (estimated by some to be as low as 1-2%). The bad news is that the conversion gets even worse the older you get.
Flaxseed Oil Hair
ALA does have unique and beneficial effects as well so consuming both EPA/DHA and ALA is recommended. Three good sources of ALA are walnuts, flaxseed/flaxseed oil, and canola oil. Flaxseed oil does not have a pleasant taste so a great option is garlic-chili infused flaxseed oil. It is awesome on salads. You also do not want to heat or cook with flaxseed oil because it is very prone to oxidation. I commonly get emails from people that state that they don't supplement with fish oil but instead supplement with flaxseed oil capsules. As you know from my previous entry exchanging fish oil for flax is not an equal trade. It is also very important to realize that these people are wasting a tremendous amount of money. When supplementing your diet with fats capsules are by far the most expensive way to go (because you have to pay for the capsules and the fatty acids). ALA is also readily oxidized (e.g. burned, turned into, etc) to energy. Studies have shown that up to 35% of ALA is immediately oxidized for energy - that's expensive energy! Adding flaxseed oil and ALA to your diet is a wise choice just don't use the capsules as it is NOT a very cost effective approach.
Fish Oil vs Flaxseed Oil - Which is Better?
Fish Oil vs Flaxseed Oil - Which is Better?
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REVIEW: Flaxseed oil for beard growth Video Clips. Duration : 4.18 Mins.
These are supplements that I took for about 4 months. I bought them at Walmart you can purchase flaxseed oil supplements anywhere. Thanks for watching XO Natalie www.twitter.com/natm839
