Can You Take Flax Seed Oil as a Substitute for Fish Oil?

[Aaltrude]

February 25, 2012
Posted by Live in the Now

Many people, including doctors, tout flax seed oil as a substitute for fish oil. Some studies, however, indicate that flax seed oil may not be as reliable as fish oil as a source for those important omega-3 fatty acids.

Flax seed is universally accepted as the best vegetarian source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, and research has shown that the flax seed’s unique nutritional profile can help regulate hormones, improve skin health and even protect against heart disease. Flax seeds are particularly rich in a short-chain omega-3 fatty acid called ALA (alpha linolenic acid). But calling flax a “substitute” may be a stretch.

Read more: http://www.liveinthenow.com/article/is-flax-seed-oil-a-substitute-for-fish-oil

[Maurya]

I have read that anywhere from 0% for EPA to 23% for DHA is the conversion rate from the ALA in flax seed oil. Udo Erasmus disagrees with these figures, but as we have learned from many sources, our enzymes slow down in their activity as we get older.

[Katee]

I've also read that flax is like soy in that it is touted as being very healthy, but it isn't really. I heard recently that like soy, flax has a lot of phytoestrogens that can cause problems.

[Good-day]

Katee, I'm looking for a feed that you posted on about a blind study. Can you tell me the name of it?

[Katee]

Katee, I'm looking for a feed that you posted on about a blind study. Can you tell me the name of it?

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking me, Good-day. (I'm a bit slow in the thinking dept.)

Are you talking about this thread?

Washout (http://www.hawkeshealth.net/community/showthread.php?t=9339&highlight=statistics)

[Pattypans]

That's interesting about phytoestrogens in flax, Katee. I've never heard of that. I have read, though, that flaxseed oil becomes rancid very quickly, and that's reason enough for me to discard it as an option. I think uncontaminated marine oils (and not all marine oils are "created" equal) are the best source of omega-3s. A pure marine oil (with a natural anti-oxidant incorporated) and Vitamin C (in the form of sodium ascorbate) are the only supplements I take.

[Maurya]

All oils that contain essential fatty acids have a great potential for rancidity (oxidation), including flax seed oil, fish oil, krill oil, etc. This is why they must be kept in capsules or in the fridge, and must be consumed while fresh.