Both flax seed oil vs fish oil are both sources of omega 3 fatty acids, However fish oil is rich in EPA and DHA. On the other hand, flax seed is different because it is carrying the Omega-3 fatty acid ALA instead of the two. ALA needs to be convertedby the body into EPA and DHA, but it is inefficient in doing so. That is why fish oil health supplement is certainly much more advantageous than flax seed oil as it supplies the necessary omega-3 fatty acids directly.
The debate about the benefits offlax seed oil vs fish oil advantages have been raging on for a long time now. While both are sources of Omega-3 fatty acids that the body needs, people disagree on which is more beneficial to the body.
Both of them can help improve the function of the brain as well as of the heart. It’s been also a favorite subject among medical researchers, after studies revealed that they can actually help curb a number of illnesses, including cancer, joint pain, and even mental disorders.
Below are some things that can make the flax seed oil vs fish oil debate a bit more clearer to most buyers of food supplements.
Flax Seed Has a Different Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of fatty acids that are usually found in flax seed as well as fishes found in cold deep seas like the salmon, the anchovy and the herring. As a family, it has several members. The most dominant ones are ALA, EPA and DHA.
That is where the difference starts. Fish oil is rich in EPA and DHA. On the other hand, flax seed is different because it is carrying the Omega-3 fatty acid ALA instead of the two.
ALA Takes Long to Convert into EPA and DHA
It is important to understand that the body can convert ALA into EPA and DHA. However, the body is not so efficient in converting ALA into these two essential fatty acids. This is especially true when the person is already at an advanced age where the body’s capabilities are deteriorating a lot.
EPA, however, can be converted quickly to DHA. That is why fish oil health supplement is certainly much more advantageous than flax seed oil as it supplies the necessary omega-3 fatty acids directly.
Adding to the inefficiency of the body in converting ALA, eating junk foods can introduc trans-fatty acids that can worsen the body’s capability of processing ALA into the necessary fatty acids that our body needs. Thus, in order to introduce sufficient amounts of EPA and DHA into the body, you are better off consuming fish oil products than flax seed oil.
To conclude, while it is true that flax seed oil has omega-3 fatty acids in the form of ALA, it is not effective enough in nourishing the bodies’ needs because it is difficult to convert. Hopefully this sets the flax seed oil vs fish oildebate to rest.
Knowing and Taking Care of Fish Oil Overdose
Although fish oil benefits are many, but we need to watch out for overdose and take only recommended amounts of fish oil as advised by family physician. Fish oil overdose can cause some minor irritation and problems (eg. Diarrhoea, Flatoulence, Fishy aftertaste in the mouth) to the individual though it is rare and the effects are not quite severe.
How Can Fish Oil Lower Cholesterol?
Health agencies acknowledge that fish oil lower cholesterol to acceptable levels . Fish oil is closely related to good cholesterol. Fish oil lowers the cholesterol level in the body specifically the elevated triglyceride levels that are very harmful to anyone’s health condition. Having ample amounts of fish oil in your diet can also reduce the levels of triglyceride in your bloodstream, thus further settling the delicate balance between the levels of HDL and LDL in your body to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Things you should know about recommended fish oil intake
Standard fish oil is not good in acquiring recommended fish oil intake for people with health problems (like cardiovascular concerns).The concentrated EHA and DHA variety is often recommended, because they can contain as much as 490mg EPA and 350mg DHA per one gram capsule. Recommended fish oil intake will not vary with the type of supplement you are taking, except that it is difficult to determine how much EHA and DHA you are receiving from the liquid form of fish oil.
