Fish Oil Vs Flax Seed Oil - All the Same Thing?

Recently when I visited my parents, they proudly produced a large bottle of flax seed, and proceeded to put it in everything from salad dressing to oatmeal to spaghetti sauce! When I asked them why, they explained they were trying to get more omega 3 in their diets. I was intrigued, so I did a little research into the benefits of fish oil vs flax seed oil. Is one better than the other?

Turns out the body needs omega 3 in order to nourish the brain, the heart, the skin, the joints - even the eyes! It is broken down into three main parts: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ALA (alpha linolenic acid). The first two are found primarily in oily species such as salmon, herring and tuna; the latter in algae and other plant life.

Flax seed oil is a good source of fiber and of 6, along with several other vitamins. It's particularly effective as a laxative, and for fighting PMS and menopause. However, as with so many natural products, it easily goes rancid. It's very important to buy it in small doses, frequently.

Since it is a plant-sourced fatty acid, it produces ALA. ALA is converted in the body to EPA and DHA. This process isn't very efficient - your body can only get about 5% to 20% of the dose converted! So unless you're a vegetarian, it's recommended that you use a more traditional method of getting omega 3 if possible.

Fish oil, such as that found in mackerel, herring, anchovies and Hoki, on the other hand, is already converted into EPA and DHA. Your body gets the full benefit right away, giving you an edge over:

• Heart Disease


• Cholesterol


• Stiffness and Joint Aches


• Dementia and Alzheimers'


• ADD / AHDH

You have to be careful though when you choose an omega 3 from marine life. There is a risk of contamination if you don't look for specific qualifications on the bottle. You need to be able to trust the source of your product, and this is definitely not a good time to go for the cheapest on the market.

Look for a product sourced from very clean water, and from very very small fish, who are the least likely to be contaminated.