Flax Seed Information

Flax Seed Oil Information

Flax seed, also known as linseed, has been harvested the world over. In ancient times, people used it primarily as a digestion aid, although science has nowadays revealed many more potent benefits.

Flax seed is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are important substances for heart health. You may have heard in the media about flax seed and cholesterol.

This is because the Omega-3 content can help lower LDL (the bad cholesterol that clogs arteries) and help increase HDL (the good cholesterol that helps clean them).

Flax seed also harbors anti-inflammatory properties, which may help a broad range of health conditions.

The main benefit of flax seed oil seems to lie in its ALA fatty acid content. However, the ALA in flax seed needs to be converted by your body to long chained Omega-3 fats. It is these Omega-3 fatty acids that are then utilized by the body in a variety of ways, as mentioned above for health health.

The drawback, however, is that people in poor health can have difficulty in effectively producing the needed conversion of ALA to Omega-3's.

Therefore, some experts recommend that instead of taking Flax Seed, you take a rich source of Omega-3 fats directly.

So, what is a superior source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

Recent evidence indicates that fish oil may be a better source for the Omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil, especially harvested from cold water fish, contains the important fatty acids DHA and EPA. The DHA and EPA in fish oils do not have to be converted by the body like the ALA in Flax, as they are already long-chain Omega-3 fats and are readily absorbed by the body.

Interested in finding out more about the benefits of fish oil and how to choose a quality supplement?

Please visit our fish oil page.

It could be one of the most important health decisions you ever make.