Flaxseed Oil
This
is an educational site for anyone looking for information on fish
oil. None of the information is a substitute for expert medical advice
and should not be taken over the advice of a physician.
Flaxseed oil is a rich, vegetarian source of omega 3 and omega
6 essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are critical in the
production of prostaglandins. In the body prostaglandins help regulate
fat metabolism, inflammatory response, hormones, as well as the
cardiovascular, immune and central nervous systems. There is some
concern by physicians that modern diets may be too rich in omega
6 fatty acids and deficient in omega 3's, which can contribute to
health concerns.
Flaxseed oil is heart-healthy because it contains alpha-linolenic
acid. Flaxseed itself (ground or whole) also contains lignans, which
may have antioxidant actions and may help protect against certain
cancers, though this is far from certain. Skip flaxseed supplements,
though.
Flaxseed oil is derived from the seeds of the flax plant. Flaxseed
oil and flaxseed contain substances that promote good health. Flaxseed
oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid
that appears to be beneficial for heart disease, inflammatory bowel
disease, arthritis and a variety of other health conditions. Flaxseed,
in addition to ALA, contains a group of chemicals called lignans
that may play a role in the prevention of cancer. Please see the
flaxseed monograph for further information on this herbal agent.
ALA, as well as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA), belongs to a group of substances called omega-3 fatty
acids. EPA and DHA are found primarily in fish while ALA is mostly
found in flaxseed oil and other vegetable oils. Although similar
in structure, the benefits of ALA, EPA, and DHA are not necessarily
the same.
It is important to maintain an appropriate balance of omega-3 and
omega-6 (another essential fatty acid) in the diet as these two
substances work together to promote health. These essential fats
are both examples of polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs. Omega-3
fatty acids help reduce inflammation and most omega-6 fatty acids
tend to promote inflammation. An inappropriate balance of these
essential fatty acids contributes to the development of disease
while a proper balance helps maintain and even improve health. A
healthy diet should consist of roughly two to four times more omega-6
fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids. The typical American diet
tends to contain 14 to 25 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3
fatty acids and many researchers believe this imbalance is a significant
factor in the rising rate of inflammatory disorders in the United
States.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation and help
prevent certain chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis.
These essential fatty acids appear to be particularly important
for cognitive and behavioral function as well as normal growth and
development.
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