Questions and Answers on Flaxseed Oil Benefits

If you are not familiar with flaxseed oil, then most definitely, you have plenty of questions, especially about flaxseed oil benefits. You may also want to know how different flaxseed oil benefits are from those of pure seeds or even fish oil. You will know the answers here.  

Where do you extract flaxseed oil? 

Flaxseed oil is derived from flax seeds, which come from flax plant. It has a scientific name of Linum usitatissimum . 

What does it contain? 

Flaxseed oil has two kinds of essential fatty acids: omega 3 and omega 6. Both are considered to be polyunsaturated fats and are excellent for the health.  

Because of the presence of these fatty acids, the oil also has ALA or alpha-linolenic acid. When the oil is ingested, ALA is converted by the body into EPA or eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid or DHA.  

How different or similar are flaxseed oil to fish oil? 

They do share certain similarities. For example, they both have omega-3 fatty acids. However, they may differ when it comes to the benefits. Fish oil has already been known to be effective in treating, managing, and preventing cardiovascular disease, as well as inflammation. The same thing may not be said about flaxseed oil, as the results of studies are mixed.  

Also, flaxseed oil is composed of between 50 to 60 percent of omega-3 via ALA. That is more than what you can find in fish oil. Nevertheless, since the body does not have enough mechanism to effectively convert ALA into DHA and EPA found in fish oils, both flaxseed oil and fish oil may not share the same benefit.  

Can omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids co-exist properly? 

The answer is yes, but it is important that you can strike a balance between the two. They do have the tendency to cancel each other out. For example, too much of omega-6 fatty acids leads to inflammation, while omega-3 fatty acids reduces it.   

The imbalance is one of the explanations why there is a rising rate of inflammatory disorders, experts believed. The usual American diet has up to 25 times more omega-6 compared to omega-3. The ideal diet states that omega-6 fatty acids should be just up to 4 times more than omega-3.  

Can flaxseed oil lower down cholesterol? 

If you are talking about the bad cholesterol or LDL, that is still a favorite subject for argument in medical societies. However, it does show an ability to increase good cholesterol or HDL in the blood. One simply needs to follow a Mediterranean diet, characterized by usage of healthy oils, including flaxseed oil.  

You may also have to consume whole grains, fruits, fish, vegetables, and poultry. Red meat is a no-no.   

How about for the heart? 

The one that is good for the heart is flaxseed. There is not enough evidence that suggests the oil version can prevent cardiovascular diseases. However, a diet rich in ALA can improve heart health.  

Is there a difference between flaxseed oil and flaxseed? 

One of the major differences between the two is lignan, which is a kind of phytonutrient that plays a huge role in treating and preventing cancer. It is only found in the seeds.  

How do you buy flaxseed oil? 

If you want to experience flaxseed oil benefits, you can buy them in either soft gel or liquid form. You should look for those that are produced through cold-pressing and are stored in dark containers. They are very sensitive to light and heat. It may also help if you buy these supplements from certified companies.  

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