| Until the "omega-3 rage" flax seed oil was used | | | | does not decrease a person's risk of stroke, heart |
| primarily in wood finishing and to make linoleum. | | | | disease or cancer any more than taking a sugar pill |
| Although it is edible, it has a strong, unpleasant odor | | | | (placebo) would do. |
| and flavor. Its use as a nutritional supplement is | | | | So, why is it still on the market? People don't yet |
| growing, but there are many critics of this use, | | | | understand the difference between it and fish oil. |
| including this writer. | | | | They may be looking for a vegan alternative to |
| The health benefits of fish oils are unquestionable. | | | | increase their omega-3 intake. They may think that |
| They have been the subject of thousands and | | | | fish oils are not safe, because of mercury and other |
| thousands of clinical trials and laboratory studies. They | | | | contaminants in our oceans. The difference between |
| have several different kinds of anti-inflammatory | | | | the two kinds of supplements has been addressed, |
| activity. | | | | above. |
| Fish fats contain Docosahexaenoic acid and | | | | Let me address the other two concerns. |
| Eicosapentaenoic acid (listed on a label as DHA and | | | | Strict vegans have the option of taking a marine |
| EPA). DHA is a major component of brain cells and | | | | algae supplement. Only some marine algae contain |
| the membranes that surround nerve endings. It is the | | | | DHA. It is not a component of a human's natural diet. |
| most abundant of the fatty acids found in the retina | | | | But, if for moral reasons, a person does not want to |
| of the eye. | | | | take fish oil or eat seafood, then marine algae is the |
| During the developmental phases of life, DHA is | | | | best choice. |
| essential for a normal brain and for normal eyes. As | | | | Although flax seed oil is not likely to contain mercury |
| life goes by, it must be consumed in order to | | | | or other contaminants, it has a very short shelf life |
| maintain normal brain function and eye health. Recent | | | | and is likely to contain free radicals. When oils |
| studies show that high DHA intake is related to a | | | | become rancid or spoiled, they contain large amounts |
| lower risk of age-related eye diseases. It might also | | | | of free radicals. They may be carcinogenic. So, while |
| reduce the risk of degenerative brain diseases. | | | | it might not contain mercury, it could still be very bad |
| Flax seed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid and some | | | | for your health. |
| other polyunsaturated fatty acids, but it contains no | | | | The better manufacturers test each batch of fish oils |
| DHA or EPA. It was never used in clinical studies | | | | to insure that they are free of mercury and other |
| concerning the health benefits of omega-3s, although | | | | contaminants. They also test to make sure that the |
| recently the benefits of supplementation were | | | | oils did not spoil before they were encapsulated. |
| evaluated and found to be absent. | | | | So, if you were about to buy flax seed oil, save your |
| After a long-term, well-designed study, researcher | | | | money. You have better choices. |
| concluded that regular consumption of flax seed oil | | | | |