Flaxseed Oil Vs Fish Oil - Which is the Best? |
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It is true that omega 3 fatty acids have been receiving a lot of praise in the last few years. Prestigious institutions such as the American Heart Institute (AHA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have openly endorsed them, encouraging people to include them in their diet. This media exposure has triggered a lot of debate among consumers as to which are the best sources of omega 3 acids. One of the hottest controversies is the flaxseed oil vs fish oil debate. While it is true than both flaxseed and fish oil are top sources of omega 3 acids, it seems that most of the experts agree that fish is superior. There are, however, a couple of pitfalls that you should look out for. What I would like to do first, is to explain why fish oil is generally considered to be better. Flaxseed oil vs fish oil Although there are several omega 3 fatty acids, the most common are three: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and finally ?-Linolenic acid (ALA). What is different between flaxseed and fish oil is that ALA is found in flaxseed, while DHA and EPA are found in fish oil. Because ALA cannot be readily absorbed by the body, it has to be converted first into DHA or EPA. The complication, however, is that this conversion process is not quite efficient. What does this mean in terms of nutrition? Simply that, if you rely on flaxseed oil alone for your daily omega 3 intake, then chances are that you will not be getting adequate quantities of DHA or EPA. Pitfalls of obtaining omega 3s from fish Now, let's talk a little bit about the pitfalls you should avoid when you consider obtaining omega 3 acids from fish. Firstly, what you should do, by the way this is what FDA recommends as well, is that you should try to cut down on your consumption of fish and enrich your diet by taking purified, molecularly distilled fish oil supplements. The sad reality is that, in this day and age, the chances that the fish caught from the oceans around the world are polluted, are indeed very high. Toxic substances such as heavy metals like mercury and PCBs, are often found in fish. The alternative is to eat fish that are farm raised. These, however, because they are fed pellets and do not get their nutrition from the diet in their natural habitats, they cease to be natural sources of omega 3 acids. Molecular distillation is the only reliable process of making sure that all harmful contaminants and toxins are removed from the fish before their fish oil is extracted. The second pitfall is related to the species of fish that the fish oil is extracted from. Not all fish have the same quantities of DHA and EPA acids. In general, fish that live in cold deep waters around the world are considered to be the top sources for these valuable essential fatty acids. In conclusion, just remember that the key to better health is reliable and objective information. Learn more how omega 3 fish oil can improve your health and consider supplementing your daily diet. |
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