Organic Flax Seed.
With our lives so hectic these days, it is becoming more and more difficult to make sure we are getting great nutrition. Aside from the proteins and carbohydrates we need, we need essential fatty acids (EFA's) for best health. One of these fats is called omega 3 oil and is available from organic fish oils and organic flax seed oil. So if you want to supplement to make sure you are getting enough omega 3 oil, which type of supplement is the best?
So when thinking of the omega 3 oil family, the chemical alpha-linolenic acid is grandmother this is the starting point. For us to get the benefit, this starting point needs to be converted via intermediate stages (EPA and DHA) to eventually finish up with the biologically active chemical series 3 prostaglandins; which is required for our immune system, for our energy production, for proper brain functioning etc. When you supplement organic flax seed oil, you are getting a good supply of alpha-linolenic acid but need to convert it through all its stages to finish up with the required end product.
Organic fish oils are high in both alpha-linolenic acid and EPA and DHA why? Well it all begins with alpha-linolenic acid being produced by plankton (small sea life). Small fish consume the plankton and then convert a percentage of the alpha-linolenic acid into EPA and DHA. A larger fish eats the smaller fish and creates even more EPA and DHA. Then an even larger fish eats the last fish and absorbs its EPA and DHA and makes even more this is repeated all the way up through the food chain. So when we consume the large oily fish we are getting a good supply of alpha-linolenic acid and also a good already made supply of EPA and DHA.
So what does this all mean? Is it preferable for you to supplement organic fish oil and not organic flax seed oil? The final chemical from either source is the same and just as benefical for you. However, the fish provide us with already partially converted omega 3 oils. This means our bodies don't have to work as hard and use up as many nutrients to get our required end product. The organic flax seed oils on the other hand need to be eaten in larger quantities to finish up with the same amount of needed prostaglandin because we have to do a full conversion.
Well believe it or not, organic flax seed oil still has its supporters. It tastes and smells better than fish oils and is a fabulous dietary supplement for any vegetarians out there. So as we need the EFA's, and if you feel the balance of your diet could do with some help, then organic flax seed oil and organic fish oils could be just what you need.
So when thinking of the omega 3 oil family, the chemical alpha-linolenic acid is grandmother this is the starting point. For us to get the benefit, this starting point needs to be converted via intermediate stages (EPA and DHA) to eventually finish up with the biologically active chemical series 3 prostaglandins; which is required for our immune system, for our energy production, for proper brain functioning etc. When you supplement organic flax seed oil, you are getting a good supply of alpha-linolenic acid but need to convert it through all its stages to finish up with the required end product.
Organic fish oils are high in both alpha-linolenic acid and EPA and DHA why? Well it all begins with alpha-linolenic acid being produced by plankton (small sea life). Small fish consume the plankton and then convert a percentage of the alpha-linolenic acid into EPA and DHA. A larger fish eats the smaller fish and creates even more EPA and DHA. Then an even larger fish eats the last fish and absorbs its EPA and DHA and makes even more this is repeated all the way up through the food chain. So when we consume the large oily fish we are getting a good supply of alpha-linolenic acid and also a good already made supply of EPA and DHA.
So what does this all mean? Is it preferable for you to supplement organic fish oil and not organic flax seed oil? The final chemical from either source is the same and just as benefical for you. However, the fish provide us with already partially converted omega 3 oils. This means our bodies don't have to work as hard and use up as many nutrients to get our required end product. The organic flax seed oils on the other hand need to be eaten in larger quantities to finish up with the same amount of needed prostaglandin because we have to do a full conversion.
Well believe it or not, organic flax seed oil still has its supporters. It tastes and smells better than fish oils and is a fabulous dietary supplement for any vegetarians out there. So as we need the EFA's, and if you feel the balance of your diet could do with some help, then organic flax seed oil and organic fish oils could be just what you need.
