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Fish oil of Flax oil?

bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2005/04/09, 01:06 PM This is a questin that seems to come up alot, and thought maybe I could put down some points of interest pertaining to the both of them. I have to begin this with some "science" first that is needed to point to the difference, so bear with this first part. First off fats are made up of fatty acids that are simply long chains of carbon atoms which are held together by single or double bonds and surrounded by hydrogen atoms. The number of bonds and hydrogen molecules determines whether fatty acids are classified as saturated, monosaturated, or polyunsaturated. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids fall into the PUF category, some of which are considered "essential" fatty acids (EFA's) because the body cannot manufacture them. Now, depending on which type of EFA is consumed and stored by the body, diferent types of the biologically active eicosanoids are formed. Now, Eicosanoids only come from fatty acids that are 20 carbons long. Here is where we get to the difference.... Flax seed oil contains an omega 3 fatty acid called linolenic acid, but it only has 18 carbons. The body must make it longer for it to become bioactive However if a great amount of the bodys resources are being used to convert omega 6's to their active form, the mechanism for converting linolenic acid from flax seed oil to its active form may not always be available-therefore causing additional strain on the body. In fact, certain people with diabetes, high blood pressure and some elderly lack the ability to turn the shorter omega 3's from flax into the essential, biologically active eicosanoids. So, a brief synopsis would suggest that Omega 3 from fish oils already contain the active form of the fatty acid (20 carbon) that the body needs (EPA) And, fewer calories from fish oil are required to have a biological effect, compared to other omega 3 containing oils like flax oil. Hope this is enlightening to all..... -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com
Lifter_Puller Posts: 20 Joined: 2005/04/09	2005/04/09, 10:56 PM Enlightening, yeah. Is there any reason you would argue that flax seed is better than fish oil? Otherwise it seems like a no contest.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2005/04/10, 12:30 AM Nope, fish oil hands down. Using both will not hurt though. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com
Lifter_Puller Posts: 20 Joined: 2005/04/09	2005/04/12, 01:45 AM I tried explaining this to a guy at GNC today who came in for some flax meal. He says he like mixing the flax in his shakes and didn't like the idea of compromising taste. I honestly haven't tasted any fish oil yet so I couldn't really say anything. Any suggestions on that one? BTW, I get my EFAs from eggs and nat. pb til I can afford the fish oil supps.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2005/04/12, 12:21 PM There is nothing wrong with flax, it is just not as bio available in its benefits as fish oil is. I use flax to mix in shakes also. A good rule of thumb is to get your EFA's from varying sources, but I would suggest fish oil as first on the list. Get these in caplets, very cheap. Look for pharmeceutical grade, but not absolutely necessary. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com
Yumi Posts: 34 Joined: 2005/03/27	2005/04/13, 11:59 PM If you mix flax seed oil with cottage cheese with hand held blender until you see no oil (like cream cheese consistancy), it becomes bio available. This mixture is eaten by many cancer patients as it heals many of them, as well as other conditions. The formula is 1/4 cup cottage cheese with 1 tablespoon flax seed oil. Some people add even 5 tablespoon. I eat this mixture everyday. If you want to stick with fish oil, Coromega is a fish oil supplement that actually taste like tang. It comes in little pouch, so no need to measure and it is a liquid so go right into your system.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2005/05/02, 08:56 PM Hempseed oil is great....but still, marine sources are better than than vegetarian sources for the same reasons I mentioned above. But, including it in your fat intake is not bad. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2006/12/12, 12:30 PM And to boot...actually taking in more flax oil will not increase your intake of EPA/DHA. -------------- Maximus from Gladiator....Strength and Honor!
Velasca Posts: 441 Joined: 2006/10/26	2006/12/12, 06:38 AM ty mvp for the bump :D
SFGiantsMVP Posts: 1,533 Joined: 2005/12/04	2006/12/11, 10:56 PM Bump, This should be stickied!
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2006/12/12, 02:12 PM If I remember right, 'saturation' point of EPA is somewhere in teh 1.2 gr. area. I read this in a paper somewhere...don't remember where offhand. Will have to dig it up. (remember here, don't confuse total fish oil and EPA...typical EPA value in one fish oil capsule is around 180 mg.) -------------- Maximus from Gladiator....Strength and Honor!
SFGiantsMVP Posts: 1,533 Joined: 2005/12/04	2006/12/12, 01:41 PM I stopped takeing Flax and just use Fish Oil and if I need to add fats to something and I have taken up all or it's not the meal I take the fish oil with I use Olive Oil. I take 10 grams a day of Fish Oil and give both my Kids 4 grams each!
SFGiantsMVP Posts: 1,533 Joined: 2005/12/04	2007/02/20, 10:05 PM Bump -------------- Knock-Um Down & Keep-Um Down!
SFGiantsMVP Posts: 1,533 Joined: 2005/12/04	2007/02/20, 10:06 PM Lets get a sticky on this post! -------------- Knock-Um Down & Keep-Um Down!