The fish oil vs flax seed oil debate rages on amongst supplement manufacturers. Each one claims to be more effective and beneficial to our health. What’s the truth? Who is the winner in terms of the benefit we can get out of them? Let’s find out.
Fish oil vs Flax seed oil: Omega 3 fats Both these oils are recommended because of the Omega 3 fatty acids that they contain. These are essential fats that our body cannot manufacture on its own; we have to depend on external sources for them.
The difference here is fish oil contains Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA). Flax seed oil on the other hand, contains Alpha linolenic acid (ALA). It doesn’t have any DHA or EPA.
Now, research has shown that DHA and EPA have tremendous benefits for the heart. Together, they prevent thrombosis and lower tryglycerides which can block the arteries. So fish oil has a clear advantage for heart health.
Secondly, almost 30% of our brain is made up of DHA Omega 3. Increasing the DHA intake in our diet will clearly give a big boost to our brain performance in terms of memory and concentration, and will prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s and ADHD. Here too, fish oil comes out to be the preferred choice of oil.
Fact is, our body internally converts some of ALA into DHA and EPA. This is a complex process and various enzymes are needed for this conversion. The problem is, this is not an efficient process. Even less so in people with old age or those having any illness.
The rate of conversion from ALA to DHA & EPA varies from 5% to 25%. This means to get the required amount of DHA, you would need to take 5 to 6 times flax seed oil as compared to fish oil.
The choice then becomes clear. Unless you are a strict vegetarian, you would be much better off by taking fish oil instead of flax seed oil. Now let’s see what things you need to consider when selecting a fish oil supplement.
The most important thing is the source of the oil. Take a look at the type of fish used for extracting the oil. Not all fish are rich in Omega 3 fats. In fact, we want to have a fish rich in DHA Omega 3, as it is the more beneficial one than EPA. Salmon, Mackerel, and Hoki are some of the good choices here. The Hoki, in case you are wondering, is a fish found in the southern waters of the New Zealand coast.
Also, the oil should be thoroughly refined to remove all natural and industrial contaminants from it. Molecular distillation is the process that can do this effectively.
In conclusion, fish oil seems to be ahead of the competition in the fish oil vs flax seed oil debate. Go now and find out one which can give you all the great health benefits it has to offer.
