Fish oil and flax oil are both used as dietary supplements to gain the benefits of their healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Because omega-3 fats are not made by the body, they must be consumed through food or supplement sources. Fish oil and flax oil are two of the best sources of omega-3's available, but there are some differences between the two, especially with regard to the types and bioavailability of the omega-3's they contain and the health benefits attributed to the two oils.
Sources
Fish oil comes from the oil of fatty coldwater fish such as salmon, mackerel or tuna or from small oily fish not typically consumed as food. Most of the production of fish oil comes from Peru and Chile, but it is also produced in small amounts in other countries worldwide, including China, the U.S., Thailand, Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Japan. The fish oil is refined to remove contaminants before being put into capsules and sold. Flax oil is produced by cold pressing the seeds of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. It does not undergo any heating before being sold and is processed in dark, unoxegenated conditions.
Omega-3's
Both fish oil and flax oil contain omega-3 fats. However, the specific types of omega-3 fatty acids differ in fish and flax oil. Fish oil contains two types of omega-3's, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Flax seed contains only one type, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is converted into EPA and DHA in the body, although this conversion is not very efficient.
Health Benefits
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, fish oil taken as a daily supplement can help lower the risk of heart disease and help ease rheumatoid arthritis. Other health benefits of fish oil include lowering of blood pressure and triglycerides, although these are still under investigation. Flaxseed is used to treat dry eye, ADHD and arthritis. It is also used for cancer prevention and for controlling cholesterol.
Warning
While generally considered safe, fish oil may interfere with the action of some medications, including blood pressure medications and blood thinners. Individuals who are taking these or any other medications should consult a doctor before adding fish oil supplements to the diet. Flax oil may slow the rate that medications are absorbed and interfere with medications for controlling blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.
Considerations
Individuals with allergies to fish may want to avoid fish oil. Vegetarians may choose flax seed oil as a source of omega-3's over fish oil because flax seed oil is derived from a plant. While some fresh fish have been found to have dangerous levels of mercury, fish oil is free of this contaminant.
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