When people hear of flax seed oil, most think of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil, the good fat that the body needs. While similar and often found combined in one as a supplement, flax seed oil is not the same as fish oil and it is not a direct source of omega-3 fatty acids. Even flax seed and flax seed oil appear to be relatively different in the effects they have on the body, although one comes directly from the other.
History
Flax seed oil comes from the seeds of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum, also known as a linseed plant. The flax plant is an annual plant that ranges from 2 to 4 feet tall with slender stems and blue flowers. It is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt and India. This plant now grows worldwide and has various uses consisting of health benefits and industrial uses in paints, wood finishers and fibers.
Essential Fatty Acid
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, over half of the flax seed oil is made up of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a fatty acid that the body converts into the omega-3 fatty acids the body needs for optimal health. Omega-3 fatty acids, also called essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and reduce the chance of heart disease. The body can't produce them on its own, so they must be obtained through a healthy diet.
Benefits
Even though the body can convert alpha-linolenic acid into omega-3, it's not a direct source of omega-3 so it isn't considered as beneficial as fish oil itself, says the Mayo Clinic. However, the Mayo Clinic says that there is unclear scientific evidence for the alpha-linolenic acid found in flax seed oil being useful in lowering blood cholesterol levels, which could potentially assist in lowering the risk of heart disease. Because ALA has the ability to decrease inflammation, it could possibly aide in decreasing the symptoms of swelling diseases.
Side Effects
Like most vitamins or supplements, side effects of taking flax seed oil are minimal to none unless they interfere with pre-existing conditions or are taken in mega doses. Medline Plus recommends that pregnant women in their second to third trimester not take flax seed oil due to the possibility of pre-mature birth. They also say that people with bleeding disorders or anyone planning to have surgery should consult their physician before taking flax seed oil because it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Flaxseed vs. Flaxseed Oil
Flax seeds contain an estrogen-like chemical compound found only in plants, called lignans. These lignans have the ability to act as antioxidants. There is no scientific evidence, but this could possibly be why flax seeds are thought to help treat or prevent breast cancer. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine says flax seeds are beneficial for treating hot flashes, breast pain and constipation. The process of pressing the seeds to make flax seed oil strips it of the lignans and fiber, so flax seed oil does not share the same possible health benefits of flax seed, says the Mayo Clinic.
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