Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat that can be found in many different food sources, including flaxseed oil. These fatty acids can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including high cholesterol and some diseases associated with inflammation. The omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed and flaxseed oil must be converted by the body into other forms to be effective.
Essential Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are known as "essential" fatty acids because the body lacks the enzymes to synthesize them. This means that they must be obtained from dietary sources, the Linus Pauling Institute reports. These fatty acids play an important role in the function of the brain, and they are also critical for proper growth and development of tissues. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help lower cholesterol levels, and they may also help treat chronic health conditions, such as asthma and arthritis, due to their ability to reduce inflammation in the body.
Flax and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The omega-3 fatty acids in flax come from flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil lacks the fiber and other compounds found in flaxseed, MayoClinic.com notes, but it does contain significant amounts of alpha-linoleic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. One tbsp. of ground flaxseed contains 1.6 g of alpha-linoleic acid, whereas pure flaxseed oil contains 7.3 g of alpha-linoleic acid per tablespoon. The standard dose of flaxseed oil is 1 to 2 tbsp. daily, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Conversion
Alpha-linoleic acid may not have any effect on the human body itself. Instead, it needs to be converted into two other omega-3 fatty acids, known as docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, commonly found in fatty fish and fish oil. The body isn't very efficient at converting alpha-linoleic acid into these other forms, so it is not clear how effective the omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed are in the body, although 7.2 g of flaxseed oil is is roughly equivalent to 1 g of fish oil, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains.
Precautions
Flaxseed oil must be refrigerated and can be destroyed by oxygen, light and heat, so it must be specially prepared and stored. Omega-3 fatty acids may make it hard for your blood to clot, resulting in easy bruising or bleeding, particularly if you are taking blood thinners. Although flaxseed oil is generally safe to use, you should talk with your doctor before taking flaxseed oil, as it can interfere with the absorption of some medications.
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