What Oils Are In Flaxseed Oil?

Flaxseeds range in color from golden yellow to reddish brown. These seeds can be cold-pressed to produce flaxseed oil. Flaxseeds come from the flax plant, technically known as linum usitatissimum. The flax plant produces blue flowers, and the flowers are where the seeds come from. Flaxseeds, and the oil made from them, are praised for their healthful benefits. Much of flaxseed oil's healthy reputation comes from the types of oils it contains, specifically, its high content of omega-3 fatty acids.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Flaxseed oil is primarily composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Approximately 73 percent of flaxseed oil is polyunsaturated fatty acids, notes Pennington Biomedical Research Center. This makes the oil very healthful, but also very delicate. In order to maintain its healthy properties it must be refrigerated and kept in a dark container. The two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids in flaxseed oil are called linoleic acid, an omega-6, and alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3.

Alpha-linolenic Acid

Flaxseed oil is the richest source of alpha-linolenic acid, an essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. The term essential in this context means you require it, but you must get it from your diet because your body cannot make it. Approximately 55 percent of the total fatty acids in flaxseed oil is alpha-linolenic acid. The amount of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid in flaxseed oil is over five times higher than the next highest sources, canola oil and walnuts.

Other Fats

Flaxseed oil also contains some monounsaturated fatty acids as well as some saturated fat. Approximately 18 percent is monounsaturated and 9 percent is saturated fatty acids. This means flaxseed oil is very low in saturated fat, making it more heart healthy and more cholesterol friendly than many other oils.

Oil Care

Exposure to light, heat and air can degrade flaxseed oil. For this reason, flaxseed oil should be purchased in small amounts, like 250 ml, in order to consume it at its best, notes Udo Erasmus, Ph.D., author of "Fats that Heal -- Fats that Kill." The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that the best flaxseed products contain fresh pressed seeds that have bottled in dark containers, and processed at low temperatures in the absence of oxygen and light.

Benefits

Clinical studies suggest that flaxseed oil and other omega-3 fatty acids may be helpful in treating a variety of conditions. And while there is still some debate over the effectiveness of flaxseed oil as a supplement, it hold promise for promoting health in individuals with high cholesterol, heart disease and Sjogren's syndrome.