The nutritional profile for flaxseed oil is basic, consisting mostly of healthy fats and vitamins. Flaxseed oil does lack some of the nutrients found in flax seeds, and unlike the seeds, flaxseed oil must be refrigerated in order to retain its nutritive value, whether it's in capsule or liquid form. While dosage varies depending on the amount of fatty acids obtained directly from the diet, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends 1 to 2 tbsp. or capsules of flaxseed oil daily.
Calories
According to the National Nutrient Database, 1 tbsp. of flaxseed oil contains 120 calories of energy. That's about 2.5 times the calories provided by an equal amount of whole flax seeds.
Lipid Profile
The primary nutritional component of flaxseed oil is its high content of healthy fats. One tablespoon of flaxseed oil contains 2.747 g of total monounsaturated fatty acids, 8.976 g of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and 1.278 g of total saturated fatty acids. According to the Flax Council of Canada, 57 percent of the fatty acids in flax oil are omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids while 16 percent are omega-6 fatty acids, a 3:1 ratio researchers consider favorable for optimal health and associate with a reduced risk of stroke, cancer and coronary heart disease. Over half the lipid content in flax seeds is alpha-linoleic acid, the primary essential omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids have long been associated with protection from such health hazards as high blood pressure, inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Flaxseed oil contains no cholesterol.
Vitamin E
While lacking in most of the essential vitamins and minerals, flaxseed oil is high in vitamin E, with 1 tbsp. flaxseed oil containing 2.38 mg of natural vitamin E as alpha-tocopherol. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that also helps to stabilize the oil and slow rancidity.
Flaxseed Oil Vs. Flax Seed
While flaxseed oil contains no protein, carbohydrates or dietary fiber, whole and ground flaxseed do. The Flax Council of Canada reports that flaxseed contains as much as 800 times the lignans, an antioxidant and phytoestrogen associated with cancer tumor protection, as most other plant sources. With the exception of vitamin E and a negligible amount of choline, flaxseed oil contains none of the other essential vitamins and minerals while flax seeds contain all of the essential minerals and many essential vitamins as well, including B-vitamins and vitamin K.
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