Flaxseed oil

[Blaze]

I know you can by pills to take for this. can anyone tell me where?
and can anyone tell me exactly what it does, as in connection with health and bodybuilding?

[Maxgain]

Flaxseed oil capsules are a source of omega 6 and 3. There is no actual need to supplement omega 6s though and the conversion of the linolenic acid the omega 3 to a form usable (EPA andDHA) by the body can be extremely poor. Fish oil supplementation would be much better

Fish oils have an anti- inflammatory effect that alters thromboxane, leukotriene, and prostaglandin production. These fatty acids, also called omega-3 fatty acids, replace omega-6 fatty acids in various membranes and reduces inflammatory responses. This may alter such diseases as cystic fibrosis, psoriasis, arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. These fatty acids have a mild effect on lowering triglycerides and raising some fractions of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but have little effect on total cholesterol. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol may stay the same or be increased.

EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid is a long-chain fatty acid that is found throughout the body. EPA is used in inflammation, immune function, blood vessel activity, and blood clotting. From EPA, our body makes series 3 prostaglandins with many beneficial effects on health (Erasmus, 1993). ish oil is generally an excellent source of EPA or essential fatty acids. EPA is found preformed in cold- water fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring. Certain vegetable oils like flaxseed and canola can increase body EPA levels as well through a conversion process from alpha-linolenic acid to EPA. Degenerative conditions may impair the body's ability to make EPA from alpha linolenic acid which is why it is important to use a supplement that contains EPA. The most widely accepted use of EPA is in cardiovascular health. EPA can be used to help lower triglycerides, lower blood pressure, lower lipoprotein(a) and fibrinogen levels in serum. Also, by increasing series 3 prostaglandins, EPA can help prevent strokes, heart attacks and other problems involving clot formation. EPA may also be very important in the prevention of certain cancers.

DHA was effective in improving symptoms of dementia in a group of elderly adults, gingivitis, aggression, dermatitis, multiple sclerosis, persistent antiphospholipid syndrome, and respiratory illness. Larger trials support the use of fish oils or DHA to inhibit platelet aggregation inhibitory purposes, and in the treatment of cancer, arthritis, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity and hypertension, atopic dermatitis, pediatric growth and development, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis. There was little evidence to support the use of fish oils or DHA in asthma, cystic fibrosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or diabetes. Mixed results for the use of fish oils or DHA have been reported in studies on coronary artery restenosis, multiple sclerosis, and peroxisome biogenesis defect.

Fish oils should be used with caution in individuals with diabetes as they may interfere with blood glucose regulation

You should aim for 3g EPA/DHa daily.

Maxgain

[rbuchman]

Flaxseed is the has the highest concentration of Omega 3's of all plants. Do a search for Omega 3 but they are in general great stuff that people don't get enough of. They help with the heart and joints among other things.

I prefer buying the seeds and grinding them (a $10 coffee grinder works the best), in addition to the fat (the main reason to take flax) you get some protien, lots of fiber and a cheaper price (on a $/fat basis). They don't taste bad either, a very mild nutty flavor that goes well with cottage cheese, yoghart, oatmeal etc.

Exactly what Maxgain said (although I think he meant EFA not EPA), I take on tablet of fish oil morning and night and work ground flax into my diet (about 1/3 lb /week)

[Lady C]

Psst . . He did mean EPA
Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) [mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon] or eating tofu [soybeans, canola, walnut and flaxseed, and their oils] contain alpha-linolenic acid (LNA), which can become omega-3 fatty acid in the body.

[rbuchman]

I submit to your greater knowledge on this but there was at least one typo "EPA or essential fatty acids" (not that I have the best spelling/typing just trying to save face)

[Maxgain]

Where was this and ill edit but to my knowledge i did not mean to type EFA once

Maxgain

[Visionary]

Hey Maxgain, I'm new here but I'll chime in and thank you for your very clear explanation of "why" I limit the amount of flax oil in my diet in favor of fish oils, basic olive oil, nuts, avocados, etc. I don't understand enough to explain what I've learned (that's sad) but it is my impression that the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 is important. There is (or was) a software program available from NHA which analyzed this ratio in your diet for you.

The problem with flaxseed is that the ratio between O3 and O6 are is out of whack. That is my understanding--am I sort of approximately right? This gets down to "how many angels can sit on a pinhead," but I've always wished I could understand this stuff.

[Maxgain]

Hey Visionary no problem for the advice Ill try and clarify it a bit more.
Ok most seed oil supplements including flax containing will have quite a good ratio of omega 3:6 so you ask then whats the problem?

This is a 2 point answer.
1 the seed form of omega 3 is alpha linolenic acid and is not usable by our bodies it must be converted to epa and dha. Fish oils there is no conversion needed. Conversion is hindered by a lack of the enxyme reductase, the presence of saturated fats and zinc or vitamin deficiencies. It is generally a 50% efficient process. A further problem is that the conversion ratio of epa and dha is poor also about 10:1 in some cases can never remember which way so will check it out.

Point 2. Yes the seed supplements contain a good ratio but this is for one stage of the day. In general the rest of a normal persons diet will be a ratio between 10 and 30 to 1 omega 6 to omega 3 so it is pointless having the balance in the supplement when the rest of the day is out of whack. You need to limit the amount of omega 6s you take in not pay extra for them.
Hope this is helpful.

Maxgain

[CF-OC_gal]

People get lots of Omega 6 in their diet but they rarely get the omega3 to balance it out. That is why for some people they benefit from just flax seed oil. I tried taking udo's oil blend a couple of times but never got the benefits I got from just flax seed oil.

Regarding fish oil. If your supplement has that "fishy" smell or taste it is because it is rancid. For some reason the processors go the extra mile to ensure that flax seed oil stays fresh. They don't always do the same for fish oil supplements as I've heard many people complain about burping up a fishy smell when taking supps.

[threenorns]

i get that fishy repeat - doesn't matter what kind, what brand - for HOURS afterward, it's burp, burp, burp.

[CF-OC_gal]

Yuck, I like my fish oil in the form of a meal and my flax oil as a liquid supplement. (Dessicated liver pills used to do that to me, nasty!)

There is such a small amout of flax oil in a capsule, I found it was expensive and pointless when taking up to 1 tablespoon at a time. Depending on your needs and preference there is also borage oil and evening primrose oil to be considered.

[Visionary]

I have several friends at the CR Society (Roy Walford's advocates) who are real fanatics about their fish oil. (Fanatics about everything, actually, but smart people.) This is the product they unanimously swear by: http://www.omegabrite.com/

[CF-OC_gal]

CR as in calorie restriction ? I've checked out their website a long time ago. Wierdos if you ask me! They have worse social problems than fish oil repeats.

Who the heck wants to spend more than half their life as a retired senior citizen bone rack? I say let me live a normal lifespan.

Ahh, but to each their own.

[Visionary]

Originally Posted by Brat

CR as in calorie restriction ? I've checked out their website a long time ago. Wierdos if you ask me! They have worse social problems than fish oil repeats.

Who the heck wants to spend more than half their life as a retired senior citizen bone rack? I say let me live a normal lifespan.

Ahh, but to each their own.

You said it. They are a different breed--very bright, but yes, "weird," a fact which they themselves openly admit. I met Roy Walford in person several months before his death. He was the kindest gentleman I've ever met, and although he was very sick by then he remained productive to the bitter end. Anyway, the group is a fountain of both useful and useless information, even if they apply their ideas with a bit of fanaticsm.

And no, for the record, I don't "do" CR. YUCK!

[Maxgain]

Dont know much about them but if they are big into promoting fish oils they cant be all bad.

Maxgain