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Flax Seed Oil Fat is Very High in Omega 3 Short Chain Fatty Acids
Consuming flax seed oil fat is a Great Way to Boost Your Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels and consuming ground flaxseed is another Great Way!
There seems to be some concern about the conversion of the short chain fatty acids found in flax into the longer chain fatty acids called EPA and DHA.
You can learn how to boost this conversion to get the most from consuming flax seed oil fat for your daily Omega 3 requirements.
One important benefit of consuming flax seed oil to get your Omega 3's is that flax seed oil doesn't come with toxins like mercury and is less likely to become rancid as long as it's properly treated.
Ground flaxseed may be more nutritious as you will get important nutrients along with the essential fatty acids. Some of these nutrients help to boost the conversion process.
Highest in Short Chain Fatty Acids ALA
Flax seed oil contains the highest amount of the short chain fatty acids ALA or Alpha-Linolenic Acids, but it needs to be converted into the long chain fatty acids EPA and DHA to be of any use for your body.
Our bodies can convert Alpha-linolenic acid or ALA into EPA and DHA, but the conversion process is slow and only a certain percentage will be converted.
How much of the short chain fatty acids ALA will be converted depends on various factors like genetics and your Omega 3 to Omega 6 levels in your body. Anywhere from 1/2% to 15% is possible.
High levels of Omega 6 especially highly processed Omega 6 polyunsaturated fats block Omega 3 metabolism, so eliminating this issue will definitely help the conversion process.
Also, consuming your flax seed oil with co-factor nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins and protein could really help the conversion of short chain fatty acids into the more beneficial EPA and DHA long chain fatty acids.
Best Type of Flax Seed Oil Fat
It's important to buy high quality flax seed oil - preferably cold-pressed.
Flax seed oil fat is prone to rancidity and keeps best in the refrigerator.
Light and oxygen will slowly breakdown the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids found in flax seed oil, so look for oil in an dark colored bottle.
Always check the "Best Before Date" when purchasing and Never Heat or Cook with this oil!
Buying smaller amounts of this oil instead of larger amounts may be a smart move, depending on your usage.
Whole Brown Flax Seeds
The consumption of flaxseeds is actually an ancient custom and this seed was eaten thousands of years ago by ancient cultures like the Egyptians.
Flaxseeds are high in fiber, lignans, essential fatty acids, vitamin E, B vitamins, zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese and are a complete protein.
There are brown and golden flaxseeds, but the golden seems to be a new invention. Some people prefer the nutty taste of the golden flaxseeds. There isn't too much of a difference in nutrition between the two kinds.
The seeds have a tough surface that needs to be penetrated or broken up in order for the properties found in flaxseeds to be released.
A small coffee grinder would be the ideal tool to use for this important job and so would soaking the seeds or sprouting.
Buy your flaxseeds whole because ground flaxseed does cost more and they are much too perishable once they are ground. Keep your whole flaxseeds in the refrigerator to preserve their essential fatty acids.
1 to 2 tablespoons is considered a healthy dosage for most adults. You can sprinkle ground flaxseed on your favorite cereal, soup, yogurt, or smoothie.
Be creative and maybe even try sprouting these seeds for extra nutrition.
