Posted by Larry Hoover on November 25, 2002, at 11:28:36
In reply to Fish Oil Vs. Flaxseed. what's the difference? (nm), posted by nilla on November 25, 2002, at 11:16:31
> Fish Oil Vs. Flaxseed. what's the difference? (nm)
Flax seed oil contains a precursor to the fatty acids found in fish oil. Your body cannot use the flax oil directly. It has to do a conversion. Fish oil goes straight to work.
Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid, a polyunsturated fatty acid that is eighteen carbons long, and three-times unsaturated. The short-form is 18:3 n-3. The latter term signifies that it is an omega-3 fatty acid.
Fish oil contains two polyunsaturated acids that are important. They are EPA, which is 20:5 n-3, and DHA, which is 22:6, n-3.
You can see that both EPA and DHA are longer, and more unsaturated than the 18:3 in flaxseed oil. The conversion requires step-by-step activity of different enzymes. Some people do the conversion so poorly that there is zero output of DHA from ALA. The average is about 3-6%. Other dietary factors influence the conversion, like the amount of vegetable oil in the diet (inhibitory influence).
Fish oil gives you the good stuff, for sure. Flaxseed oil might.
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:129212
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021122/msgs/129213.html