NUTRITION HOTLINE: Flax vs. Fish Oil?
By Diane Keddy, MS, RD
Reprinted from Eating Disorders Recovery Today
Summer 2009 Volume 7, Number 3
©2009 Gürze Books
Q: Is flax oil the same thing as fish oil?
A: No it is not. Flax oil contains an essential, short-chain omega 3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Fish and fish oil supplements contain the long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Technically ALA can be converted to EPA in the body, but less than 1% of what we eat actually gets converted, so you can’t rely on flax to get your EPA and DHA needs met. Instead eat fish (salmon, tuna but limit to 6 oz per week, sardines, anchovies) 2-3 times per week or take 1000 mg EPA/DHA per day in a fish oil supplement. You can get your ALA needs met by eating walnuts, flax oil, canola oil, olive oil, and hemp products.
