Can You Get Omega-3 Fatty Acids From Plants?
There was a big health story trending in the newspapers back in the 1970s called "Eskimo theory" when a group of Danish researchers discovered that the Inuit population had far lower cholesterol levels than the average North American. They also were far less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease...
You might ask, for a culture with a high fat diet that includes whale blubber, how's that possible? The theory was that the marine-fat diet provided protection.
Since then, thousands of papers have been written on the benefits of fish oils, but it turns out seafood had nothing to do with it!
The real hero of the story was an Omega-3 rich diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids are an incredibly important nutrient we can't produce ourselves.
Lower levels of these oils are linked to:
- Symptoms of ADHD
- Heart disease and heart problems
- Arthritis pain
- Bad cholesterol levels
- Some types of cancer
- Chronic inflammation
- and more...
The real issue is, fish isn't available fresh everywhere. It's also pretty expensive these days and not always that healthy. There's plenty of reports suggesting some ocean farmed fish contain high levels of mercury and other unhealthy substances.
Flax Seed Oil Is Nature's Answer
Flax oil contains 50 to 60% omega-3 fatty acids in the form of alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA. A three ounce serving of salmon (or twelve ounces of canned tuna) contains just one gram of Omega-3. One tablespoon of flax seed oil provides 7 grams of Omega-3!
Did You Know...
Your brain is actually 35% Omega-3 fatty acids??
Researchers have frequently linked omega-3 rich diets to higher intelligence test scores in children, including improvements in memory, learning and focus.
In older adults, lower levels of Omega-3 have been associated with smaller brain size, a sign of accelerated brain aging.
Turns out, having flax seed oil in your diet is pretty smart!
Some studies show it may help lower depression, and might even lower anxiety levels too. If you've been looking for ways to increase your Omega-3, but don't want to eat fish, simply eat a tablespoon of flax seed oil daily.
Beneficial Compounds in Flax Seed Oil:
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Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA): A type of omega-3 fatty acid, which is also 50-60% of every spoon of flaxseed oil. Researchers believe it supports heart health by reducing overall inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and improving cholesterol levels.
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Linoleic Acid: One of the omega-6 fatty acid types, available in smaller amounts (around 15-20%). It's known to help skin health and cell membrane function and is most beneficial when combined with omega-3s.
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Oleic Acid: One of the omega-9 fatty acids (about 20%), thought to support heart health and reduce inflammation.
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Lignans: Flaxseed oil contains lignans, which have antioxidant and phytoestrogen properties, which may help hormonal balance and support cancer prevention.
- Vitamin E: A key vitamin with antioxidant properties, skincare benefits and may help protect cells from oxidative stress.
What Can You Do With Flax Oil?
Flaxseed oil isn't recommended for high heat cooking (due to it's low smoke point), but it's a great oil for finishing dishes.
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Salad Dressings?
Mix it with vinegar, lemon juice or other herbs to make unique, healthy and flavour rich vinaigrettes.
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Finishing Oil:
Drizzle flaxseed oil over your vegetables, cooked meats, pasta or soups to add a rich buttery flavour.
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Smoothies & Shakes:
You can easily blend 1-3 tablespoons of flax oil in to add a nutritional boost
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Egg Substitute?
Some recipes that call for egg can also work with flaxseed oil, which is pretty handy if you need a vegan friendly alternative.
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Skin & Hair:
Flaxseed oil may reduce skin inflammation, moisturize dry hands, help scars heal, and could offer a little extra sun protection. It may also nourish the scalp, stimulate hair growth and improve shine.
We source specially harvested organic flax seeds in northern BC, and gently cold-press them in small batches here in the Okanagan Valley. Each bottle captures the nutritional essence that only comes from truly fresh, premium oil. It's also a BuyBC approved product.