Friday fat facts – flax oil

While flax has become a household word, as with most nutrients, all the facts are less well known. Flax seed, also known as linseed, is technically a seed but it is so small it resembles a grain. It can be consumed whole, ground into flax meal, or consumed as an oil extracted from the seed. In today's blog, I will be focusing on the latter.

When purchasing and storing flax oil, it is important to understand how quickly it can go rancid. As with all essential fatty acids (EFAs), flaxseed oil is extremely sensitive to light, air, and oxygen and must be stored in airtight, dark bottles. If the oil smells, it should be discarded. Never heat flaxseed oil as it is highly sensitive to temperature as well. Heating destroys the value of the EFA and produces toxic chemical components that lead to arteriosclerosis and cancer.

The fresh oil of the golden flaxseed oil is the richest known source of omega-3 fatty acids and is very high in LNA, or alpha-linolenic acid. This deep, golden-coloured oil has been called liquid sunshine because sunlight energy is stored in the bonds between the carbon and the hydrogen atoms, of which oils are composed. 

Why is LNA useful?

LNA is useful for treating fatty degeneration in cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and other diseases. To get the most benefit from flax oil, the diet should also contain optimum amounts of vitamins B3, B6, C, and the minerals magnesium and zinc. Flax oil on its own is not going to have therapeutic benefits. For this reason, the seed is better than the oil, and the seed enriched with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, is even better.

Flax oil is thought to contain a substance resembling prostaglandins that regulate blood pressure, platelet, kidney, immune, and arterial function, inflammatory response, and play important roles in calcium and energy metabolism. More and more functions of prostaglandins are being found each year. They work in the brain where they regulate the release and performance of neurotransmitters, and low levels are known to be involved in depression and schizophrenia. There is increasing evidence that shows omega-3 fats improve learning, behavioural problems, attention deficit disorder, depression and schizophrenia.

Fresh, unrefined flax oil contains lecithin and other phospholipids that help emulsify fats and oils for easier digestion, and contribute to physical health. It also contains carotene and vitamin E. These vitamins stabilize the oil in the bottle and in the body. When oil is refined, vitamins and lecithin are removed, and its stability and many nutrients are lost.

Another interesting fact about flax oil is that it shortens the time necessary for fatigued muscles to recover after exertion, and shortens the healing time for bruises, sprains, and other injuries. It increases energy, stamina, and the feeling of vitality, and makes skin soft, hair shiny and nails strong.

As you can see, the benefits of flax and flax oil are considerable. I recommend that everyone supplement their diet with a high-quality flaxseed oil or fish oil daily. Other ways to get your daily requirement is to add a teaspoon of oil to your juice or smoothie, use it as a salad dressing or a topping for popcorn.