“The flax seed oil scam” by a herbalist named Henriette says bad things about flaxseed oil. One is about (lack of) conversion of ALA (the short-chain omega-3 in flaxseed oil) to EPA and DHA (the long-chain omega-3s found in fish oil and presumably active in the brain):
The scam is in flax seed oil folks trying to maintain that we can convert ALA into EPA and DHA in anything like relevant amounts.
We can’t. We convert at most 10 %, but usually less than half that.
Which is “fairly common knowledge among nutritionists,” says Henriette. She quotes the abstracts of two scientific papers to support this point. The other criticism is that flaxseed oil goes bad quickly:
I dislike flax seed oil for another reason as well: it oxidizes (goes rancid) pretty much the minute it’s pressed, and unless it’s been refrigerated ALL the way from press to consumer, it’s ALWAYS rancid.
After I read this, I realized I was in an unusual position. When it comes to flaxseed oil, I don’t have to take anyone’s word for it. I have been able to measure the benefits by myself on myself. Apparently the conversion ratio, whatever it is, is high enough; and the suppliers of my flaxseed oil (I have used Spectrum Organic, Barlean’s, and the Whole Foods house brand) have solved the oxidation problem.
With almost every other nutrient, my knowledge is far less certain. Sure, I need some Vitamin C, but how much is best? Too much may cause cancer. I’ll probably never know the best amount for the average person, much less the best amount for myself.
“The flax seed oil scam” by a herbalist named Henriette says bad things about flaxseed oil. One is about (lack of) conversion of ALA (the short-chain omega-3 in flaxseed oil) to EPA and DHA (the long-chain omega-3s found in fish oil and presumably active in the brain):
Which is “fairly common knowledge among nutritionists,” says Henriette. She quotes the abstracts of two scientific papers to support this point. The other criticism is that flaxseed oil goes bad quickly:
After I read this, I realized I was in an unusual position. When it comes to flaxseed oil, I don’t have to take anyone’s word for it. I have been able to measure the benefits by myself on myself. Apparently the conversion ratio, whatever it is, is high enough; and the suppliers of my flaxseed oil (I have used Spectrum Organic, Barlean’s, and the Whole Foods house brand) have solved the oxidation problem.
With almost every other nutrient, my knowledge is far less certain. Sure, I need some Vitamin C, but how much is best? Too much may cause cancer. I’ll probably never know the best amount for the average person, much less the best amount for myself.