Omega 3-6-9 in flaxseed oil and fish oil
In order for our body to always remain in shape, we must carefully help it to keep this shape. This can be done through sports, intellectual tasks, cosmetology, body and brain care, as well as through the use of special preparations. So, natural linseed oil and fish oil contain a number of omega acids that help maintain the body in a healthy state.
Benefits of fatty acids
Scientists have long proven the benefits of fatty acids, one of which are polyunsaturated fatty acids: omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9.
Of great importance is the fact that our body is not able to independently create omega-3 and omega-6 acids from simpler compounds. They are a kind of unique material for our body, and we cannot get them otherwise than through food or dietary supplements. Omega-9 is produced in sufficient quantities in our body.
First of all, the researchers noted the positive effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (hereinafter referred to as PUFAs) on the growth of children, both newborns and those still in the womb. And they didn’t need a lot - 1% of the total calories ingested was enough. Thus, a cure for rickets was discovered.
PUFAs also affect the nervous system.It is believed that they regulate the work of hormones, reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cleanse the vessels of cholesterol, prevent diabetes, and even prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries.
PUFAs are good defenders of the immune system: they increase the activity of leukocytes, thus increasing the body's resistance as a whole. It is also noted that the use of omega-3 is a natural prevention of cancer.
PUFAs have a huge impact on our brain and vision, especially omega-3s. It is responsible for the speed of reaction of neurons, for how quickly they transfer energy to each other. It depends on how fast we think and how well our memory is developed. The use of PUFAs also reduces the risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
They are indispensable for caring women. Not without reason, for problems with skin or hair, it is recommended to make masks from linseed oil and use fish oil. They help fight problems such as dry and flaky skin, allergic reactions, hair loss. They have a rejuvenating effect, make the skin smooth and strengthen blood vessels. PUFAs are powerful moisturizers for both hair and skin and are considered to restore the lipid barrier of the scalp and face.
Omega-6 helps the skin fight acne: it reduces inflammation and accelerates regeneration. A special effect will be seen when using these acids on dry, allergic or problematic skin.
Content in products
In itself, the use of omega acids as part of dietary supplements is caused by the lack of these substances in our menu. However, this does not mean that we can simply buy a ton of fish oil and thus ensure our youth.
Omega acids contained in food are a little more important and useful, as they enter our body directly, without intermediaries.
Flaxseed oil does not have to be bought in capsules, seeds, or tablets, but can be used as a salad dressing as a substitute for regular olive oil or sunflower oil. It will be generally more useful, and omega-3 acids will be supplied to the body. Separately, linseed oil is consumed 1 tablespoon 1 time per day before breakfast or in the evening after dinner. Taking it on an empty stomach is fraught with digestive problems.
Linseed oil is made from flax seeds. It can be refined, that is, it has undergone additional processing, or unrefined. It is believed that for ingestion it is better to use unrefined: it retains more nutrients. However, during pregnancy, special sensitivity and susceptibility to odors, you should choose a refined option.
Reviews say that regular use of linseed oil improves immunity, accelerates regeneration and reduces the recovery period after surgery.
Also, a large number of PUFAs are found in white chia seeds (Spanish sage). This plant is native to southern and central Mexico. It has a truly striking composition: in addition to PUFA-3, it contains a number of antioxidants, other linolenic acids, calcium, proteins and dietary fiber. Usually, chia is used to make nutritious drinks by roasting the seeds.
Omega-3, also called alpha-linolenic acid, is found in large quantities in marine products: algae, sea fish (tuna, trout, salmon, mackerel) and other seafood (sardines, caviar, lobsters, oysters, anchovies).Actually, fish oil also belongs to this category. So, 100 grams of red game contains 7 grams of omega-3 and 0.1 grams of omega-6. In the same amount of mackerel - 2.7 g and 0.2 g, salmon - 2.6 g and 0.2 g. It is noticeable that omega-6 is found in natural products in much lower concentrations - and rightly so.
Alpha-linolenic acid can be found in leafy vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and spinach, as well as in oils such as hemp, mustard and walnut.
Sources of omega-6 (gamma-linolenic acid) are considered to be pistachios and pine nuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. Omega-6 is found in large quantities in eggs, chicken, beef, nuts, various oils: linseed, cottonseed, hemp, and even sunflower, which is familiar to us.
Omega-9 (oleic acid) can be found in animal-based meats and olive oil.
In the 21st century, omega-3 and omega-6 began to be added to many products of artificial origin: peanut butter, yogurt, baby food. As a rule, a bright label with the inscription “Omega-3! ” will attract the attention of buyers, but they will not even know that PUFAs have undergone such changes here, as a result of which almost nothing useful is left of them.
For cereals, baby food and other similar products, acids from microalgae are used, which give the product a bright fishy flavor. In order for peanut butter not to smell like fish, algae are thoroughly cleaned and pasteurized, which injures PUFAs. Thus, even knowing that omega acids have an incredibly good effect on the development of the child's body, you should not buy cereals for children with them - there will be no benefit from them here.
Researchers also note the longevity of people living in the Mediterranean region and on the islands of Japan.They are believed to live longer and have higher levels of health precisely because they consume more omega-3 rich foods. The Japanese eat fish and sea vegetables every day, and the Mediterranean diet involves eating fish for dinner. Thus, they balanced omega-3 and omega-6 (the proportion is as close as possible to the ideal - 1: 2).
How to make the right choice?
When choosing fish oil, it should be distinguished that it comes in two options:
- the cheaper one is made from cod liver;
- expensive and high-quality - from herring or cod itself, without affecting anyone's liver.
The fat that accumulates in the liver has been in contact with the waste passing through this liver all the life of the fish. This does not make it dangerous - it simply reduces the concentration of useful substances by 2.5 times. Because of this, it is often given to children and patients who cannot consume omega acids in large quantities.
Oil from shaking, salmon, herring or other deep-sea fish contains more omega-3s, as well as vitamins D and A, so people with a deficiency in these substances should opt for fish oil.
The content of digestible PUFAs in linseed oil and cod liver oil is approximately the same, so we can say that they replace each other. Even in the form of taking, no special difference was noticed: both the first and the second can be used both in liquid form and in the form of capsules with oil content inside.
The existence of fish oil and flaxseed oil is a great blessing for vegetarians.
If you are interested in using PUFAs only for cosmetic purposes, then you can buy linseed, sea buckthorn or cranberry oils and make masks out of them, and use fish oil several capsules a couple of times a day.
Omega-6 in the form of nutritional supplements is not recommended: taking into account the classical Western diet, its concentration in this case can be exceeded several times, which will not affect the body well. Omega-6s are easy to get from food.
Can it be taken at the same time?
Fish oil should be consumed with fish or other marine products, as it is believed that they may contain a certain part of mercury, which already does not have the best effect on the body, and part of the omega-3 is lost because of it. Fish oil is able to restore these lost acids. It is recommended to take it three times after meals, 1-3 capsules.
There may be an allergy to fish oil, in which it should not be consumed. It is also forbidden to use it for hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, pancreatitis and urolithiasis. In this case, flaxseed oil can be an excellent alternative source of omega acids.
When comparing fish oil and linseed oil for the presence of omega acids in them, it was found that our body interacts with the PUFAs contained in these two products in different ways. So, linseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid, which, under the influence of our body's processes, decomposes into EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). During this breakdown, omega-3s lose some of their usefulness. Fish oil, on the other hand, initially contains EPA and DHA, that is, the energy for the synthesis of substances is not required again, which allows them to remain in the product in larger quantities. Therefore, when using fish oil, you will get 8 times more digestible PUFAs: from 17 to 30 g per 100 g versus 3 g per 100 g.
At the same time, the use of these two dietary supplements is not prohibited: no negative effects on the body have been identified, as well as much difference. However, before using such a powerful complex of omega acids, you should consult a doctor who will develop a specific diet with the inclusion of these drugs.
An ideal option for women who have turned their attention to omega acids because of their miraculous effect on the skin and hair, is the use of fish oil inside in the form of capsules, and it is recommended to make masks from linseed oil.
What is the difference between Omega 3, which are found in flaxseed oil and fish oil, see the video below.