Did you know that flax oil is not therapeutically equivalent to fish oil? Here’s why: We can’t make Omega-3 oils, so we must consume them and fish oil contains EPA and DHA which are direct precursors to the eicosanoid molecule Prostaglandin E3 which decreases clotting, inflammation, cellular permeability, triglycerides and raises HDL.

On this biochemical path, alpha-linolenic acid (the oil in flax we are looking for) is also an Omega-3, but we must use finicky enzymes to convert it into EPA and DHA. These enzymes (delta 5 and delta 6 desaturase) don’t work well if 1) they have been exposed to trans fatty acids (fried food, hydrogenated oils) 2) there is insufficient Zinc, magnesium, Vitamin C, B6, B5, B3, Biotin or Vitamin E or 3) the person is of Northern European or Native American descent.

In addition, when flax oil is exposed to air or sunlight, it becomes linseed oil which is used to preserve wood and make linoleum. If you continue to use flax, always refrigerate and throw it away if there is any hint of rancidity.