Flaxseed OilFlaxseed oil is made from the seeds that come from the flax plant. Both flaxseeds and the oil made from them are very good for your body. They are a rich source of essential fatty acids. What exactly is an essential fatty acid? Keep reading to learn more. Essential fatty acids (also known as EFAs for short) are fats that your body needs in order to survive. Your body cannot make EFAs on its own so you need to get them from your food or from a supplement. 
There are two kinds of essential fatty acids: linoleic acid (aka omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (aka omega-3 fatty acid). Your body is able to convert omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids into other fatty acids that your body needs. Omega-3 fatty acids get converted into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega-6 essential fatty acids get converted into gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA then gets converted into dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DHGLA) and arachidonic acid (AA). These fatty acids are all very important for the normal functioning of your body and your health. Here is a list of some of the areas where they are active:
Telltale Signs of EFA DeficiencyIf you suffer from any of these symptoms, you may not be getting enough essential fatty acids in your diet:
Where Can I Get EFAs?You can get omega-6 essential fatty acids in most vegetable oils such as sunflower, safflower, soybean, and others. They are also found in nuts and seeds.The main sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids are flaxseeds and some fish oils. Many people are deficient in omega-3 essential fatty acids because the average North American diet contains at anywhere from 14 to 25 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids. A much healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 would be 2:1. Why Is Balance So Important?Both omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids play a role in the health and functioning of your body. Having a proper balance of each will help to maintain and even improve your health.You want to avoid getting too much of one not enough of the other because too much of one will lead to a deficiency of the other. That can be damaging to your health. Omega-6 fatty acids are needed by your body, but they do have a tendency to promote inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids on the other hand help to reduce inflammation. If you are getting too much omega-6 in your diet and not enough omega-3, you may have a higher chance of developing an inflammatory disease. Unfortunately, most oils that you find on the grocery store shelves are not well balanced. They are very high in omega-6 and low in omega-3 fatty acids. As a side note, most cooking oils have been processed and refined to the point where they are no longer healthy for you. That is where it becomes so important for you to make sure that you are getting a healthy and balanced intake of both kinds of fatty acids. A much healthier source of omega-6 oils is hemp oil and cold-pressed, unrefined vegetable oils. You can find these in most quality health food stores. As for omega-3 essential fatty acids, that is where flaxseed oil comes in… Are You Due For an Oil Change?Flaxseed oil is one of the best sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids. (It does have some omega-6 fatty acids, but in much smaller amounts). It has more than twice the amount of omega-3 that you would get from fish oils. (Just an aside about fish oils: They are not ideal because they are damaged during processing and they often contain environmental toxins).If you are like most people in North America you are getting more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3’s. You may need to consider supplementing your diet with flaxseed oil. It does contain some omega-6 fatty acids, but in much smaller amounts. Right now you may be questioning the wisdom of adding oil to your diet. It may even seem counterintuitive. We’ve all heard the many warnings about the dangers of a diet too high in fat. Let me set the record straight…. It is true that you should not get more than 30 percent of your calories from fat. It is also true that you need to get the right kinds of fat in the right amounts. If you don’t have the right balance of the right kinds of fat, it can actually increase your chances of developing chronic degenerative diseases like heart disease, stroke, and even cancer. Processed and refined cooking oils can worsen the problem. Scientific studies show that supplementing your diet with flaxseed oil will protect you against heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Supplementation can even help improve a number of health conditions. Here is a list of some of some the conditions flaxseed oil can benefit:
How Much Flaxseed Oil Should I Take?You can safely take anywhere from 1 – 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil each day. At the very least, follow the directions on the bottle or package.You can also get flaxseed oil in "softgel" capsules but you will need to take quite a few to get your daily dose. If you are planning on taking it in order to prevent or treat disease the amount you need may vary depending on your diet and the kind of disorder you have. Consult with a natural health practitioner for best results. Which One to Choose?The best kind of flaxseed oil to take is organic, unrefined flaxseed oil. Look for a brand of oil that is made from fresh pressed seeds and that has been processed in an environment without light and oxygen.Flaxseed oil is easily destroyed by oxygen, light, and heat so choose a brand that is packaged in a dark bottle. Amber glass bottles are the best. Cold-pressed flaxseed oil does not have any preservatives in it so be sure to store it in the fridge. If you want to extend the shelf life, store it in the freezer. (You can safely store glass bottles in the freezer because oil does not expand). Be sure to check the expiry date on the bottle before you buy. Occasionally stores may forget to take bottles off the shelf that are close to expiring. You don’t want to be stuck with a huge bottle of expired oil. Once the oil is expired, it is definitely NOT going to taste the same. How to Add Flaxseed Oil to Your DietFlaxseed oil has a somewhat nutty and slightly buttery flavor. The best way to get more in your diet is to have some with your food every day.If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take it straight by the spoonful. I don’t recommend it though. You may end up experiencing some oily burps later on. Not pleasant. Instead, you can :
Add flaxseed oil to your food after you are finished cooking it, but do not cook, fry, or bake with it. Heat damages the oil which will make it harmful to your body.
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