Omega-3 fatty acids are a key ingredient in flax seed. Whole flax seed is approximately 40% oil. 50% of this oil is ALA and half of this is Omega-3.
Flax seed offers a number of potential health benefits because of the presence of Omega-3 fatty acids and other anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Lignan is one of these ingredients. Lignan is an antioxidant rich in fiber.
Ground Flax seed is considered best. This is because the way the whole flax seed is digested.
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Flax seeds do have a nutritional place, however, ingesting them for the intake of Omega-3s is really not the optimal choice. Research shows that only approximately 2% of the short chain Omega-3 ALA can be converted in the body into DHA and EPA. These two long-chain Omega-3s are the source for anti-inflammation in the body. You would be better served to go straight to the best source, which is fish oil. Omega-3s from fish oil provides DHA and EPA. To get the same amount of Omega-3 DHA and EPA through Flax seeds, would require A LOT of flax seeds to be ingested daily.
Thanks, Tie, and along with fish oil, a diet of fish from deep waters.