Can Flax replace fish oil?

From what I heard fish oil is a much better source of omega fatty acids than flax seed. I was taking flax seed for awhile and stopped and started taking cod liver oil (Carlson brand) and my depression and loneliness just went away. I feel great, better then I've felt in my life. I've been on 5 different anti-depressant meds in my life time. It pisses me off knowing I've taken all those drugs and the doctors never looked to see if I had any deficiencies, they just wanted their drug money. Anyway my point is I take cod liver oil and love it and truly believe it has cured my depression.
 
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Flax oil is made up of ALA for its omega 3 fatty acid while Fish oil is made up off DHA/EPA. Although ALA is beneficial for your body it will not give you the same results as DHA/EPA.
 
pmiller383 said:
Flax oil is made up of ALA for its omega 3 fatty acid while Fish oil is made up off DHA/EPA. Although ALA is beneficial for your body it will not give you the same results as DHA/EPA.
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Doesn't your body take that ALA and make its own DHA/EPA?
 
Yea, your body needs to convert the omega 3s into DHA/EPA when you take Flax. I've also heard something about possible estrogen sides but never read anything on it.
 
your body converts ala into epa but at something like 10% efficiency.

so you would need to take in A LOT of flax to get a good amount of epa.
 
Jordinator said:
Yea, your body needs to convert the omega 3s into DHA/EPA when you take Flax. I've also heard something about possible estrogen sides but never read anything on it.
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Same reason I stopped the flax, cant recall where I read it, but its out there someplace, just do the fish and you'll be fine.
 
soontobbeast said:
your body converts ala into epa but at something like 10% efficiency.

so you would need to take in A LOT of flax to get a good amount of epa.
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Thanks for the info, this one in particular, read some stuffs thought it might be worthwhile. Seems not.
 
Yeah, the EPA is the thing that's lacking in flax seed as ALA doesn't convert efficiently into it.

Having said that, there are several fatty acids we need to be healthy. Fish oil gets you two of them, but flax seed's ALA can be turned into whichever one(s) your body is in need of. There are also contamination and toxicity issues with fish oil, both from the fish itself and from the bleaching/processing the oil goes through- though most products are relatively safe. Plus animal cruelty/environmental issues if those concern you.
 
soontobbeast said:
your body converts ala into epa but at something like 10% efficiency.

so you would need to take in A LOT of flax to get a good amount of epa.
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its more like .5 % that flax converts to epa ect...

really not a good replacement.

estrogenic sides can occur supposedly, i havent seen any from people using it.
 
Flaxseed ground up is an amazing source of fiber though, makes going #2 regularly alot easier. I only do 1-2 tbs in the morning and I can def. tell the difference.
 
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