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By Sandy Sachs on Sep 30, 2011 |Health and Fitness
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You have heard how omega 3 is so good for you, how it can be helpful in preventing disease and also be helpful in case you're already suffering from one, so you went to the pharmacy to buy some. Once at the store you are faced with the choice of different brands, dosages and types. Your first preference is omega 3, now what do you do?
Which one is better? Is the flax seed oil better than fish oil, or is the fish oil the best option available? What is a person to do? You try to ask others for their opinion, but if you are also like them, you feel hesitant.
The answer isn't really an easy one. both of them contain omega 3, that is what you really want. The next question is, which one you should prefer?
Fish oil is considered to be one of the best sources of omega 3. Fish oil contains only (EPA) Eicosaentaenoic Acid and (DHA) Docosahexaenoic Acid and does not contain (DHA) Docosahexaenoic Acid. This is a very important fact since not everyone can convert ALA to EPA and DHA. Fish oil can also contain harmful chemicals in it due to the polluted waters the fish are coming from. Many of our rivers and lakes have pesticides and other toxins in them that the fish are living in and absorbing before being caught to collect the oil from them. There are also farm raised fish that are being used that could provide a much better quality of fish oil.
Flax seed oil is rich in (ALA) Alpha-linolenic acid . ALA is a type of Omega 3 that can be converted into the DHA and the EPA type that our body needs. As mentioned above, the only problem with ALA is that not everyone is able to convert the ALA into the DHA and the EPA types. Flax seed can be a more desirable way of getting omega 3 since it is plant based. It doesn't have the fear of the toxins that that fish oil type can contain. You also don't get the burping after taste of fish. The only side effect of flax seed oil is that some people complain about bouts of diarrhea but not everyone .
Regular usage of omega 3 is very important for you. It can help relieve pain and swelling for arthritis. It is good for your heart, decreasing cholesterol levels in your blood, and controls high blood pressure. It is also known to be helpful in preventing colon, breast and prostrate cancers.
You should incorporate omega 3 in your daily routine. Try to make sure you get enough by eating fish a few times a week and do eat a lot of leafy green vegetables. Walnuts are a very good source along with flax seed oil and hemp oil. Including all the above will help you get adequate amounts of the omega 3 types each day. You can take supplements if you feel your diet does not contain sufficient omega 3.
When you are at the store trying to decide which supplement to take, it's really up to you. There are good things about both types and a few bad. The over all value of taking omega 3 over powers the bad but the choice is yours. You have your information, now you decide which you feel is the best.
Sandy is a common guest blogger at www.whatisomega3.com and offers some sound advice on What is Omega 3, which could be very helpful for you to lead a healthy lifestyle.
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