What’s The Best Way to Get Omegas? Fish Oil? Nooooo!
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are “essential” because our bodies do not produce them; we must get them from food on a regular basis.
These fats, also called “Omegas,” are excellent for neurological health and cardiovascular health. If you ask most Americans how they get their EFA Omega 3 benefits, you’ll most likely be told “fish oil pills.” But fish oil pills are NOT the best way to get your Omegas!
In the article:
Is Fish Oil Good For You?
Fish oil pills are rancid, “purified,” deodorized, processed oils that do us no good.
Fish oil pills are the #1 supplement in America. Like lemmings rushing off the cliff, we’re all swallowing billions of dollars in rancid, “purified,” deodorized, processed oils that do us no good, according to the research.1
It’s such a lucrative business that some of the waterways in the world are being severely depleted.
We’re seeing a shift in the manufacturing marketplace to krill oil, where there is high supply and perhaps fewer issues with sourcing and rancidity.
However, that doesn’t address the problem with krill and other fish-oil sources being from waterways polluted with mercury and other toxins.
And guess what: a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows a dramatically higher risk of developing prostate cancer if you eat fish oil.2 The oils may fight inflammation, but they also create oxidative damage to DNA in cells.
Fish oil isn’t worth it!
The Best Whole-Food Source for Omegas
Flax has long been treasured as the best plant-based source for Omega Essential Fatty Acids, and many people purchase flax in seed or oil form.
Sprouting allows the nutrients to become available for absorption, and creating a living superfood!
But the BEST way to get Omegas from flax is by sprouting it.
Why is sprouted flax better than flaxseed or flax oil? Flaxseed, even when milled, is poorly absorbed unless sprouted—seeds have natural enzyme inhibitors to prevent digestion. Sprouting eliminates these inhibitors, allowing the nutrients to become available for absorption, and creating a living superfood!
And there are more benefits to sprouting flax seed:
- Sprouting stabilizes the abundant essential fatty acids in the seed, which not only increases absorption, but also decreases the chances of rancidity, unlike flax oil which must be refrigerated and used quickly. Flax that is sprouted and ground can have a shelf life of many years!
- Sprouting biologically activates the seed, unlocking and greatly increasing its vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other micronutrients, transforming it into a living superfood. On average, vitamins increase 500% compared to non-sprouted flaxseed Vitamin C and vitamin E can increase more than 900% when sprouted.
- Sprouted flaxseed has double the antioxidant value of non-sprouted flaxseed.
- Sprouting increases flax’s soluble-to-insoluble fiber ratio to a very rare 50/50, resulting in enhanced nutrient absorption, reduced food cravings, and sustained energy while providing gut-healthy bulk for digestive tract support.
- Lignans can increase as much as 14% during sprouting. Lignans have outstanding antioxidant properties and may help regulate hormone levels, support the immune system, and reduce the stress hormone cortisol.
So why isn’t everyone sprouting their flax? Flax seeds (and other “mucilaginous” seeds like chia) are notoriously difficult to sprout and use, because they can get gummy if you soak them too long. I’ve done it to make my Sprouted Flax Crackers, so I know they can be tricky to work with.
GreenSmoothieGirl’s Sprouted Ground Flax Seed and Tri-Omega Superfood
That’s why I developed an organic sprouted flax product that is germinated, gently dried to preserve the live nutrients, and then cold-ground into a rich powder that is easy to use.
This is fresh, sprouted, plant-based Omegas, with all the vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber in whole food, not rancid, deodorized, capsules of cooked fish oil that has been in the supply chain an average of 9 months when you swallow it.
I also created our organic TriOmega product to include the benefits of sprouted chia and broccoli seeds for optimal amounts of those tricky-to-get, all-important Essential Fatty Acids, but in whole-food form.3 It’s just organic, sprouted ground flax seed, chia seed, and broccoli seed! That’s all.
Either of these very special Omega-rich products are a great addition to your green smoothie, your homemade granola, and in baked goods.
It’s an easy way to store living, sprouted foods against the future, and against emergencies.
Read Next: Chia Seed vs. Flax Seed: Similarities, Differences, and When To Use Each
Robyn Openshaw, MSW, is the bestselling author of The Green Smoothies Diet, 12 Steps to Whole Foods, and 2017’s #1 Amazon Bestseller and USA Today Bestseller, Vibe. Learn more about how to make the journey painless, from the nutrient-scarce Standard American Diet, to a whole-foods diet, in her free video masterclass 12 Steps to Whole Foods.
Sources
- Greene, J., Ashburn, S. M., Razzouk, L., & Smith, D. A. (2013). Fish Oils, Coronary Heart Disease, and the Environment. American Journal of Public Health, 103(9), 1568–1576.
- Brasky Theodore M., Darke Amy K., Song Xiaoling, Tangen Catherine M., Goodman Phyllis J.., Thompson Ian M., Meyskens Frank L., Goodman Gary E., Minasian Lori M., Parnes Howard L., Klein Eric A., Kristal Alan R. Plasma phospholipid fatty acids and prostate cancer risk in the SELECT trial. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2013;105:1132–1141
- Zhang, Y., Talalay, P., Cho, C. G., & Posner, G. H. (1992). A major inducer of anticarcinogenic protective enzymes from broccoli: isolation and elucidation of structure. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 89(6), 2399–2403.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that help support the GSG mission without costing you extra. I recommend only companies and products that I use myself.
Posted in: High-Vibe Living, Supplements, Tools & Products, Whole Food
I am highly allergic to flax. Not any other nut or seed. Probably from a leaky gut. I called do chia and broccoli and any other suggestions?
Waiting to see the answer to Rachael’s question.
Hi Rachel – You could consider hemp 🙂
If I wanted to make your recipe for the flax seed crackers, how would I substitute your sprouted flax powder instead of having to sprout my own.
First. Remember who is doing the research and what their interest is. Of course it is very important to get fish oil that is sourced and processed correctly from a reputable company. Second. While flax gives you omegas it does not give you any DHA which is absolutely critical for brain health among other things. The only good source of DHA from a “vegan” source is from an algae. So please remember this when reading the above.
Yes the conversion of seed-based omegas from ALA to EPA and DHA is poor. So agreed, thank you for the comment. Need to educate people correctly! Not all fish oil is bad, get some from your holistic doctor- they will know a good brand.
I thought flax was was to be ground just before eating. I’ve read it quickly loses its food value once ground. Does this apply to sprouted flax seeds as well?
William, you are correct in that flax, once ground, can rapidly go rancid. Sprouting stabilizes the fragile essential fatty acids so they do not get rancid quickly – so we sprout, dry, then grind and we have tested the sprouted seed to find it completely shelf stable two years later!
It would be so awesome if you guys sourced a clean non contaminated golden algae product. I’ve been wanting to take that forever but am worried about finding one that is truly pristine instead of something that will make us sick. I wish there was more transparentsy out there.. I would be giving it to my daughter as well.
Rickelle, there’s a company in Florida that produces pure, raw spirulina, if that’s any help. I think it’s called Raw Living Spirulina. Haven’t tried it myself though…
Check out Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s EPA/DHA product. It’s a very high quality vegan source of EPA/DHA.
(no affiliation, just a customer)
Flaxseed is a healthy food–no doubt about that. But, as a source of good fat flaxseed is up to 65% Omega 6. And we get too much Omega 6 in our diet. The ideal ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 is 1:1. In reality, 2-4:1 is good and okay. But Americans are getting as much as 24:1 and that’s harmful to our health. We absolutely need to be getting more EPA and DHA.
Doesn’t flaxseed provide omega 3? Yes, but it’s in the form of ALA–not EPA or DHA!
Now don’t get me wrong. It’s not that flaxseed oil with its high concentration of ALA isn’t a good fat–it most certainly is. However, ALA, hasn’t been convincingly shown in research to be as powerful a health modulator as the two omega-3s found in fish and fish oil: EPA and DHA.
And yes, ALA converts to EPA and DHA. But it does so very poorly–typically 3-5%! (I can post the details of conversion if anyone is interested. It’s complex, requires many vitamins and minerals, and it takes our body time to do so.) Unfortunately, research has shown the very best conversion rate, which is rare, is 9%. This means we NEED to supplement our diet with sources of Omega 3 in the form of EPA and DHA. The ONLY effective sources are fish and fish oil.
Unfortunately, we have polluted our oceans and fish farms. Mercury is a very real concern. So, it’s important to find sources that are not polluted with mercury. There ARE good companies that produce fish oil without mercury and other pollutants and containments. The best fish sources are anchovies and sardines.
I commend Robyn on providing a great flaxseed supplement.
Tom, very well written. You are correct. It takes a lot of dedication to really understand how some stuff works, especially inside the body. When it comes to omegas every one should be very careful. Mush of the stuff out there is not what the label says. It took me 6 hours straight to analyze and compare the reports of the tests from all the companies. I take the oils from one of the companies listed and certified wit the highest ratings. I won’t say which one since I am financially involved with it. To everyone, do your best research when it comes to nutrition. A large part of your quality of life depends on it.
Much thanks Tom for sharing this info. I need to get more Omega 3 as I am down to my last 1 to 2 teaspoons in the bottle.
This is certainly the party line of the very wealthy fish oil industry! I don’t believe it, myself, but it does get regurgitated around the internet quite a bit!
I agree I am a Vegan and was taking Udos
Choice for many years but the oils in it were from sunflower, flax etc have to be converted to DHA and EPA and we do not know the conversion rate in the body. The true source is DHA is from algae which fish eat. Udos choice does not have enough DHA in it so most must be converted. That being said I decided since omega 3 is so important to get Omega 3 from fish and krill but only from a reliable company that is not contaminated.
Flax has a laxative effect on me which is why I avoid it.
Hmmmm, I wonder if you got a hold of a rancid product perhaps? We also recommend hempseed oil, coconut oil, olive oil or NO oil!
I am trusting that GSG is correct about the huge benefits, Omega-3 especially, of flax seed. Just invested $41 on Flax Seed via the Group Buy.
Good decision Susan! I’m confident this will be a staple in your pantry and diet. Best health in 2018!
Please ship to Canada soon!
Hi Brittany! I understand and believe me, we’re working finding a viable solution! We many Canadian friends who are in the current detox and found substitutions that will work well with our program!
Is it too late to do the group
Hi Debbie – are you asking about the 26 Day Detox? If so, you’re right on time! We go live January 2, 2018! https://greensmoothiegirl.local/detoxsecrets/detox-webclass-specials/ I hope you’ll be able to join! It’s going to be BIG!
I have SIBO (small intestinal overgrowth). Do you k ow if your flaxseed product is okay to take with SIBO?
You will benefit greatly from this produce but I would be remiss if I didn’t encourage you to consider our probiotic that actually has pre and probiotics plus a food enzyme PLUS Ultimate Minerals. These two products are game changers, important for everyone, every day but especially folks dealing with gut issues. https://greensmoothiegirl.local/2017/03/07/daily-dose-supplements/
I have MDS, & am O +, was told nuts & seeds weren’t good for me, Your flax sprouts sounds great! LOVE YOUR E-MAILS
Thank you Joanna. Best of health in 2018 and I hope you wil enjoy the sprouts – such an easy way to get your high nutrition needs met!
I’m told organic Hemp seed oil is highly beneficial for the omegas. How does this compare to organic flaxseed oil? Is the Flaxseed oil or the Hemp seed oil equally as nutritious as the sprouted Flax seed? Can you please advise how much I should be taking daily. Thank you
Hi Pamela – great question! While flaxseed oil contains a higher level of Omega 3 than hemp oil, it does not come in the ideal ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3. The Omega 3 in flaxseed oil is exclusively ALA (the short-chain fatty acids). Flaxseed oil does not contain any SDA – the more potent form of Omega 3 found in hemp oil.