Does Flaxseed Oil Contain Omega-3, 6 And 9?

If you have been looking into vegan-friendly omega alternatives then it’s highly likely that flaxseed oil would have appeared in your search! Believe it or not, flaxseed oil is a plant source of various omega fatty acids. It’s supposed to contain a vital combination of all three of the main omegas; omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. All of those omega oils, as you may know, are very beneficial to your health as they can support the healthy function of your body in many ways. Omega-3 can support heart health, omega-6 can regulate your metabolism, and omega-9 can help improve cholesterol levels. Now, as essential as these omega oils are, for the body to function healthily, not everyone follows a diet that allows them to consume these three omegas; especially omega-3 fish oil which is sourced from oily fish. That is why alternatives like flaxseed are so popular; they are a vegan-friendly alternative that s said to still encapsulate all the essential fatty acids that the body needs. Let’s now explore this further to understand just how exactly flaxseed can help provide a substantial source of essential omegas… 

What is flaxseed oil? 

Firstly, what exactly is flaxseed oil? Well, it’s essentially exactly what the name says. It is an oil naturally derived from flaxseeds and is said to be a suitable vegan-friendly alternative to omega supplements and oils. It sometimes goes by the name of linseed oil but both are the same; made from flaxseed. The oil is extracted through a pressing process, forming a yellowish oil to give us naturally derived flaxseed oil. You can consume flaxseed oil as a liquid or capsule supplement to include as part of your daily diet. You can easily obtain 100% cold-pressed flaxseed (linseed) oil to add to your cooking or food as well as capsuled flaxseed oil in convenient supplements ready for consumption. Many people are still discovering that flaxseed is a vegan-friendly supplement that can provide the body with the essential nutrients and fatty acids it needs to aid in healthy functions inside the body; but what fatty acids exactly does it contain?...

Is flaxseed oil omega-3 or omega-6?

Flaxseed can help provide the body with all the essential nutrients and proteins needed to stay healthy, as the oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids! Flaxseed, specifically, contains the fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which the body can then convert into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Traditionally, omega-3 fish oil would be the ‘best’ source of the essential EPA and DHA fatty acids, however, flaxseed can also be a viable substitute that can also provide the body with all the essential fats it needs. 

What is flaxseed oil good for?

The body needs all of the essential nutrients from sources like omega-3 and omega-6 as they contain fatty acids that the body cannot naturally produce (omega-9 is something that the body can make). Therefore, if you cannot supplement ‘traditional’ omega-3 based on a dietary restriction or personal preference, it could end up leaving you with an omega-3 deficiency! This would not be good for your cardiovascular or cognitive health. Therefore, supplementing alternative sources of essential fatty acids (if necessary) is primitive to ensure you are supporting your organs' healthy function and boosting your immune system. Flaxseed oil can provide a source of all those essential fatty acids that can help keep you healthy in multiple ways. For instance, flaxseed oil can…

• Reduce inflammation
• Improve skin health 
• Improve heart health and function 
• Support brain health, cognitive function, focus, memory and even concentration

All of those benefits attached to the safe and regular consumption of flaxseed oil are just the tip of the iceberg as there are linked to flaxseed oil supporting eye health, reducing menstrual pain and can even stimulate hair growth!  

Is flaxseed a vegan alternative to omega-369?

The short answer here is yes. We briefly mentioned earlier that flaxseed is completely made from plants through a pressing process; no animal by-products are involved or present in this process. What's more flaxseed oil is known to be a suitable source of the two most important omega’s those being omega-3 and omega-6. Therefore yes, flaxseed is a vegan-friendly alternative to ‘traditional’ omega-3 or omega-368 supplements. However, a word of caution! If you are looking to buy flaxseed oil capsules or supplements as a vegan-friendly alternative to omega oil (omega-3 especially) then make sure your supplements are not made with animal-based gelatine if they are soft-gel capsules. 

Here at Wellgard, we have our extra special Vegan Omega-369 supplement that is made from 100% naturally derived flaxseed; this includes the capsule shell (made from Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose). Our rapid-release flaxseed oil vegan omega 369 capsules contain all the essential fatty acids that are needed to support the natural function of the brain, heart and eyes. They are even topped with an additional essential vitamin E source to further support your body!

What are the benefits of taking a flaxseed supplement over a ‘traditional’ omega-3 supplement?

To put it simply, they do work equally well to provide all the essential fatty acids but flaxseed oil is vegetarian and vegan-friendly which omega-3 fish oil is not. Plus, flaxseed does not cause any unpleasant aftertaste. If you have ever taken omega-3 capsules or fish oil you may be experienced a fishy aftertaste, fishy breath or even fishy burps; all common when you consume omega-3 supplements. Flaxseed oil does not cause any of those side effects so you can say goodbye to any fishy aftertaste lingering in your mouth; causing you to have strong breath or fishy burps. So to clarify, not only can flaxseed oil provides all the essential nutrients and fatty acids the body needs to stay healthy and doesn't leave any unpleasant aftertaste in your mouth. Flaxseed oil can offer the same benefits for the body as traditional omega-3 and omega-6 but in the form of a plant-based alternative.