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Flaxseed oil
Every night I take two tablespoons, inspired by Seth Roberts, who is up to four and within my sights. This is not good for my weight but it is very good for my heart, my brain, and my gums. For most people the value of the dose should be strongly positive. The Omega-3 ingredient has a scientific consensus in its favor, with no evidence for negative side effects. Here are Seth's posts on the topic.
By the way, Seth's The Shangri-La Diet is now out in paperback.
Posted by Tyler Cowen on June 4, 2007 at 07:52 PM in Medicine | Permalink
Comments
OMG. I better go out for a run. Good for everything ;-)
Posted by: pinus at Jun 4, 2007 8:02:59 PM
I've always heard that fish oil is a better source of omega 3 than flax oil. Do you know something I don't?
Posted by: anon at Jun 4, 2007 8:19:55 PM
I get my omega-3 in fish oil (pill form, 2 pills twice daily, 4,000 mg. total). Is there an advantage to flaxseed oil over fish oil? P.S. I don't suffer any fishy aftertaste.
Posted by: ricpic at Jun 4, 2007 8:29:18 PM
I agree with the others, fish oil is supposed to be better than flax.
Posted by: Matthew at Jun 4, 2007 8:45:20 PM
I don't know which oil is a better source of omega 3's, but I do know flax seed is a better source overall than fish. I buy flax seeds at the store and then grind it into a powder with a coffee grinder. Then you can add the power to a protein shake, peanut butter sandwich, yogurt, etc. When you eat the ground seed instead of just the oil, you get the other nutrients found in the seed, as nature intended. And it's very inexpensive.
Posted by: Justin Tetley at Jun 4, 2007 8:50:33 PM
See also http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11981-flaxseed-may-slow-prostate-tumour-growth.html
Posted by: gaddeswarup at Jun 4, 2007 9:14:35 PM
Why not just eat more salmon and walnuts?
Posted by: Jon Moyer at Jun 4, 2007 9:22:31 PM
FIsh oil contains DHA and EPA, which are the forms of w-3 which the body actually uses. Flax and other vegetable sources are ALA, which teh body must convert in order to use. The coversion isn't very efficient, so optimal levels are often not reached. Thus, fish oil is better (and occasional salmoln consumption, while good, is usually not as good as daily fish oil caps.)
Posted by: yoyo at Jun 4, 2007 9:51:01 PM
Be sure to get one that says "with lignans" on the bottle.
I like to try to mix up brands and stores where I buy it, just in case one of them isn't properly refrigerating or transporting it.
Or, you can crack your own, with proper appliances, and sprinkle it on a salad.
Posted by: Macneil at Jun 4, 2007 9:58:19 PM
WWRHS?
Posted by: Chi at Jun 4, 2007 10:18:21 PM
This is not good for my weight but it is very good for my heart, my brain, and my gums.
Actually, it might be good for your weight. Some studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may aid in fat loss.
(P.S. I don't want to pester you Tyler, and it is no big hurry, but did you perhaps forget about the email I sent you asking for advice on studying economics?)
anon,
I've always heard that fish oil is a better source of omega 3 than flax oil. Do you know something I don't?
In normal human metabolism, flaxseed oil is converted to the same omega-3 acids that are in fish oil. Fish oil contains eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. The alpha-linolenic acid in flaxseed oil is converted into these two acids in the body. Some people with abnormal metabolism or diabetes reportedly do better with fish oil.
Posted by: tommy at Jun 4, 2007 10:21:32 PM
They are converted, but not enough for optimal levels. Plus its just less calories to add the fish oil.
Posted by: yoyo at Jun 4, 2007 10:32:46 PM
Note that on Amazon that the hardcover edition is $3.99. Nearly 60% less than the paperback version ($9.56). Unless you really see this as product differentiation (i.e. hate carrying around clunky hardcovers), act fast to get a deal. My theories are an one or combination of the following: (1) that there must be a limited supply of the hardcovers remaining and the demand has dried up, so Amazon has lowered the price significantly, (2) readers have been waiting for the paperback to come along and act quickly to get the 20% off-the-cover price of the paperback without checking the price of the hardcover, (3) people never heard of the book before and react with spontaneity to Tyler (and Tyler wannabes) thinking that the paperback must be cheaper, (4) there really is a lot of perceived product differentiation in the book market, which allows Amazon to create a two-tariff pricing model.
Posted by: Niall at Jun 4, 2007 10:52:57 PM
The trick re weight and flax oil (per Seth) is to minimize the flavor. Then it will actually help you lose weight (per the Shangri-La diet work). Seth recommends a swimmer's nose clip; I use a shot glass with a hot-water chaser to wash the oil down quickly, and I find this gives less flavor residue than the clip, unless you leave the clip on for 30 minutes or more. Also, if you take the flax oil at night it helps you sleep better, wake up more refreshed. All in the "strange but true" category :-)
Posted by: Tim Lundeen at Jun 4, 2007 11:28:53 PM
I shake my head as I can't help thinking of Barry Bonds.
Posted by: David at Jun 4, 2007 11:30:05 PM
Fish oil has a chance of being contaminated with heavy metals and other seaborn contaminants, the optimal for non vegetarians is this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krill_oil
The best for non vegeterians, and safest overall, is this:
http://www.water4.net/
Posted by: rhubarbpatch at Jun 5, 2007 12:17:43 AM
I drink flaxseed oil with my nose clipped shut. To make it easier to drink I mix it with about a quarter-cup of water.
Here is a good summary of precautions and drug interactions:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/flaxseed-oil-000304.htm
Posted by: Seth Roberts at Jun 5, 2007 12:29:15 AM
THe risk of heavy metals is low, but if you get filtered fish oil its not a problem. Look for ones w/o cholesterol.
Posted by: yoyo at Jun 5, 2007 12:30:14 AM
Actually omega-3 consumption can have the side effect of reducing ability to clot. Same with consumption of vitamin E. If one has a reduced ability to clot for whatever reason, or say, family history of hemorrhagic stroke, one should consider before really ramping up the dose of omega-3 oils. If one is taking an aspirin, blood thinners, eating a lot of chocolate or nuts, etc, or ginkgo extract, this can lead to nosebleeds, for example, as an external symptom. Of course that is just on the outside. Every economist knows there is no free lunch.
Posted by: barjac at Jun 5, 2007 12:36:38 AM
Hey Leonardo da Cowen - see this from the Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flaxseed/NS_patient-flaxseed
Note this sentence "Several studies in humans report an increased risk of prostate cancer in men taking alpha-linolenic acid (which is present in flaxseed) by mouth."
Posted by: Martin at Jun 5, 2007 1:25:02 AM
Surely, the main issue with fish-sourced Omega-3 is sustainability. MorEPA, which provides the amount of Omega-3 as in Durham trial requires 10 gallons of fish oil to make a gallon of concentrate.
You clearly need deep-sea fishing techniques, and these could potentially be disastrous.
Posted by: Naadir Jeewa at Jun 5, 2007 4:37:29 AM
Before getting too excited, note that Seth is always aware of his treatment. This is not a double blind experiment. Wishful thinking will do wonders to his results.
The scientific consensus on Omega-3 can be found here:
http://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/Information_About_Individual_Dietary_Supplements.aspx
And it says that
-It reduces heart disease
-No evidence on cognitive function
..until shown otherwise with a number double blind tests!
Posted by: Econ UK at Jun 5, 2007 6:28:40 AM
barjac, what effect do chocolate and nuts have on bleeding? haven't heard that one before, but maybe i should.
Posted by: DK at Jun 5, 2007 7:05:02 AM
Gee, it used to be that only health nut hypochondriacs took cod liver oil every day - wait - it still is!
Posted by: Robert Speirs at Jun 5, 2007 8:32:15 AM
Weight Watchers suggests two teaspoons a day.
Posted by: Pat Mathews at Jun 5, 2007 10:03:42 AM
