Flax Oil and Coconut Oil

Rich in healthy omega-3 fats, antioxidants and other healing properties, flax and coconut oils may provide a variety of health, skin and hair care benefits, although scientific evidence is lacking to demonstrate effectiveness for certain conditions.

Identification

• Coconut oil comes in a white, solid form that turns to a clear liquid when heated, while flax oil comes refrigerated in liquid form.

Features

• Flax oil contains three essential omega-3 fatty acids, including anti-inflammatory alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), that your body uses as energy, instead of storing as fat. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides, which the liver breaks down quicker than other fats and immediately converts into energy.

Health Benefits

• Although flax oil is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, high blood fats, anxiety, vaginal infections, hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, MedlinePlus, which is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, reports that there is insufficient scientific evidence to determine its effectiveness.

  While proponents of the use of coconut oil claim that it increases good HDL cholesterol, increases metabolism, helps burn fat and may prevent heart disease, both MedlinePlus and MayoClinic.com advise against consuming coconut oil in a heart-healthy diet because of its high saturated fat content.

Cooking Considerations

• Keep flax oil refrigerated and do not heat when used for cooking. Stop heating coconut oil when it starts to give off smoke to avoid loss of taste and healthy properties.

Warnings

• Do not consume flax oil if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a bleeding disorder. Avoid taking flax oil with medications that slow blood clotting or lower blood pressure.