Hemp Oil Vs. Flax Oil

Grown in many parts of the world, flax and hemp are two seed crops that are known for their stellar nutritional qualities. While both the oils are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, they have different nutritional profiles.

Facts

• Hemp oil is derived out of the seeds of the cannabis plant, and flax oil from the seeds of the linseed plant.

Properties

• The omega 3 fatty acids in flax oil are a whopping 55 percent, in the form of ALA, or alpha linoleic acid. While hemp oil contains a lesser amount of ALA, it also contains another fatty acid called GLA (gamma linoleic acid) that flax oil does not have. A choice between the two should be made after a careful evaluation of individual dietary needs.

Considerations

• Flax oil is mildly estrogenic and is counter-indicated for men and women who have hormone-dependent medical conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and cancers of the ovary, breast, uterus or the prostate.

Taste

• Preferences vary widely, but many people like the nut-like taste of hemp oil better than the stronger tasting flax oil.

Stability

• Flax oil, with its tendency to oxidize quickly even when stored in the refrigerator, can become rancid and bitter. Hemp oil is relatively more stable, but also needs to be refrigerated and cannot be used for high temperature cooking.