What Is the Difference Between Fish Oil & Flaxseed Oil?

Both fish oil and flaxseed oil contain omega 3, but they are not the same type of omega 3. Fish oil contains EPA and DHA fatty acids while flaxseed contains ALA fatty acids.

Fish oil

• Fish oil helps to reduce cholesterol levels as well as fight inflammation in the body. Fish oil comes in gel capsule form, liquid or by consuming fish in the diet. Fish oil contains docasahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids.

Flaxseed oil

• Flaxseed oil is also an omega 3 but contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that fish oil does not contain. It is beneficial for inflammation and cholesterol. ALA is also good for the heart since it may help prevent heart attacks.

Significance

• Both fish oil and flaxseed oil fight inflammation and are good for lowering cholesterol levels. The difference is the way in which DHA and EPA in fish oil lower triglycerides, while flaxseed oil reduces overall bad cholesterol.

Considerations

• For those who are vegan, flaxseed oil will be the clear choice since it is plant based. For everyone else, a combination of both flaxseed and fish oil together is the best way to benefit from both.

Warning

• Fish oil supplementation tends to vary in quality, so it is important to know what species the oil came from and how the company produces the oil. Some of this information may be on the label on the bottle of fish oil.