Category Archives: Flax Oil

Storing Oils

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Robert Barrington

ils are fats that are liquid at room temperature. The more polyunsaturated the oil, the more unstable the oil will be. This is because the double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain increase the reactivity of the oil, causing chemical oxidation … Continue reading →

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Delta 6-desaturase: The Essential Fatty Acid Roadblock

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) are precursors to a number of important signal molecules that are required for cell function. These long-chain fatty acids accumulate in cell membranes and are then used by the … Continue reading →

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Alpha Linolenic Acid: Has it Become Irrelevant?

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Humans lack the Δ15-destaurase enzyme necessary for the conversion of linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)) to α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)). However, plants possess Δ15-destaurase and some plant foods are therefore good sources of ALA. In humans, plant derived ALA … Continue reading →

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Long Chain Fatty Acids: Mood Enhancers?

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Fish contains two important dietary n-3 long-chain fatty acids, eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)). These fatty acids accumulate in plasma membranes where they may increase membrane fluidity, and can also influence cellular function through … Continue reading →

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Alpha Linolenic Acid: Is it Beneficial to the Heart?

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Robert Barrington

The essential fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) is required for human health because it enters the metabolic pathway that synthesises hormones required to regulate cellular inflammation and immunity. Flaxseeds and walnuts are good sources of ALA but smaller … Continue reading →

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Alpha-Linolenic Acid: Metabolism

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) is an essential fatty acid that is required for human health. The main dietary sources of ALA are plant material such as flaxseeds, hemp seeds, green leafy vegetables and walnuts, although other seeds and nuts … Continue reading →

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Flax and Lipoprotein(a)

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a class of lipoprotein associated with an increased rick of cardiovascular disease because it may damage the endothelial linings of the arteries. Lipoprotein(a) is structurally similar to the low density lipoprotein particle, except that it contains an … Continue reading →

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Fish, Flax or Hemp?

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Evidence suggests that many people do not ingest the correct ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids, and as a result they develop chronic systemic inflammation that may cause disease and ill health. Current recommendation is to reduce dietary intakes … Continue reading →

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Alpha-Linolenic Acid From Flax

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Western diets are too high in the n-6 essential fatty acid linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 (n-6)) and too low in the n-3 essential fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)). This imbalance in essential fatty acids, in addition to high … Continue reading →

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Flax Seed and n-3 Fatty Acid Status

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Robert Barrington

The flax plant produces seeds that contain high levels of n-3 fatty acids in the form of α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)). Around 55% of the fatty acids by weight in flax seed oil are ALA. The benefits of the … Continue reading →

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