A recent news story on CNN about Omega-3 supplements is quite interesting to us natural health seekers. The article confirms what you probably already know, that omega-3 fights inflammation. But it also explains why you should throw away th flax seed oil and go cozy up to a mackerel.
The CNN article by Judy Fortin (the correspondent with CNN Medical News) quotes Dr. Andrew Stoll, the author of “The Omega-3 Connection” as saying, “Every cell in the body requires omega-3 to function normally. They are a class of fats, good fats that are actually as essential as vitamins to our health.”

The story describes how doctors now know that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and protect cells by forming part of the cell membrane. “We know that omega-3 can protect the heart, the lungs, the kidneys, really every organ system that we know of, including the brain,” says Stoll.

But, as Dr. Stoll explains, Americans don’t eat enough healthy fish and thus, don’t get enough healthy omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.

Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines are the best sources of omega-3 and, for most patients, Stoll recommends one or two servings of the cooked fish a week.

Why these types of fish? Well, unlike other fish, which store the omega-3 fatty acids in their liver, the four recommended fish store it in their muscles, which is the part we like to eat, of course.

A caution is made however.

Certain fish are loaded with omega-3 and protein, but they also contain some mercury, dioxins and PCBs. “It’s a difficult situation to balance out,” cautions Stoll. “You need to eat some fish to be healthy, but if you eat too much fish, you’re putting yourself at risk. … So most Americans just can’t eat enough fish to get omega-3 in their diet.”

Pregnant women nursing and young children are cautioned not to eat any fish. Dr. Stoll says toxins can be harmful to developing babies and youngsters.

Actually, Dr. Stoll suggests taking a daily fish oil supplement instead; or finding another source.

So what about getting omega-3 from flaxseed supplements instead of fish or fish oil based supplements?

Well, Dr. Stoll says it’s a good way to increase your fiber, but flax doesn’t offer the same benefits of the omega-3 compound found in fatty fish. He also warns that two-thirds of the population cannot convert the omega-3 found in flaxseed.

In fact, according to Stoll, “Taking more than three tablespoons a day of raw flaxseed or ground flaxseed can inhibit the uptake of iodine in the thyroid, which can produce a goiter or enlargement of the thyroid gland.”

While Stoll doesn’t call omega-3 a dietary miracle, he does say, “We need it for optimal health. … If you have very little omega-3 in your diet, you will be prone to inflammatory disorders.”

If you would like to watch the CNN story about Dr. Stoll’s take on Omega-3 fatty acids, click HERE. (be prepared for a brief commercial, of course)