Flax seed oil vs. Fish oil

[Jared]

I really haven't been taking any supplements, but am now starting to look into them. So far I've added a good gnc multivitamin and want to add some omega 3's and 6's. From what i've read online there is a pretty good debate on whether to take flax or fish, both pluses and minuses on both sides. Anyone here have any thoughts on which is better?

Also since I'm new to adding supplements these are the only two that stand out so far. Are there any others anyone would recommend?

 

[Guestly]

I had a raid on my local pharmacy when it was doing a 3 for 2 deal, now I can't offer advice on flax, but I when I raided the special deals I grabbed, green tea capsules, aloe vera capsules, and peppermint capsules, all of which are supposed to be good for digestive health. I especially like the peppermint - I am prone to a bit of acid, and now I have minty freshness working it's way up from what feels like the depths of my bowels!

 

[Jared]

mmm sounds delicious...

 

[DanSJVDavis]

Yeah, I've heard that fish oil is better as far as quantity of Omega 3, but I have also heard arguments on both sides. I use Norwegian Gold Daily Omega. Each pill has 1200mg of Omega 3 and boasts 3x more absorption then other brands. Also timed released, so it's less likely to cause fish burps and is more likely to target the intestinal tract for better absorption. It's got Lipase in it for enhanced digestion of the Omega 3. Not bad stuff, but I'm bout out. Have to order me some more.

 

[shazamataz]

Don't quote me on this but it is the omega 3 you want, the omega 6 are the bad ones I think. Fish oil is highly recommended for inflammation/digeation. Lots of people on here take it

 

[DanSJVDavis]

Don't quote me on this but it is the omega 3 you want, the omega 6 are the bad ones I think.

Ha! I did quote you! Yep, a lot of 6's aren't good for our bowels. Personal case in point, I grew some borage a couple years ago and couldn't figure out why I always felt like crap after eating it. It's got a lot of Omega 6 in it. Too much Omega 6 actually causes inflammation.

I take at least 3 pills a day of that Daily Omega. My family doc recommended a high dose of omega 3. It's actually cool to have a family doc that also has Crohn's.

 

[kskitt]

Hmm lishyloo, i might try those 3, espec the peppermint capsules, although i do eat a lot of minty sweets - dunno if that counts lol?

 

[Guestly]

Yes! Totally delicious! My burps smell scrumptious!

I am sure if I could fart with confidence it would also be minty fresh!

Anyway... I am hijacking here, but to add to the above - I was under the impression that its the Omega 3 we need... I take a double dose...

Lishyloo

 

[CrohnsHobo]

I take fish oil.

In addition I also take Folic Acid, B Complex, B12, Calcium+D, Multivitamin, and more recently giving Curcumin a shot.

Not sold on the Curcumin yet, but we will see.

 

[katfisher]

Any new thoughts on the Curcumin now that it's been almost 2 months?

 

[slice]

I confuse the numbers but I've always heard that fish oil is an anti inflammatory while flaxseed oil is an inflammatory. Before I knew the difference I took flaxseed oil in large doses and it made me much worse. When I switched to fish oil I did MUCH better. It definitely helps me but it's way expensive and insurance doesn't cover it so I take it when I feel things going bad. Also, the burping up taste is awful but the lemon flavored makes it tolerable.

 

[Mazen]

Fish oil is supposed to be better, because the body doesn't have to do any work to convert it to the helpful EPA and DHA. While flaxseed oil needs to go through the bodies processing tools for it to be converted to EPA and DHA and this is only about 10% effecient in normal people; so you will need much larger doses of flaxseed oil to have the same effect as fish oil.

As for flaxseed oil being inflammatory that is not true. It is a source of both Omega 3 (anti-inflammatory) and Omega 6 (inflammtory) but the ratio of Omega3/Omega6 is about 5:1, so it's very good. The main problem with flaxseed oil is the one I mentioned above, as well as that it goes rancid easily, so you have to always refrigerate it and consume it quickly.

If you are worried about the fishy burps, you can either get a very good quality pharmaceutical grade fish oil which usually has no taste (they also sometimes add lemon taste to it), or get enteric coated ones. Another tip I read somewhere is to freeze the capsules and take them, but i haven't tried this yet.

Finally, I never actually noticed any difference with my Crohn's by taking fish oil. But it is supposed to help in many areas, and we all need the extra nutrition, so I take it anyways. Just make sure you take at least 100 IU VitE inorder for it not to oxidise in the body. I take a multivit which provides this amount of VitE.

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

I was told to avoid flax oil when I was taking Entocort.

 

[mwb3779]

I take Fish Oil, B12, Vitamin D, Multivitamin Chromium Picolate (Sugar Metabolizier)

 

[D Bergy]

I use Krill Oil.

You don't need to take as much, and there is no problem with taste or burps. Krill are small critters, and small critters do not suck up Mercury like large ones.

Crohn's or not, most people need to up the Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio.

From what I have read by people who agonize over these questions, Fish Oil is preferred over Flax Seed oil. The following link explains it pretty good.

Of course a person can take some of both, as they both have something different to offer.

http://www.supplementquality.com/efficacy/fishoil_flaxoil.html

Dan

 

[colin324]

I swear by curricumin. I found that eating Indian curries (not the really hot ones !) that it settled my bowels quite nicely. Fortunately, my work canteen has Indian curries once a week (one of the assistants is Indian and prepares them). I've found I am a lot less likely to suffer cramps or D if I have a weekly hit. It was fairly noticeable when I had a week off for holiday, that things were starting to go downhill.

 

[bangarang]

I would get flax unless you research your fish oil brand, or better yet go with krill or chia if you wanted more plant options.

Other things/supplements I'd recommend:

1) A quality juicer:
Everyone with this illness needs to get one, we need fruits and veggies in our diet, never going to truly get better without them.

2)A stool bulker:
Chia(great in omega3s too!), garden of life's super seed(also over 1g of omega 3s per serving too!), or psyllium husk or seed. Either one would be an excellent stool softner.

3)Green food powder:
Healthforce Vitamineral Green, Dr Schulze Superfood, or Pure Synergy Superfood are all excellent. Their are other good brands that are alittle cheaper but these are the best in my opinion. Also these are all loaded in easy absorbable vitamins, taking a multi is okay but majority of multivitamins have synthetic ingredients which don't absorb well, makes body use more energy, and can be toxic. Look for a more food based variety, if you need any suggestions let me know.

Now these aren't totally necessary like I feel the other 2 are but if you have enough cash:
Boswellia, Turmeric.
Also get into teas, have a ginger or peppermint tea everyday. I like the yogi brand of ginger tea has bunch of good herbs for the tummy.

 

[sparkypoptart]

I take fish oil.

In addition I also take Folic Acid, B Complex, B12, Calcium+D, Multivitamin, and more recently giving Curcumin a shot.

Not sold on the Curcumin yet, but we will see.

Hi, I read your post and saw all of the past treatments that you have tried.
How long have you had Crohn's?

I'm surprised that at least three of those treatments didn't work (the biologics, Remicade, Cimzia and Humira).

I am currently on Remicade and doing well, actually...I have tried all the medicines you have tried (except methotrexate) and nothing worked except for Humira, then the Remicade.

You are taking some really good supplements, have you ever tried Forvia? Its pretty good as well.

Btw, what is heck is curcumin, lol?
Cheers,
Julie

 

[Brook]

Btw, what is heck is curcumin, lol?
Cheers,
Julie

It is Turmeric, which is yellow in colour - often added to curries.

 

[sparkypoptart]

It is Turmeric, which is yellow in colour - often added to curries.

Oh yeah, I've tried that...it was nasty and did nothing for me...thanks!