Flax Seed Oil And Diabetes

Flax seed oil may help you reduce the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride and thereby reduce the risk of diabetes, but if you already suffer from diabetes then flax seed oil may not be the best thing for you. If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your ability to convert ALA into EPA and DHA may be very inefficient. This is not true for all diabetes 2 patients, but the risk of not being able to convert ALA is significantly elevated and must be taken into consideration when you plan your diet. Fish oil or algae products that contain EPA and DHA are good alternatives to flax seed oil for those who are unable to convert ALA and those who convert inadequate amounts of ALA into usable EPA and DHA.

Flax seed oil and diabetes; why is converting ALA into EPA and DHA so important? ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are all omega-3 fatty acids, but only EPA and DHA can be used directly by the human body. ALA must first be converted into EPA and DHA.

Regardless of whether you have diabetes or is trying to prevent diabetes, it is important to keep in mind that flax seed oil will add calories and fat to your diet, just like any other oil. If you have diabetes, you must take this into account when you plan your meals, and the same is true if you have elevated levels of cholesterol and triglyceride. Ideally cut back on the omega-6 fatty acids that you normally consume. This will not only prevent you from consuming too many calories; it can also improve the omega-3 vs. omega-6 ratio even further.

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Flax Seed Oil Diabetes