Flaxseed oil/Omega-3

Question
Hi,
I was shocked to read in a nutrition column in the local paper that flaxseed oil has the potention for breaking down and being associated with prostate tumors. Really surprised because I've been taking it a year or two. I'll switch to fish oil or nothing I guess. I wondered about the possibility of trace amounts of mercury in fish oil. Any comments on all this?
Carl


Answer
Hello Carl!

   Thank you for your nutrition question.  Studies examining the impact of fish consumption on cardiovascular health sometimes contradict one another. Increasing levels of Omega 3 fatty acids clearly reduces cardiac risk, but long-term accumulation of mercury could offset these gains and could even negate the protective influence.

One suggestion that I have is to eat a serving of sea vegetables daily and you may end up with less mercury in your system. Sea vegetables(Alaria, Kombu, Bull, Macrokelp)and supplements of Chlorella may be helpful in reducing mercury.


For more answers to your nutrition questions check out "Ask the Nutritionists" by George Rapitis at www.authorhouse.com

-George Rapitis, Bsc. Nutritionist
www.juiceblend.com  

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