Omega 3 Cures

Based on reviews, and the fact my daughter has a condition called Lymphatic Malformation, and my Mom has some health problems, I decided to give "Barleans" Flaxseed oil a try. I bought a whole 32oz, and was worried I would not be able to use it all. First of all, I believe in oils. Some of the most healing things on this Earth are oils, and fats, such as Castor, Olive, and coconut oil. I had heard it tasted a little strong, but it was actually the mildest tasting oil I have used so far. Even more mild tasting than olive oil. Coconut oil is very hard for me to eat, and ofcourse castor oil is gross,. So...I used flaxseed oil in a banana milkshake with soy protean powder, AND WAS AMAZED! I could not taste it AT ALL, and if anything, it imparted a nice pleasant flavor to it.

Immediately My Mother and I felt something wonderful. I did hear something about using flaxseed oil to treat Depression, and I have to say guys, it's real.

She said her mind felt very clear, and she just felt a lot better, and I had a distinct feeling of increased energy. Even my eyesight seemed clearer, my mind felt clearer, it was amazing. I felt strangely happy. I felt so good, I felt a charge. I felt like the blood was pumping in my veins, and I set out to clean the whole house! I also played with my daughter, and I'm usually feeling so tired and sort of depressed at the end of the day, I usually don't have the energy. Some of the oil got on my hands, and it left a really nice pleasant scent to it. This oil is great!!.. and I see what all the fuss is about. You cannot taste it at all in shakes, it's awesome. It's the most powerful oil I've used so far. I feel a distinct difference when taking it. It's like the depression is gone.

Fish Oil (Omega 3 Fish Oil) REALLY helps with depression. I have been battling severe clinical depression for over 2 years now. Though I'm emotionally & mentally better, I had problems with irregular sleep pattern, excessive sleepiness and lack of energy. I read that Omega 3 can help, so I tried taking it. After just 3 days on 3000mg a day (taken on breakfast, lunch, dinner), for the first time in years I noticed I slept less during the day and slept better at night. It's been weeks now and I continue taking 1000-3000mg a day, and I keep feeling better. I now wake up feeling more refreshed and motivated to do things. I have the energy to actually do them. My naps are short, or sometimes I can go without one. I feel sleepy after a certain time (at night) and can actually sleep throughout the night and wake up ONLY when it's morning. It has regulated my sleep cycle! I can't remember the last time I feel this great! It's amazing such improvement can be achieved with just a simple thing like Fish Oil. Do try it. There can be no harm, only good.

WARNING!

If you have bipolar tendencies (e.g. getting hypomanic when taking an SSRI anti-depressant) be careful when taking flax seed oil, a very small percentage get hypomanic (e.g. you feel like you have ants in your pants and can't sit still). When such a person continues to take the flax oil, it may trigger a manic episode.

I can tolerate Omega 3s in fish oil but not flax oil or flax mixed with cottage cheese. Not many people seem to know this side effect of flax that effects like 1% or so of users but somewhere online I came across it after already experiencing it myself. Most people aren't bothered.

The below info on flax seed oil comes from the Federal Government's Data Base on plants compiled by James Duke, PHD. This is only a small part of information on chemicals in flax & their actions.

I also wrote down some of the chemicals found in flax seed:

acetic acid 3,105 - 3,853 ppm (ACV is 5% actic acid)
alanine - antioxidant, cancer preventative
alpha linoleic acid l08,000 228,000 ppm
magnesium 3,715 -7,002 ppm
tocopherol 57 ppm (Vit E)
tryptophan, lysine, and other amino acids

I can also add that I have taken quite a bit of flax seed oil without any harm or unwanted side effects. Jim Duke's book "The Green Pharmacy" also includes flax seed and flax seed oil.

Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases
http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/

ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL
Oil 5 ppm;

Antialzheimeran; Antianginal; Antiarthritic; Antiasthmatic; Antiatherosclerotic; Anticancer; Anticataract; Anticonvulsant Synergen; Antidementia; Antidiabetic; Antiinfarctal; Antiinfertility; Antiischemic; Antimaculitic; Antimutagenic; Antineuropathic; Antioxidant 5 x quercetin IC34=10 uM; Antiparkinsonian; Antiradicular 5 x quercetin; Antiretinotic; Antirheumatic; Antistroke; Antitumor; Antitumor (Bladder); Antitumor (Prostate); Antitumor (Stomach); Antitumor-Promoter; Cancer-Preventive; Cardioprotective; Circulotonic; Immunomodulator

Update to my flax post... After trying out a bunch of brands over the past few years, I finally bought one that tastes good! Okay, so this is an a rare Earth Clinic product endorsement and no, EC didn't get a free bottle from the manufacturer! The brand name is Barlean's and you can find it in the refrigerated section of Whole Foods. I take 1 tablespoon 3x a day on an empty stomach. No stomach problems, believe it or not. This one tastes a whole lot better than the other brands I have tried. Most of them have that terribly rancid after-taste.

Re: the skin -- yes, if you want dewy, moisturized, baby soft skin, flax is the way to go. Takes 20 minutes after eating a tablespoon of flax oil to see the results in my skin. It definitely softens my forehead creases. If you have tough, dry hands or cracked heels, this remedy is for you! The only problem is that effects of 1 tablespoon only lasts about 8-10 hours... But then another 24 hours to go back to the way your skin was before the flax...

First thank you for the amazing amounts of help you share. Through the inspiration of your readers I decided to put my Golden Retriever older puppy on a more informed diet than feeding her retail store junk. I give her a natural kibble and she is doing well. In the interest of protecting her joints in old age I have her on a supplement. To take it one step further I give her a teaspoon of flaxseed oil in her meals each day. After six months I noticed that she is not shedding profusely as a former golden did. I do brush her regularly but there is no excessive hair all over the house. Plus I noticed that her pads are very soft. Perhaps this could help a hair challenged pet owner out there? Aside from strengthening her body she has the benefit of a very healthy coat!

Ground Flax seeds cured my ulcers. When blood appears in my stool, I take 1 - 2 TBSP freshly ground flax seeds with hot water. I always take it in the morning and before dinner. The best if you take in on empty stomach.

I have been taking flax seed oil for my skin. However, one additional benefit I have noticed is that flax oil is very helpful during those hormonal fluctuations in my cycle (ie., PMS!). I take more or less depending on how I feel. I take up to 3 tablespoons as day starting a week before I get my period. It takes about an hour, but has an immediate calming effect. I would say the effect lasts about 8 hours before I need to take more. I have also noticed that on day 5 of my period, something shifts in my brain chemistry again (ie., emotional, easily triggered) and I up my flax seed oil dosage again. I am going to keep experimenting with the dosages and will let you all know. I am guessing this could be one of the best remedies to get through perimenopause and menopause. Any else had the same results as me?

I have been taking blood pressure medication for over one year. I heard, from two different sources, about using ground flaxseed & thought I would give it try in order to "wean" myself from prescription drugs. I have been amazed at the results. I take a total of 4 tablespoons a day - usually 2 in the morning & 2 at night. I usually just mix it in water but sometimes I put it in my food (oatmeal works well & so does soup). I have been using it for 6 weeks and have decreased my meds from 20 mg a day to 5 mg a day!! My blood pressure has been more stable and MUCH, MUCH lower than when I took the full dose of my daily medication. It really does work. My goal was to be off prescription medication by January 2006 but I think I will make well before then!!!

My cholesterol is 6.33. The doctor said I had to go on cholesterol drug but I tried out two of them and had a bac reaction. So, I went to a health food store "ROOT CELLAR" here in Charlottetown and tried cholesterol tablets but had trouble with them. So, I bought their "Omega-3 fish oil" ...I've only been on it for two weeks...too soon to tell if cholesterol level is down but I must say that I feel much better after so short a time on Omega-3. It says on the bottle that it's made from HERRING. Other stores have oil made from salmon but this store has a good reputation so I bought oil there.

I found the following information below in quotes from a website after reading that the ALA (there is no DHA or EPA)in flaxoil can cause an eicosanoid imbalance in the body leading to increased inflamation and ill health. I take the fish oil to get the EPA and DHA that balances eicosanoids and protects brain cells. I take 1000 mg of molecularly distilled fish oil to avoid any pcb's or dioxins and borage oil for the proper balance of omega 6.

"Omega-3 (you may sometimes see it written as n-3 or w-3) is the name given to a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The parent omega-3 - alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) - is described as 'essential' as, like vitamins, it must be obtained from diet. It is polyunsaturated and has 18 carbon atoms and 3 double bonds (18:3).

However, from the point of view of human nutrition, the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5)and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) - EPA and DHA - are considered much more valuable as these are the forms the body requires. In theory, humans are able to synthesise EPA and DHA from dietary ALA, but in practice this process is inefficient. Scientists have therefore concluded that EPA and DHA should be obtained from diet. Oil-rich fish and supplements such as fish oil and cod liver oil, are the richest and most readily available sources. Other sources such as krill and fortified everyday foods like bread and fruit juices are in production in a minor way in various parts of the world.

If you have constipation, taking a capsule of flax seed oil with some water first thing in the morning works wonders. Give it 20 minutes -- make sure you don't go anywhere, this stuff works fast! It is an excellent way to cleanse the bowels as well.

I've heard that Flax oil works better in women than in men. Men should take fish oil instead. Don't know the reason why, sorry.

ROSACEA CURE: FLAX/BORAGE/FISH OIL. AFTER 3 MONTHS I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS.

I have had a chronic, bumpy rash on my upper legs for as long as I can remember. I started taking a fish/flax/borage combo supplement three times daily, as well as an Ester C supplement. My bumpy skin disappeared in less than a week! This had been a problem for me my whole life, and suddenly it was gone! When I stopped taking the supplements, the bumps came back. I don't know if it was the combo of the Ester C and Omega oils, or just the oils, but it works and I am so happy! My skin looks more plump and healthy than it used to... hmmm, maybe fish/flax can help wrinkles fade? Will work on that and report back.

First I took flax, then I switched to Cod Liver Oil from Norway (no mercury, contaminants, etc). I think I was taking 2 capsules a day. After 2 days I had a sharp pain in my gall bladder which I get if I eat too much fat. I stopped taking the cod liver oil and the pain went away. I went to Whole Foods and found an excellent brand of flax oil with 15% flax seed particles. There were only a few bottles left so I figured it must be a good brand! At any rate, I noticed quite by accident that, after increasing the flax to 3 capsules 3x a day, my anxiety and adrenaline decreased. I knew flax seed oil has been used sucessfully in the treatment of depression and bi-polar disorders, but I didn't know that flax oil could also diminish anxiety! Needless to say I am unbelievably pleased to discover this. Last week I took a break from the flax oil and my anxiety returned as usual after a couple of days. I hope others will try flax for anxiety and write in about it. I would be curious to know if it has the same effect on others.