Flaxseed-A Cheap Vegetarian Source of Omega-3 and Omega-6-A Review

Omega-3 fatty acids also known as n-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential nutrients for health. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to significantly reduce the risk for sudden death caused by cardiac arrhythmias and all-cause mortality in patients with known coronary heart disease. As in other oil seeds, flax too is one of the very high-calorie foods. 100 g of seeds contain 534 calories or 27% of daily-required levels. Further, the seeds are an excellent source of numerous healthbenefiting nutrients, dietary fiber (mucilage), minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. In addition to being anti arrhythmic, the omega-3 fatty acids are antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory. In contrast, omega-6 fatty acids, which are present in most seeds, vegetable oils, and meat, are prothrombotic and pro inflammatory. There is an optimal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in the human diet. Oils such as flaxseed, walnut, and canola help to maintain this balance. This ratio is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. There is a growing movement globally to restrict the level of omega-6 fatty acids in the human diet and replace with mainly monounsaturated fatty acids.