3 Reasons Fish Oil Is Better Than Flax Seed Oil

Fish oil and flaxseed oil promise to provide a multitude health benefits to anyone who takes it regularly. Both are excellent sources of good omega-3 fatty acids. But which is better than which? Not all of us have the luxury of time and finances to try and test both and see which one is best to take. So here is a piece of advice put bluntly: fish oil is a better investment for health than flaxseed. Here are three reasons why fish oil is still superior to flaxseed oil.

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1. Flaxseed contains high levels of ALA, but the other one active ingredients are EPA and DHA.

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Flaxseed primarily contains the omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is not readily absorbable by the body. When consumed, it enters the body, gets desaturated, and acted upon by enzymes which convert ALA to EPA and then to DHA. The conversion is only partial, and it has been found that ALA in flaxseed is poorly changed to EPA, and conversion to DHA is virtually zero. so the real active EPA and DHA you get is only a fraction of the original dose you started with. Of all the omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA are the ones that directly provide health benefits, while the other one directly provides you what your body needs.

2. Claims about flaxseed oil are unsubstantiated.

Sure, there are reports on the benefits of flaxseed, but these product claims are still unsubstantiated. There has not been any placebo-controlled, definitive clinical study that proves the effectiveness of this in giving health benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids indeed offer health benefits of different sorts, but it has only been fish oil that is proven to work, thanks to hundreds of clinical studies conducted and continuously being performed.

3. Flaxseed oil may be carcinogenic.

Flaxseed oil is said to promote healthier cardiovascular function, lower blood pressure and improve skin texture. However, flaxseed oil reportedly brings about unwanted side effects - from simple allergic reactions to stomach upset and flatulence, to increased risk for breast cancer.

This is not to say that fish oil is free from unwanted side effects. Depending on where the fish was sourced from, contamination with mercury and other toxins may be present in the fish. This is the reason why consumption of high amounts of fish is highly discouraged. The better option is to go for high quality ultra-refined fish oil supplements instead. These supplements contain the purest form of omega-3 in high, potent amounts to ensure results.

You don't have to get confused which to choose. It still reigns supreme when it comes to omega-3 supplements. So choose your way to health today - take your daily dose of it and enjoy all the health benefits only omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA can provide.

3 Reasons Fish Oil Is Better Than Flax Seed Oil

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Geotechnical Drilling: The 3 Most Common Reasons To Order A Geotechnical Investigation

Geotechnical drilling has become a common factor in facilitating and ensuring the success of engineering plans relating to new building and structure construction and more. In this article, I will cover the 3 most common reasons to order geotechnical investigations and its applications in the commercial construction and in the engineering industry.

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First of all, geotechnical drilling is very useful and often required by law to investigate a new building site. To make sure that a site is appropriate for the new construction, a geotechnical investigation makes sure that the soil is safe to build on and that there are no large rocks that could make the structure collapse. Often, laws require that a site be verified for safety before approving a building permit.

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Besides, safety reasons for ordering a geo environmental investigation, the second reason to order a geotechnical drilling rig is to facilitate the building of foundations that are far superior to conventional piling. After obtaining soil samples from the geotechnical drillers, geotechnical engineers are able to conceive and elaborate economically sound plans for foundational support that will best support buildings structurally. Based on the results of geo tech drilling, the foundation construction industry has been dramatically improved and has allowed for ultimate results in the construction of tall buildings, bridges, piers and levees.

The third most common reason to order a geotechnical investigation is to detect and assist in the remediation of contaminated soil. Since contaminated oil or water can harm living organisms including people, it is crucial to detect any leakage caused by underground fuel tanks or caused by waste disposal in a careless manner. Geotechnical drilling comes into the picture in phase II of an environmental site assessment. This usually occurs when a site changes owners.

A Canadian ESA (environmental site assessment) includes three phases. A phase 1 assessment detects if there is evidence of contamination. It includes research on the history of the site and an on site investigation and report put together by a qualified environmental consultant. If there is evidence of potential contamination, a phase II investigation is then ordered. This second phase will confirm the presence of contamination and is largely assisted through geotechnical drilling. A phase II environmental investigation includes drilling, sampling, testing and groundwater monitoring through wells installed by the geo tech drillers. Phase III is when remediation is put into place if contamination levels are unacceptable. A phase III investigation will determine which methods can be used to clean up or at least contain the contaminants.

Geotechnical Drilling: The 3 Most Common Reasons To Order A Geotechnical Investigation

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Cave Houses in the Altiplano De Granada - 5 Great Reasons to Buy a Cave in Spain

Despite the worldwide economic crisis southern Spain still remains an area where many people of all nationalities wish to live. It enjoys some of the best weather in Europe and represents a more relaxed way of life for thousands of migrants from the cooler industrialised north. Relocaters, down-sizers and investors have for some time been looking inland from the bustling resorts of the Mediterranean coast. 

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The Altiplano de Granada is a beautiful and only recently discovered part of Andalucia. It is only a one and a quarter hour drive from the coast and within easy reach of several international airports. 

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The cave house is the traditional type of dwelling to be found in and around the Altiplano. There are literally thousands of these unusual properties excavated into hillsides in this area. Most people could never imagine wanting to buy and live in a cave, but here are 5 great reasons why you may wish to do so.

Cave houses in the Altiplano can be very cheap to buy and they usually represent good value for money. It is possible to find properties in every condition from run-down and neglected to partially and fully restored with all modern conveniences. At this time there are some excellent bargains to be found as there are many caves for sale. Cave houses do not generally have much in the way of external roofs and walls, and can therefore be much cheaper to renovate than more conventional types of property. This work, which can be undertaken by professional builders, also offers plenty of scope for the do-it-yourself enthusiast. Cave dwellings were originally excavated into the compacted earth and clay of dry hillsides and therefore there should be not be any problems with damp. It is, however, always a good idea to check before buying. Cave houses are cheap to live in and eco-friendly. They maintain a uniform temperature of  between 18°C and 20°C throughout the year. There is no need for air-conditioning, even during the hottest of summer weather, and only a wood-burning stove or open fire is required in the sitting-room during the winter months. Municipal taxes are low as is the the cost of general maintenance. Cave houses are all different, quirky and full of character and charm. They are generally hand hewn historic dwellings which have grown and developed over the years, having been modified to suit the needs of successive generations of previous owners. Cave houses in the Altiplano de Granada are situated in an ancient and fascinating region full of historic sites, attractive villages, natural parks and mountains. This area is also often referred to as the "Spanish Lake District". It is a great place to live or take a break. There is an expanding interest in rural tourism in the area giving cave owners the opportunity to rent out their properties to holiday-makers.

Real-estate agents tell me that, despite the current recession, interest in these unusual properties has not declined. The number of hits on their websites is practically undiminished. They feel that when the British pound grows stronger once more against the euro then cave houses will start selling fast - and prices will inevitably rise. There has never been a better time to buy.

Cave Houses in the Altiplano De Granada - 5 Great Reasons to Buy a Cave in Spain

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Two Major Reasons to Avoid ALA and Omega-6 in Flax Seed Oil

There seems to be a lot of controversy about which oil is the best--flax seed oil, or fish oil. Are we talking about apples and oranges? Perhaps there is no best one, and each has its own virtues. Many experts are suggesting that flax oils are just bad for you. Are they biased, or are there real medical problems associated with seed and vegetable oils?

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There may be some problems with taking an ALA supplement like flax seed oil, so let's look at the basics.

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Flax seed oil is not all bad for you. There are a lot of great things in flax seed oil, including ALA, which is an omega-3 fatty acid. Although considered by many not to be an "essential" fatty acid, like EPA or DHA, ALA is highly sought after because the body does have dedicated uses for this fat.

For example, ALA is actually used to create small amounts of EPA and DHA, the acids that you're going to find in fish oil supplements. For many, this process seems like a secret shortcut, but this process causes the level of enzymes in your cells to become imbalanced, due to competition and interaction between the three fatty acids. ALA may be good for someone absolutely starved of omega-3, but for most of us, there's no need to take a flax seed supplement.

Also, many kinds of seeds contain omega-6 fatty acids, which you want to avoid. I am always astonished to see that there are actually supplements on American grocery store shelves which contain omega-6 fatty acids. Only someone with an extreme lack of vegetable and seed oils in their diet, like someone who never eats bread, would seek omega-6 fatty acids.

Omega-6 is in all kinds of vegetable oils, salad dressings, and carbohydrate-rich foods containing vegetable and seed oils. While Americans don't eat nearly enough fatty fish, they generally get plenty of omega-6 rich foods, and have no need for more in their diet.

Why Not Both?

Many people ask what's wrong with taking ALA as well as fish oil. ALA also uses an unnecessary amount of cellular energy, in order to yield the same benefits as EPA and DHA. So, there is no reason to take extra seed oil supplements.

If you're eating fatty fish everyday, your bases are covered--at least as long as you're sure that your dietary fish contain the balance of EPA and DHA most beneficial to the brain and cardiovascular system. To find this out, treat the fish like medicine bottles, and do plenty of research. Arctic char and salmon are high in these essential fats, but salmon is a relatively toxic source. Making these distinctions is only possible with a commitment to quality products.

Two Major Reasons to Avoid ALA and Omega-6 in Flax Seed Oil

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Omega 3 Supplements - Good Reasons to Take it Everyday

Did you know omega 3 supplements provide nutrients that were, at one time, present in the food chain, in substantial amounts? Modern farming practices, such as the shift to feeding corn to cattle and poultry, has made them harder to find.

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Plant foods, such as flaxseed and canola oils, contain only one type of the long-chained polyunsaturated fat. It is called alpha-linolenic acid or ALA and is found in olives, walnuts and some other sources. Animal fat may contain ALA, depending on what they eat.

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Some kinds of fish and seafood contain unique polyunsaturated fats called Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. Regular intake of DHA and EPA has been associated with a variety of health benefits. The same cannot be said of ALA.

Knowing that strict vegans and vegetarians are opposed to the consumption of fish, supplement manufacturers searched for an alternative. They found that some types of marine algae contain DHA, but not EPA.

Some kinds of seaweed or kelp, in particular wakame, contain EPA, but the concentration is very low. So, it would require the consumption large amounts of kelp in order to get a significant amount of EPA through dietary intake, alone.

So, the first thing that you need to be sure of when shopping for omega 3 supplements is the source. If the source is fish oil, then you are getting DHA and EPA. The content varies.

To insure that you are getting enough to experience the health benefits, you will need to read the label. If the milligrams of DHA and EPA are not listed, simply choose another brand. There are dozens to choose from.

If the source is flaxseed, you are only getting ALA. Remember that no health benefits have been associated with increased intake of ALA. If you are a vegan, you can look for omega 3 supplements derived from marine algae, in order to get DHA. Again, it is necessary to read the label. Some marine algae supplements provide different nutrients; still considered good for your health, but not because of the DHA content.

Other important factors to consider when evaluating the brands on the market have to do with purity and freshness. The manufacturers can and should have the oils tested for peroxide and other free radicals that form with the oils become oxidized or spoiled. Once encapsulated, no further spoilage occurs. Consumption of rancid oils will negate any of the health benefits associated with omega 3 supplements.

The benefits noted in scientific studies include a reduced risk of heart disease, a reduced risk of certain kinds of cancer, an improvement in depressive disorders and anxiety issues, better joint function, stronger immune systems and better eye health. There are even some benefits to the reproductive system. Some fertility clinics are recommending supplementation as the first line of treatment for men with low sperm counts or motility.

So, there are plenty of good reasons to take omega 3 supplements every day. We just need to be picky about the ones that we buy.

Omega 3 Supplements - Good Reasons to Take it Everyday

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