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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tensor on November 10, 2003, at 4:08:21
Hi all,
i bought a bottle of capsules today containing omega-3, -6 and -9 extracted from lin oil. Is there a difference between this and those found in fish oil?
Thanks,
/tensor
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 10, 2003, at 6:28:38
In reply to Differences in omega-3?, posted by tensor on November 10, 2003, at 4:08:21
> Hi all,
>
> i bought a bottle of capsules today containing omega-3, -6 and -9 extracted from lin oil. Is there a difference between this and those found in fish oil?
>
> Thanks,
> /tensorYes, there is a substantial difference. They are not equivalent, from a health perspective. If you're looking to get the effects of taking fish oil, you're not going to get the same effect from flax oil. I'm not saying there is no benefit from flax oil, but it's not fish oil.
The omega-3 fatty acid in flax oil is alpha-linolenic acid (ALNA), which is 18 carbons long, and three times desaturated. To form docosahexaenoic acid (the longer of the two omega-3 that people take fish oil to obtain) from that requires five different enzymatic processes; two elongations (two carbons at a time), and three desaturations, to obtain the twenty-two carbon, six times desaturated DHA. The process of conversion of ALNA to DHA is very inefficient, and may be close to zero in males.
For more details, see an earlier post of mine:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030828/msgs/256147.htmlLar
Posted by tensor on November 10, 2003, at 8:15:16
In reply to Re: Differences in omega-3? » tensor, posted by Larry Hoover on November 10, 2003, at 6:28:38
Posted by Jai on November 21, 2003, at 13:38:47
In reply to Re: Differences in omega-3? » tensor, posted by Larry Hoover on November 10, 2003, at 6:28:38
> The omega-3 fatty acid in flax oil is alpha-linolenic acid (ALNA), which is 18 carbons long, and three times desaturated. To form docosahexaenoic acid (the longer of the two omega-3 that people take fish oil to obtain) from that requires five different enzymatic processes; two elongations (two carbons at a time), and three desaturations, to obtain the twenty-two carbon, six times desaturated DHA. The process of conversion of ALNA to DHA is very inefficient, and may be close to zero in males.
Wow, Lar how do you know this stuff? Are you a professional scientist? Molecular biologist?
the funny thing about your information is that it is easy to follow and understand from a lay persons (mine) point of view. How do you do it? Jai
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 21, 2003, at 16:15:50
In reply to what is your background?, posted by Jai on November 21, 2003, at 13:38:47
> > The omega-3 fatty acid in flax oil is alpha-linolenic acid (ALNA), which is 18 carbons long, and three times desaturated. To form docosahexaenoic acid (the longer of the two omega-3 that people take fish oil to obtain) from that requires five different enzymatic processes; two elongations (two carbons at a time), and three desaturations, to obtain the twenty-two carbon, six times desaturated DHA. The process of conversion of ALNA to DHA is very inefficient, and may be close to zero in males.
>
> Wow, Lar how do you know this stuff?I'm a geek.
> Are you a professional scientist?
Well, I used to be.
> Molecular biologist?
Environmental toxicologist.
> the funny thing about your information is that it is easy to follow and understand from a lay persons (mine) point of view. How do you do it? Jai
I've always been a teacher... I was tutoring my peers when I was in grade three....
I taught university level courses, but never quite made it to professor status.....before I crashed and burned.
Lar
Posted by Jai on November 21, 2003, at 17:26:26
In reply to Re: what is your background? » Jai, posted by Larry Hoover on November 21, 2003, at 16:15:50
> > Molecular biologist?
>
> Environmental toxicologist.
>
Wow, that's even more incredible than I thought !
.....before I crashed and burned.
> LarAlright I have to know...what happened? What crash and burn happened to you?
You seem so kind and considerate to everyone who posts, so you must have this_____ under control... Just so you know my family is filled with brilliant people caught up in very difficult emotional/ psychological problems. You are the best to be so honest and clear. Jai
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 22, 2003, at 7:23:12
In reply to Oh, Lar, what a complicated life we lead, posted by Jai on November 21, 2003, at 17:26:26
> > > Molecular biologist?
> >
> > Environmental toxicologist.
> >
> Wow, that's even more incredible than I thought !Why so?
> .....before I crashed and burned.
> > Lar
>
> Alright I have to know...what happened? What crash and burn happened to you?Classic nervous breakdown. In a relatively brief period of time, I lost my academic world, my home, my life savings, my wife and kids, my health, my dad was near death, my eldest son was being investigated for a brain tumour (turned out to be migraines)....a tad too much stress.
> You seem so kind and considerate to everyone who posts, so you must have this_____ under control...
Thank you. I manage, but I'm not well, ya know?
> Just so you know my family is filled with brilliant people caught up in very difficult emotional/ psychological problems. You are the best to be so honest and clear. Jai
Keeping secrets is just too much work.
Thanks.
Lar
Posted by Jai on November 22, 2003, at 8:06:58
In reply to Re: Oh, Lar, what a complicated life we lead » Jai, posted by Larry Hoover on November 22, 2003, at 7:23:12
> > > Environmental toxicologist.
> > >
> > Wow, that's even more incredible than I thought !
>
> Why so?In my observation the marriage of a scientist and the environment is sweet. That you had choosen that direction shows your generosity that continues today.
> >
> Classic nervous breakdown. In a relatively brief period of time, I lost my academic world, my home, my life savings, my wife and kids, my health, my dad was near death, my eldest son was being investigated for a brain tumour (turned out to be migraines)....a tad too much stress.
>
>
You definitely had much too much on your plate.
My partner's mental breakdown began with his 2 1/2 year old son's untimely death. Sometimes these life experiences precipitate a breakdown sometimes they accompany a breakdown that was coming anyway. My mothers family of 7 children there were only 4 that made it to old age. Of the 3 who died much too young, one (he was the oldest) was a celebrated brilliant doctor and in his thirties became Bipolar and took his own life. Of the 4 that lived: 2 were alcoholics 2 bipolar. The two Bipolars were in my life since my birth. My mom and her brother. I have never liked anything but the truth. The truth is sometimes hard for people to take when it's so painful to hear. I was very careful not to burden others with my life struggles. Sometimes it was just too much and spilled over out of my control, I just could not contain it. People weren't all that exicted to hear about mental breakdowns: really they cringed and turned away. I am not afraid to hear about mental illness or look directly at what it's all about. I have my theories about mental illnesses. Sometimes I wished I had become a doctor....I had the impression way back in the 1950's that it had something to do with diet and chemicals.
> You seem so kind and considerate to everyone who posts, so you must have this_____ under control...
>
My mother was not kind or considerate within her life & illnesses. So I appreicate kindness when I see it.
> Thank you. I manage, but I'm not well, ya know?
I guessed you might be having a hard time but when you chat on these babble topics you appear so healthy... Honestly I don't know how you are not well? If you care to share I would love to hear. I hope I am not being too much. I am totally sincere. Thanks Lar, for being so up front with me. You don't have to answer my questions if you don't want to. I will totally accept what ever you want to do.
Jai
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 22, 2003, at 13:59:50
In reply to thank you, Lar, posted by Jai on November 22, 2003, at 8:06:58
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20031113/msgs/282544.html
This is the end of the thread.
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