Oil

SYMPHONY OF OILS

by Leslie Back

There is a whole spectrum of oil; Cod-Liver, Grape Seed, Salmon, Avocado, Linseed (flaxseed) and Sesame oil. How should we be using these and are we making the optimum choice? Leslie Back points us in the right direction in her valuable two part series!

Here is the low-down on the first three of six of the best besides olive oil. (See Leslie Back's article on Olive oil in To The Point.)

PART ONE

Definitions and info to guide you through a maze of acids and acronyms to the finishing line!

OMEGA 3 - A fat essential to good health, found in Fish oil and a few other foods such as Flaxseed (Linseed) and walnuts.

The two active ingredients in Omega 3 Fish oil are - E.P.A. & D.H.A.

These acids are vital nutrients that are important at different stages of our lives.
D.H.A. is thought to constitute ‘building blocks’ of the brain, forming 8% of the brain by weight.

It is important for pregnant mothers to ensure an adequate supply during pregnancy. It is equally important to note here that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take any fish oil supplements without consulting their doctors. (See below - Cod Liver Oil.)

D.H.A. is also added to some infant milk formulas. An infant requires a lot of D.H.A. in the first 2 years of life to support the growth of the brain. It may also reduce the risk of the baby developing Type 1 Diabetes.

Some leading doctors and professors in the U.K. now consider E.P.A. as a vital nutrient in the functioning of the brain and in nerve stimulation

Controlled tests have shown E.P.A. can help in the treatment of depression and schizophrenia.

A.L.A. Alpha Linolenic Acid

This is an Omega 3 fatty acid. To a limited extent the body turns A.L.A. into E.P.A. and more slowly into D.H.A.

CHOLESTEROL & TRIGLYCERIDES

These are the major fats that circulate in the arterial system. Cholesterol is the yellowish substance in your arteries that narrows the blood vessels. There is Good cholesterol and Bad Cholesterol.

Good Cholesterol is known as H.D.L. (High Density Lipoprotein)
Bad Cholesterol is known as L.D.L. (Low Density Lipoprotein)
L.D.L. is responsible for clogging your blood vessels.
H.D.L. helps to send the L.D.L. to the liver where L.D.L. is destroyed.
Both Cholesterol and Triglycerides will respond to the same treatment that lowers elevated levels.

TRANS FATTY ACIDS - A fatty acid molecule connected to hydrogen. People eat this in the form of meat and dairy products.

SATURATED FATTY ACIDS -

They are found mostly in butter, cheese and fatty meat. Some vegetable oils (coconut and palm) also contain saturated fat.

Saturated fats do have health benefits and play many important roles in the body. Moderation is the key.

MONOUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS are liquid at room temperature. They seem to lower bad cholesterol when substituted for saturated fat.

TRANS FATTY ACIDS are considered harmful, as some researchers believe that they raise L.D.L. and lower good cholesterol H.D.L.

They are found in fried and processed foods.

ANTIOXIDANTS

In the body, scientists believe that antioxidants may contribute to reducing cancer and heart disease. Vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidants.

COD LIVER OIL Little exposure to sunlight? Cod liver oil is an ideal supplement!

‘A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down,’ warbled Mary Poppins, everyone’s favourite nanny in the movie of the same name. Many will remember the awful taste of cod liver oil from decades ago. It was rancid and tasted terrible because it was improperly processed. Now this marvellous golden oil is pleasantly flavoured and properly processed.

Cod liver oil is one of the most effective providers of Omega 3 fatty acids. E.P.A., D.H.A. (see glossary of terms) and an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin D. This fabulous combination of acids and vitamins is essential for fighting physical and mental illness.

Omega 3 helps prevent and fight heart disease, cancer, depression, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, ulcers, diabetes, hyperactivity and other diseases. Omega 3 increases your ability to concentrate as well as your energy level.

In the piece on Linseed (Flaxseed) Oil, I will discuss their merits as a good source of Omega 3.

The difference between cod liver oil and fish oil liquid is that cod liver oil contains the natural vitamins A and D and can be considered a fish oil plus.

Cod liver oil is most famous for contributing to bone health, preventing and reversing rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults.

It used to be given religiously to children everyday as a source of vitamins A and D. It was given to children in Britain during World War 2.

Sunshine produces high and usually sufficient levels of vitamin D. It is therefore not necessary to take a cod liver oil supplement in the summer. However, in countries with long dark winters and consequently little exposure to sunlight, cod liver oil is an ideal supplement because of its good vitamin D properties.

Vitamin A has been part of every alternative cancer therapy so far.

TAKE CARE

1) It should be remembered that unfortunately fish of all varieties, from any waters, naturally caught or farm raised are showing high levels of the highly toxic, tasteless metal, Mercury. Mercury is water-soluble, so is present in the flesh of fish not in the oil. Cod liver oil is therefore a good replacement.

2) Whilst it has been demonstrated that there are many benefits for pregnant women from cod liver oil consumption, including reducing high blood pressure, easing post natal depression and helping to avoid premature birth, it is not advisable for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to take any supplement without first consulting their doctors.

Q & A

How is Cod liver oil made?
Cod Liver Oil is made by cooking cod livers with steam and then pressing/decanting the cooked livers to extract the oil.

In what form can one take cod liver oil?
In the case of small children, adding a small amount of water or fresh juice may help. For babies use an eyedropper. If this does not work for you and you cannot take it on a spoon, use the cod liver oil capsules.

Can you cook with cod liver oil?
Cod liver oil is not used for cooking. It can be taken orally by spoon or by taking a cod liver oil supplement in the form of a capsule. It can also be used topically to soothe irritated skin and nappy rash.

What do I need to know about buying and storage of cod liver oil?
Cod liver oil should not be bought in large economy sizes, but in small preferably dark bottles. It should be kept in a cool place. It need not be refrigerated after opening if it used up quickly.

REMEMBER: There is hardly a disease in the book that does not respond to treatment that includes Cod Liver Oil.

SALMON OIL Moderation is the key.

Omega 3 oils have been called ‘the miracle food of the 21st Century.’

Salmon oil contains Omega 3 fatty acids – an excellent source to boost up HDL in your blood. The Omega 3 fatty acids in salmon oil are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can only be supplied by food sources.

Salmon oil is rich in Omega 3 essential fatty acids E.P.A. and D.H.A. (Check the glossary of terms at the beginning of ‘Symphony of 6 Oils’, for definitions.)

These acids are important in the regulation of blood pressure, reproductive health, muscle contraction, blood clotting and inflammation. (See the article on Cod Liver oil for the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids.)

In brief, they are recommended for the treatment of:
Cardiovascular disease, Hypertension, Arthritis and Asthma.
Fish oils may offer protection against some forms of cancer.
Brain development and memory function is improved from conception to old age.

When taking salmon and salmon oil... MODERATION IS THE KEY.

Include salmon (or fish with high omega 3 content such as sardines and tuna) to meals occasionally. Salmon oil is taken in capsule form. N.B. Check with your doctor before consuming these capsules, as a single capsule maybe more concentrated in Omega 3 fatty acids than 1 serving of salmon.

** CAUTION ALERT ** DO NOT TAKE SALMON OIL SUPPLEMENTS IF YOU ARE TAKING A BLOOD THINNER DRUG AS SALMON OIL SUPPLEMENTS MAY FURTHER THIN YOUR BLOOD.

Fish oil supplements such as salmon oil are given to certain groups of patients with heart disease such as those needing to lower TRIGLYCERIDES & BAD CHOLESTEROL.

Both cholesterol and triglycerides will respond to the same treatment that lowers elevated levels. (See glossary of terms.)

Some useful info.

Salmon oil capsules are taken by mouth and must be taken as directed.
Omega 3 is perfectly safe for children.
Pets can also be treated to certain Omega 3 fatty acids in salmon oil. A veterinarian will advise you about what your pet needs.

Side effects: It should be mentioned that certain side effects might occur when taking salmon oil They are: A fishy taste, stomach gas (belching), nausea and diarrhoea.

Used sensibly and carefully, Salmon oil is a miracle food helping our bodies and minds to adjust to the rigours of life and health in the 21st century.

FLAXSEED OIL aka LINSEED OIL

Flaxseed Oil or Linseed Oil as it is known in some countries is extracted from the seed of flax. Flax is a blue-flowered plant cultivated for its seed.

Linseed oil is a yellowish, drying oil obtained from the ripe flax seed by pressing, followed by an optional stage of solvent extraction.

Cold pressed oil obtained without solvent extraction is marketed as Flaxseed oil.

Flaxseed oil, a vegetable oil, is a good source of dietary fibre, Omega 3 fatty acids and lignans. (A lignan is a chemical compound found in plants and is not an essential nutrient.) They are being studied for possible use in cancer protection. Preliminary tests suggest that lignans may be helpful in lowering bad cholesterol. The flaxseed itself is higher in lignans than the Flaxseed oil, which does not contain an appreciable amount.

The similarity between fish oil and Flaxseed oil is the Omega 3 fatty acid content.

Fish oil contains Omega 3 fatty acids D.H.A. and E.P.A.

Flaxseed oil is rich in A.L.A. – Alpha Linoleic Acid that the body converts quickly into D.H.A. and more slowly into E.P.A. (See Glossary of Terms.) N.B.: Flaxseed oil does not have all the benefits of fish oil and is not a replacement for fish oil.

As it is not advisable to consume very large amounts of fish and fish oil, an additional way to increase Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet would be to use freshly ground flax seeds. A simple inexpensive coffee grinder would do the trick.

Fish oil has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory activity. Flaxseed oil does not. Fish oils are beneficial for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Flaxseed oil is not.

Flaxseed oil does not help people with elevated triglycerides, but it may help lower cholesterol and may also lower blood pressure.

Flaxseed oil can help in promoting bowel regularity. A doctor should be consulted whenever fibre supplementation is considered.

** CAUTION ALERT ** THE CONSUMPTION OF FLAXSEED OIL IS CONTRA-INDICATED FOR MEN WITH ENLARGED PROSTATE.

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should avoid the high intake of flaxseed or purified lignans. There is a concern that the high intake of lignans may not be safe for women with a history of estrogen – sensitive cancer such as breast cancer or uterine cancer. Your doctor should be consulted before consuming large amounts of flaxseed.

Q&A

How do I store Flaxseed oil?
It should be stored in an opaque, airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

Is Flaxseed oil suitable for cooking?
No, it is not. However, unlike fish oil, it can be used in salads.

Can Flaxseed oil go rancid?
Yes, it can. If it has a noticeable odour, it is probably rancid and should be discarded.

Boiled Linseed Oil

This is used as a paint binder or as a wood finish. Heating the oil makes it oxidise more readily, effectively shortening the drying time. Today most products labelled as ‘ boiled linseed oil’ are a combination of raw linseed oil, petroleum-based solvent and metallic dryers. BOILED LINSEED OIL IS INEDIBLE.

*** VEGETARIAN ALERT *** Flaxseed oil is a brilliant vegetarian alternative to fish oil in your search for Omega 3 fatty acids.
Also an alternative for anyone that is just tired of fish oil but not tired of Omega 3.

See Part Two

Photography By Franz Lauinger

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