Question for Frosty about Flax/Fish/Cod oil

[Shockrock3]

Bro I found your post on this very interesting. I guess my question is...how about an "Oil Blend" i.e. from Udo Erasmus @ udoerasmus.com that contains not just Flax but other "seeds"?? Is Fish/Cod Liver Oil that much superior to the claims listed below? I'm just curious as to your thoughts. Thanks bro.

Increase energy, performance, and stamina. EFAs enhance thermogenesis, help build muscle, prevent muscle break down, and speed recovery from fatigue;

Strengthen the immune system. EFAs make hormone-like eicosanoids that regulate immune and inflammatory responses. N-3s have anti-inflammatory effects and can slow autoimmune damage;

Lower most risk factors for cardiovascular disease. EFAs (especially n3s) lower abnormally high levels of blood pressure, triglycerides, Lp(a), fibrinogen, tendency to clot formation, and inflammation;

Improve brain function: mood, intelligence , behavior, and vision. Our brain is over 60% fat. EFAs are important components of the entire nervous system. They are necessary to make the neurotransmitter serotonin. Depression and other brain diseases show decreased levels of n-3;

Aid in weight reduction. EFAs help keep mood and energy up and suppress appetite, thereby aiding in weight loss. More recently, they have been found to block the genes that produce fat in the body (saturated and Trans Fat do not have this same effect) and increase thermogenesis;

Regulate organs and glands. Liver and kidneys, adrenal and thyroid glands, and the production of male and female hormones need EFAs;

Speed recovery and healing. EFAs are necessary for cell growth and division. They form all cell membranes and regulate vital cell activity;

Support healthy child development. For nervous system development, a growing fetus needs optimum EFAs from the mother's body. Mothers become depleted of EFAs during pregnancy, and need optimal EFA intake for their health and their children's optimum development;

Improve digestion. Poorly digested foods tie up the immune system and can cause gut inflammation, leaky gut, and allergies. N-3s improve gut integrity, and decrease inflammation and "leaky gut";

Decrease infection. EFAs have anti-fungal, anti-yeast, and anti-microbial properties, helping to protect against infections;

Keep bones strong. EFAs aid in the transport of minerals that keep bones and teeth strong, helping to prevent osteoporosis;

Protect genetic material. EFAs regulate gene expression, and n-3s inhibit tumor growth;

Ease PMS. Studies indicate that n-6 (GLA) intake was voted, by women, among the top three most effective PMS treatments. N-3s may be even more effective;

Produce beautiful skin, hair, and nails. Some of the first signs of EFA deficiency are dry, flaky skin, dull hair, and brittle nails. N-3s can help skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Also, GLA (n-6 derivative) administration is useful for some patients with atopic eczema.


Shock

 

[Shockrock3]

Hey Shockrock,

Yes, I sorta skimmed over all the given benefits of EFAs, and from what I saw that looks to be true. But please keep in mind that these are not huge dramatic effects. There are no "magic" dietary supplements. Not to mention the degree of improvements is based on the level of your deficiency. If your diet sucks ass, then you should see more improvements over someone that has an excellent diet.

The Udo's oil is still completely plant-based, so it has zero EPA or DHA. Those are important for brain function, and I just don't see a reason to chance it if your body isn't very able to convert other fats to EPA and DHA. This is something very much like the whole betacarotene=vitamin A thing. The thing is, your body CAN convert betacarotene to vitamin A, but it, too, is an inefficient conversion...something like 6:1. And again, this is only if your body is in tip top shape! Not something many people can claim. So in reality, you shouldn't try to rely on plant products to get your vitamin A because you very well might be making the coversion very poorly, which could lead to deficiency. Not good for a sedentary individual and even worse for an athelete or bodybuilder.

I'm also not a big fan of taking large amounts of "unatural" oils. Please let me explain. There is no chance in hell that humans have ever, throughout their entire evolution to our current state, consumed such a large amount of these polyunsaturated oils from such odd sources (hemp oil is an odd source!). I have no clue what these oils will actually do to the body, but this one is up to you if you're at all concerned with it. I think in short-term theraputic doses it could be beneficial, but I would never recommend it for long-term use. Humans have evolved while eating fish for sure, but they didn't evolve while eating hemp.

Now if you want to compare cod liver oil to Udo's oil, I will simplify it down to two simple things:

-Cod liver oil is better because it is a concentrated source of EPA and DHA, Udo's has zero EPA and DHA.

-Cod liver oil is better because it contains concentrated vitamins A and D. These nutrients are important for growth and health and are NOTORIOUSLY defficient in bodybuilding diets. Why is it deficient? Excellent sources for vitamin A include liver, real butter, and egg yolks, and good sources of vitamin D include REAL milk (not the junk you buy at the store), butter, real lard, etc. So if you don't eat those foods, then cod liver oil is an excellent supplement. It's cheaper than fish oil, too!

Let me throw in a couple more things about this type of oil supplementation. Polyunsaturated oils such as fish oil, cod liver oil, Udo's oil, etc...they are very sensitive to oxidation. That is why they come in dark bottles that are usually nitrogen sealed. If oxidized, the fat becomes "rancid" and it's not good for you, plus it will taste bad. High levels of polyunsaturated fat intake increase free radical activity in the body, so I recommend taking SOME type of antioxidant with your oils. Now, vitamin A has antioxidant properties, so cod liver oil is a bit ahead of the pack on this one. Often times you'll see vitamin E added to the oils to help protect them as well. Vitamin C, E, grape seed extract, ALA, green tea, etc would all be smart to take with the oil to help protect it. No it won't kill you to take the oil by itself, but it's a good idea to take your anti-oxidant supplement when you take your oils.

Also, another thing people seem to miss out on is that saturated fat is required to utilize EFAs found in these oils. This may sound rediculous, but having some butter or coconut oil with your oils would be a good idea. It also seems to help protect the oil to some degree.

So in short, I still think cod liver oil is king, followed by fish oil, followed by all the rest.

Again, great post bro. You sold me, lol. I will try the cod liver oil even though the Oil Blend has been so good to me for years and years. Now does the Cod Liver Oil have to be refrigerated constantly like the Udo's Choice i.e. should it be in the supplement store fridge when you buy it like Udo's is? Thanks a bunch.

Shock