So, what is the specific research in relation to flax oil vs fish oil?

In one recent study of 14 controlled clinical trials, researchers at Emory University found that the fish oil omega 3 studies showed a significant reduction in deaths from coronary heart disease and total mortality - from any cause.

These fish oil studies were based on dietary fish consumption and fish oil supplements as the source of omega 3 fish oil.

On the other hand, studies based on flax oil and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega 3 oil from plants that doesn't contain the DHA and EPA factors found in cold water fatty fish, were found to be less reliable and did not show the same health benefits.

The plant based ALA trials used flax oil supplements and ALA enriched diets, including walnut, soybean and flax seed oil.

The lead Emory University researchers, C. R. Harper and T. A. Jacobson, reviewed the omega 3 clinical trial studies by dividing them into categories. There were plant based omega 3 studies using only ALA (mainly flax oil) and studies on dietary consumption of omega 3 fish oil with DHA (docsahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).

Of the 14 studies, eight were conducted on flax oil and other ALA sources and six were based on fish oil. The fish oil research included one very large study of over 10,000 participants published in the American Journal of Cardiology. [ Vol. 96, December 2005, pp. 1521-29]

Dr. Harper and Dr. Jacobson concluded that the data on ALA and flax oil was very limited and showed NO significant heart health benefits. Whereas fish oil with DHA and EPA demonstrated a significant reduction in coronary heart disease fatality, sudden death and total mortality.

Several of the studies found that omega 3 fish oil with DHA and EPA fatty acids reduced heart attack risk by benefiting the blood vessel wall cells, lowering the risk of thrombosis and blood clotting and by reducing inflammation.

Other research, published in Circulation, the official journal of the American Heart Association, gives a thorough rundown on how omega 3 fatty acids from fish improves heart health and why fish oil works so well for the cardiovascular system in numerous ways.

This study shows that fish oil fatty acids help by lowering cholesterol, preventing irregular heartbeat, reducing blood clots, decreasing blood pressure, lowering triglycerides, balancing HDL and LDL, relaxing arterial walls and preventing the formation of new plaque, inflammation, vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation and more. [Vol. 106:2747]

Based on these successful studies, the American Heart Association suggests that everyone increase their consumption of DHA and EPA rich fish and fish oil supplements to a daily dose of at least 1 gram. For optimum health, those with coronary heart disease might consider taking more.

When it comes to flax oil vs fish oil for heart health, the fish wins, fins down!