ALA belongs to the omega-3 fatty acids group. Other compounds that are grouped as the omega-3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA are mainly found in fish while ALA is contained in flaxseed oil (along with some other vegetable oils).

It has been found that optimum health requires an approximate ratio of around 1:2 between omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. It has been estimated that a typical western diet typically contains about 14 times more omega-6 than omega-3. The incorrect balance of these essential fatty acids may add to the development of disease. Omega-6 fatty acids tend to add to inflammation whereas omega-3 acids have anti-inflammatory properties (hence beneficial impact on arthritis). The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in flaxseed is around 4:1 so daily consumption of flaxseed oil can address the typical dietary imbalance.

Research studies have indicated that there may be many potential benefits of including some flaxseed in your diet

For example, Flaxseed may
- Reduce cholesterol level, provide some protection against heart disease and assist in controlling high blood pressure. Preliminary research has indicated that flaxseed oil may have a protective effect against angina.

- Offset inflammatory conditions such as gout and lupus. Studies may indicate that omega-3 fatty acids appear to reduce some inflammatory reaction associated with these conditions.

- Reduce cancer risk. The lignans in flaxseed may have a role to in protecting against breast, prostate and colon. However research is mixed in this respect and there are some studies that indicate ALA may actually increase prostate cancer risk.

One study undertaken by the National Cancer Institute, the Harvard Medical School, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm found no relationship between ALA intake and the overall prostate cancer risk. However they noticed a strong correlation between a high ALA intake and the incidence of advanced prostate cancer. Men who had an ALA intake greater than about 1.3 grams/day were found to be twice as likely to develop advanced prostate cancer when compared with men who's intake was less than 0.8 grams/day. The research indicated that the risk was marginal greater for ALA from non-animal sources than for ALA from dairy and meat..

Flaxseed oil supplements can be available in both liquid and capsule forms. As is the case for any oil, flaxseed oil can turn rancid over time. Flaxseed oil requires particular packaging because it is affected by heat, light, and oxygen. It is noted that the best flaxseed products are manufactured using freshly pressed seeds and are bottled in dark jars. It is important to purchase flaxseed oil from companies who can verify that their products do not contain heavy metals.

If your preference is to use the seeds then they will need to be ground as otherwise they will pass through the body without any of the fatty acids being digested.