Choosing the right Omega 3 oil

There are many different kinds of Omega 3 oils to choose from nowadays. In this video, I run through several of your choices.

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Which is better - flax or fish?

(This is an article from my principal supplier of flax seed oil: Waihi Bush of Geraldine in the South Island)

We are often asked this question by consumers as fish oil companies confuse the issue by directly comparing flax and fish oils.

Their argument is that fish oils directly deliver the long chain Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, whereas the Omega-3s in flax seed oil need to undergo conversion in the body to the long-chain Omega-3s

However, a number of points are being missed with this argument...

It assumes that the Omega-3 essential fatty acid in flax seed oil, alpha linoleic acid (ALA), does not have functions of its own in the body. We know, however, that as well as being converted to the longer chain Omega-3s ALA is also important for energy production and as a structural element in healthy cell membranes.

Waihi Bush organic farm have developed two unique oil blends that address the issue that conversion to long-chain Omega-3s may be inefficient in some individuals. Our unique flax boost and flax magic blends contain blackcurrant seed oil, which contains the secondary Omega-3 stearidonic acid. This by-passes the first step in the conversion process.

Flax seed oil contains Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids too - making it a more balanced source of essential fatty acids than fish oil. Our unique flax boost and flax magic blends also contain the secondary Omega-6 gamma linolenic acid, providing a very broad fatty acid profile.

Both blackcurrant seed oil and fish contain secondary Omega-3's, which means the body does not need to make the conversion from primary to secondary Omega-3. Blackcurrant seed oil also has secondary Omega-6 as does borage seed oil. These ingredients are found in our flax boost and flax magic products.

Our flax is grown organically, is free of pesticides and other toxins so no concerns about contamination with dioxins, PCBs or heavy metals

• Flax is a sustainably farmed and depletes no resources


• Flax seed oil is a vegetarian source of Omega-3


• Flax seed oil is less fragile than fish oils, which oxidize extremely readily.


• Furthermore, we handle our products with special care to protect their integrity

The flax seed used to create our products is grown here in New Zealand and all manufacturing is done in New Zealand too

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How to use our cold pressed flax seed oils

View this video about the health benefits of flax oil products:


View this video for advice about which Waihi Bush flax oil blend is best for you:

Highly recommended uses for

Waihi Bush Flax seed oils

OUR FAVOURITE – Mixed with yoghurt, plain or flavoured but ideally acidophilus. Add fruit or a spoonful of your favourite jam.

ON FOOD -
· on muesli, cereal or porridge; top with yoghurt.
· in soups and casseroles after serving.
· on stir fry vegetables after serving
· on potatoes instead of butter. Top with cottage cheese or sour cream.

BLENDER CREATIONS -
· Basic Smoothie - Banana, yoghurt, milk or juice, 15-30mls Waihi Bush oil
Add any of the following to taste
· fresh fruit, honey, maple syrup or jam
· muesli, freshly ground nuts, or seeds, spirulina, or barleygreens

SPREADABLE BUTTER - soften 125g butter, place in a food processor and slowly add 65ml of Waihi Bush Oil until thoroughly mixed. Store in a light proof container in the refrigerator. Ideal for making healthy sandwiches. Do not, however, cook with this butter.

STRAIGHT FROM THE BOTTLE - by the spoonful, and followed with raisins or nuts or juice to clear the palate.

SALAD DRESSINGS and DIPS

Creamy Italian

• Add cider vinegar and Italian herbs (basil, oregano) to taste.
• A delicious dressing on crisp greens or as a dip for raw vegetables.

Thousand Island

• Add a little lemon juice and tomato juice, chopped hard boiled egg and dill pickle.
• Honey to taste.

Green Goddess

• Mince cucumbers, spinach leaves and a little parsley (or other herbs).
• Blend into the Oil-Protein mix and season with dill.

Poppyseed Sweet & Sour

• Add honey for the sweet and lemon juice for the sour.
• Spark with a little Dijon mustard and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
• Wonderful on both fresh fruit salad and the traditional green salad.

Russian

• Add honey (sweet), lemon juice (sour) and tomato juice to taste.
• Hot Stuff - Add cayenne pepper, minced chilli peppers, diced red bell pepper and onion and blend well.
• Refrigerate for an hour to bring out the flavours and use as a dip for crisp raw vegetables.

MAYONAISE -

1. Prepare the following oil mix:
· 120ml (half cup) Waihi Bush Flax Original or Flax Boost
· -120ml cold pressed oil (olive oil, fresh sunflower, safflower or canola) or 240mls (1 cup) Flax Balance
2. Break an egg into blender then add
-30 ml lemon juice or vinegar
-dash of mustard (dry or prepared)
-dash of cayenne or white pepper
-60 ml of oil mix
3. Blend at low speed JUST until it begins to thicken
4. Immediately add remaining 180 ml of oil in a steady stream,

*Note: Vegans may use tahini or sundried tomatoes instead of egg

Sundried Tomato Mayonnaise

1 cup Waihi Bush Cold Pressed Flax Original or Waihi Bush Balance
1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup total of vinegar- try mixing different types
½ to 1 cup of sundried tomatoes
Approx. 1 tsp each, or to taste
try Basil and Oregano
Salt & Pepper to taste
Blend tomatoes into a smoothish paste. Add seasonings and vinegar, then drizzle the oil in fairly fast. If the end result is too thick then add more oil and vinegar (or just water). If too thin, add a little tahini or an egg yolk.

Sesame-Herb Mayonnaise

1 cup Waihi Bush Cold Pressed Flax Original or Waihi Bush Balance
1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup total of vinegar- try mixing different types
Approx. 2 Tbsp tahini - unhulled is better
Approx. 1 tsp each of herbs, or to taste try Basil, Coriander, Oregano
Salt & Pepper to taste
Mix/Blend all ingredients together and the tahini last. If possible leave to stand for a few hours for the flavours to mix and ‘develop’ a little. More tahini will thicken it.

Vinaigrette - Combine Waihi Bush Oil, vinegar and herbs to taste. Store leftover dressing in a light proof container in the fridge.
Non Dairy Dressing - Combine:
60 ml apple cider vinegar
5 ml Tamari sauce (optional)
5 ml maple syrup or sugar
3 - 5 cloves garlic
6 drops Tabasco sauce
1 tbsp sweet basil
½ tsp tarragon
½ tsp oregano
1 tbsp capers
1 tsp Dijon mustard
180 ml Waihi Bush Oil
Blend together. Store left over dressing in a light proof container in the fridge.

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Child nutrition at its simplest

With the help of his youngest son, Alama, Gary Moller demonstrates how easy it can be to provide good nutrition for a child.

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Which Waihi Bush Flax Seed Oil blend is the best for you?

In this video presentation I explain which of the Waihi Bush flax seed oil blends is right for you and when to switch between blends.

Available from http://www.myotec.co.nz/

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Brutal murder of pensioner - Is there a link with diet?

"The murder of 77-year-old Doreen Reed was so brutal it attracted the attention of the FBI.
When Supervisory Special Agent Mark Safarik - a behavioural analysis expert at the FBI academy in Quantico, Virginia - picked up the story, he made contact with Auckland police with an offer to help catch the killer...A 15-year-old Glenfield boy is in custody,". (Click on headline for the whole story)

Wayne wrote this:

"How does somone get into such a mental state to do this?
a dental anthropologist travelled the world and amongst native tribes on traditional diets he found nothing but pleasant temperaments.

A policemen in london, put young offenders on a wholesome diet and had an almost 100% success rate of turning the offenders onto the straight and narrow.

If we let the children growing up thinking its OK to eat empty calories, and take drugs, we will end up with more of this,
The States has amongst the highest consumption of processed food, in the world, and is one of the most violent nations in the world."
_____________________________________

Gary Moller comments:
I wonder as well and it just so happens that I have been having discussions about this sort of thing with Impact Taurange, a charitable trust that provides residential care and schooling for troubled teens who have just about run out of options. This charity runs on the smell of an oily rage and most of the parents are not in a position to contribute much at all.

We have been discussing adding to these teens' diets a Blend of flax oil specially formulated for their needs. This is on the basis of exciting research that indicates supplementing teenage diets with omega oil may improve behaviour and academic performance. Impact Taurange wants to try it with their teenagers. Many, if not the majority, have been raised on suspect diets.

Because these teenagers are in residential care and formal education, their are objective measures in place of their behaviour and academic performance. If there is an effect from supplemenmting their diet, this should be apparent to their supervisors and educators and measured.

We are seeking a sponsor for trialing this intervention for a three month period. The cost is approximately NZ$600. If you can assist with this cost, that would be fantastic, as would referral to a potential sponsor.

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Link

Omega Oils - Flax vs Fish Oil

Despite diminshing fish stocks, the push is on to have us consume more and more fish oil. Apparently fish oil is superior to plant derived omega oils like flax seed and evening primrose oil. Is this true, or is it merely big budgets getting in the way of the facts? I am not convinced that one source is superior to the other from a health point of view, although I am tending towards being in favour of flax seed oils. What I am convinced about is that these oils, regardless of their source, are of undoubted benefit and the list of benefits grows by the day. Here are some basic facts about fish and flax oil ingredients:

• Flax seed contains Omega-3, 6 & 9; fish oil only has secondary Omega-3
• Flax Boost (A blend of flax seed, black currant and star flower) contains secondary Omega-3 EFA (Steriodonic Acid), as well as primary Omega-3 and Omega-6 EFAs. Taking these secondary EFAs means the body means your body does not have to perform the conversion from primary to secondary EFAs.
• Fish oils are often recommended because they contain Omega-3 derivatives EPA and DHA, rather than the Omega-3 precursor Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA) found in flax seed oil. The thinking is that if these derivatives are taken directly, the body does not have to make them from the precursor.
• It is however beneficial to consume some ALA because it is thought to have some specific functions in the body.

So, if that has left you confused, don't worry. The guts of this is that it is a good idea to get your healthy nutritients from a variety of sources, rather than one alone. Your body will take care of the rest!

Having said this, flax seed has some emotional and convenience advantages (I am referring to Waihi Bush flax seed in particular) because:

• It is organically grown and free of pesticides, heavy metals etc
• It is from a sustainable source
• It is a vegetarian source
• Fish stocks need preserving - not further depletion
• Toxic residues concentrate in fish stocks, although we are assured that fish oils are free of these
• Flax seed oil is rich in natural vitamin E
• Flax seed is pleasant tasting, so can be used as a butter substitute on bread, drizzled on salads, or simply taken straight from the bottle
• Gram-for-gram flax seed oil is much, much cheaper

For a selection of quality Omega oils go here

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