Hello, As a vegetarian I am keen to incorporate flaxseed oil into my diet. At the moment I have a tablespoon in porridge every morning. Is this a suitable way of taking it? As oats have a high fiber content, is it possible they could pass through the body too quickly and in doing so deplete the absorption of the oil? Or will the oats and oil separate in the small intestine?
I should add that I strongly dislike the taste of the oil and so try to hide its flavor in food, otherwise I would take it by the spoon or as vinaigrette. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Maggie - About.com User
Oatmeal has been shown to improve heart health due to the soluble fiber called beta glucan that is found in the oatmeal. Beta glucan lowers cholesterol by absorbing bile which contains cholesterol. The bile is then eliminated from the body in the stool.
Taking flax seed oil with your oatmeal is fine. Fiber slows down the time it takes for your stomach to empty, but you won't lose the omega-3 essential fatty acids from the flax seed oil. If you use ground flax seeds instead of the oil, you will still get the omega-3s and extra fiber.
If you really don't like flax seed oil, you can use walnuts, walnut oil, pumpkin seeds, soy bean oil or canola oil to get your omega-3s.
