It’s time for the very first installment of the new Q&A video series I’ve been so excited about! Listen to what our readers have been asking lately, and if you’ve got a question, you can email me and I’ll answer you in another video.

Joanne asks:

What is the difference between Omega 3 oil and Flax seed oil? Which is more important for overall health?

Answer summary:

• Omega-3 oil is usually fish oil, which is very highly processed, leaving the oil rancid and full of damaging free radicals.
• Flax seed oil has its own issues, too. It’s very high in phytoestrogens which can cause hormonal problems, and it has been linked to prostate cancer in men, and pre-term labor in pregnant women.
• Flax also only has omega-3 in the form of ALA, which the body cannot effectively convert into usable the forms of omega-3, DHA and EPA.
• I don’t recommend taking either of these. If you are interested in omega-3 supplementation, I recommend fermented cod liver oil. (Find fermented cod liver oil here.)

Tiffany asks:

Is there a difference between cod liver oil and fermented cod liver oil? if so what is the difference and which helps with colds?

Answer summary:

• Yes! Big difference. Most cod liver oil is factory processed in a way that strips out all the good nutrients and vitamins. Synthetic vitamins are then added back in. I’m really not a fan of synthetic vitamins — they are commonly made from GMOs, among other issues.
• Fermented cod liver oil is made the traditional way, which preserves all the beneficial vitamins and nutrients. It is totally superior in quality.
• Probably the biggest reason why fermented cod liver oil is so effective in treating a cold is that it contains such high levels of natural vitamin D3. The vitamin D in regular cod liver oil isn’t the same. I don’t think regular or store-bought cod liver oil would work as well as a cold remedy.
• Only one company still makes naturally fermented cod liver oil. They sell their products through online retailers, which are listed on my resources page here. 

Anything to add to my answers to this week’s questions?

Feel free to respond in the comments!

Got a Question?

I’d love to help give you an answer!

• Please send your questions to: questions@butterbeliever.com. My name is Emily, by the way. 
• Your question can be related to anything in the food, nutrition, health, or green living realm. I’m not the be-all-end-all expert on these things, obviously, but it is kind of my job to research and write about them.
• By sending me your question, you’re giving me permission to post it on the site and/or my YouTube videos. If you would like to remain anonymous, please tell me so and I’ll gladly honor that. Otherwise, I’ll use your first name and last initial.
• Understand that I’m not a doctor or medical professional, so any information or opinions I provide will not be medical advice.

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