Flax seeds and flaxseed oil are rich sources of alpha linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid of the omega 3 class with significant influences on human health and other mammalian models. These fatty acids, in addition to the phytonutrients present in flaxseed products, offer considerable protection.
Flax seed oil has an unusually high omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, which is very unique among oils and foods in general. This, above all else, is most likely responsible for the variety of positive outcomes associated with dietary intervention trials.