"Does anyone know whether taking moderate quantities of flax oil each day could ultimately lead to weight gain?"
Although flax seed oil "FSO" is considered a healthy supplement, to the body it's just another edible oil in regards to calories and potential weight gain, and will have the same effect as other food oils with similar calories.

"If I take it by itself between meals, will it go right through my system and not contribute to the amount of calories that I'm consuming? Or is it the same as if I'm actually eating that amount of calories?"
It will digest and absorb in the intestines no matter when taken, I would think. (Haven't heard otherwise.) Otherwise, one could cheat on a diet by simply eating oily foods "between meals." It don't work that way.

"I am thinking about upping the amount that I use from one Tbsp. to 3 Tbsp. daily (of the pure oil)."
Per the U.S. Institute of Medicine, the recommended daily intake of Omega 3 essential fatty acid is 1.6 grams, and 17 grams for Omega 6. (These numbers are for men -- I don't have same for women, but the numbers would be slightly lower.) One tablespoon of FSO has 7.25 grams of Omega 3, and 1.73 grams of Omega 6. So 1 tablespoon of FSO has more than enough Omega 3. As for Omega 6, medical guides state comments such as this: "Omega 6 is so widely available in food, you're unlikey to experience a deficiency as long as 2% of your calories come from fat."

Seeds and nuts (such as walnuts and sunflower seeds) are very high in Omega 6. You don't need to worry about Omega 6 in a normal diet, but simply taking 2 tablespoons of nuts or seeds will fulfill one's daily Omega 6 requirements if you're concerned over same. As for Omega 3, you're well-covered with 1 tablespoon of FSO, with no need to go higher. ©†ƒ……•™¼‡_Original_Message_¾€š½ž¢«»¬ï°©

"Does anyone know whether taking moderate quantities of flax oil each day could ultimately lead to weight gain?"
Although flax seed oil "FSO" is considered a healthy supplement, to the body it's just another edible oil in regards to calories and potential weight gain, and will have the same effect as other food oils with similar calories.

"If I take it by itself between meals, will it go right through my system and not contribute to the amount of calories that I'm consuming? Or is it the same as if I'm actually eating that amount of calories?"
It will digest and absorb in the intestines no matter when taken, I would think. (Haven't heard otherwise.) Otherwise, one could cheat on a diet by simply eating oily foods "between meals." It don't work that way.

"I am thinking about upping the amount that I use from one Tbsp. to 3 Tbsp. daily (of the pure oil)."
Per the U.S. Institute of Medicine, the recommended daily intake of Omega 3 essential fatty acid is 1.6 grams, and 17 grams for Omega 6. (These numbers are for men -- I don't have same for women, but the numbers would be slightly lower.) One tablespoon of FSO has 7.25 grams of Omega 3, and 1.73 grams of Omega 6. So 1 tablespoon of FSO has more than enough Omega 3. As for Omega 6, medical guides state comments such as this: "Omega 6 is so widely available in food, you're unlikey to experience a deficiency as long as 2% of your calories come from fat."

Seeds and nuts (such as walnuts and sunflower seeds) are very high in Omega 6. You don't need to worry about Omega 6 in a normal diet, but simply taking 2 tablespoons of nuts/seeds will fulfill one's daily Omega 6 requirements if you're concerned over same. As for Omega 3, you're covered with 1 tablespoon of FSO, with no need to go higher.

The most important oils one can take are the omega 6 oils. The oils one buys in the store are indeed omega 6, but they have been processed and heated and ruined for the most part.
Omega 6 is more inportant than Omega 3. without the proper oils in the diet there will not be much transfer of oxygen to the cells in the body. Lack of oxygen to the cells will cause heart disease, cancer, diabetes.. Brain Peskin connected the dots from Dr Warburg research on Cancer..
Go to http://www.brianpeskin.com
and you will be amazed. Purchase his books. The Hidden Story of Cancer. This is the most important health book I have ever read....
Sid