Flax Seed Q & A

Can you heat it? Is it better ground or whole? How can flax seed benefit me? Answers to these and other common flax seed questions below:

Do I have to buy the oil refrigerated?

Since flax oil is prone to becoming rancid, you’ll usually find it in the refrigerated section at your natural products grocer. Some products are on the shelves; as long as they’re vacuum-sealed, the oils should be fine. Store opened flax oil in your refrigerator.

Do I have to grind the seeds before eating them?

Yes. Grinding the seeds makes the protein, fiber, and fatty acids more available to the body. The easiest way to grind whole flax seeds is in a coffee grinder (then store them in the refrigerator). The whole seeds can also be soaked in water for 8 hours, then drunk with the water to act as a soothing laxative.

Can I buy them already ground?

It’s better to grind them at home, just before you use them, to ensure that the oils are fresh. But you can purchase preground flax in vacuum-sealed containers, which protect the oils. Store them in the refrigerator once opened.

Is it OK to cook with flax oil?

Not really. Heating damages the essential fatty acids in flax. It’s best to drizzle uncooked flax oil over foods after cooking.

What about the seeds?

Does cooking destroy the healthful fats?The seeds are relatively stable and can be used in baking without damage, but higher heat cooking could damage them.

What’s the difference between golden and brown flax seeds?

They’re different varieties; golden flax seed has a more nutty, buttery flavor than brown, but both have the same nutritional content.

What’s the best way to eat flax?

Grind the seeds in a coffee mill, and sprinkle them over cereals and into smoothies, or add them to baked goods. Drizzle the oil over salads, cooked vegetables, or grains, or use it as the base for salad dressings.

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Benefits of Flax Seed:

~Flax seed is seen as an important food to protect against diseases such as cardiovascular illness or cancer. The soluble and insoluble fiber content in flax seed makes it an excellent food to fight against breast and prostrate cancer. Lignans and alpha-linolenic acid that are found in abundance in flax seed may be responsible for its cancer fighting properties.

~Flax seed has cholesterol lowering properties. With a combination of omega 3 fatty acids and soluble fiber, it can favorably affect blood lipid patterns. In a study conducted by the University of Toronto, consumption of flax seed showed reduced levels of total cholesterol and LDL.

~Including about 50 gm of flax seed into your daily meals can give you relief from constipation
Skin problems like eczema and acne can often attributed to omega 3 deficiency. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of flax seed oil offer many benefits.

~Omega 3 EFA may help improve your response to stress. It improves the body's production of energy and also increases stamina.

~Flax seed oil helps protect the body against high blood pressure, inflammation, water retention, sticky platelets and lowered immune function.

~Flax seed oil benefits include supporting better absorption of Calcium and improving liver function.

~Flax seed oil is known to relieve the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

~Hormone-balancing lignans and phytoestrogens in flax seed oil help stabilize a woman's estrogen-progesterone ratio. Flax seed is known to reduce symptoms of PMS. Essential fatty acids in flax seed oil have been shown to block production of prostaglandins that cause heavy bleeding. These lignans promote normal ovulation and promote consistent ovulation.

~The Essential Fatty Acids in flaxseed oil may help to prevent swelling and inflammation of the prostate. It can lead to reduced instances of prostrate enlargement and be used in treating male infertility.

~Lignans found in flax seed oil may protect against various effects of aging.

~Flax seeds are a good source of magnesium, which helps to reduce the severity of asthma by keeping airways relaxed and open.

~The Essential Fatty acids in flaxseed oil aid in the transmission of nerve impulses, making the oil potentially valuable in treating conditions of numbness and tingling.

~Omega 3 fatty acids in flax seed oil can contribute to healthy hair growth and nail growth. Use of flax seed can benefit those suffering from brittle nails and dry hair.