Written by: Kelly Hoang, Product Information Specialist and has been with Flora for 8 years. Passionate about natural health and healthy eating. Enjoys learning and talking about the amazing health promoting products Flora offers. Helping people with their health issues and sharing their stories has allowed her to build so much confidence and knowledge.
Flax seed fun facts! So what do these tiny seeds contain that makes them so nutritious? Should you be consuming whole or ground flax seeds (US/CA) or take flax oil (US/CA)?
Flax oil is one of the richest sources of the omega-3 essential fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). ALA is the starting material (or parent fatty acid) from which our body makes its derivatives, the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The tiny seeds are expeller-pressed in small batches and are carefully protected from heat, oxygen, and light which can destroy their health benefits.
Ground flax seed is a rich source of lignans which are beneficial phytonutrients found mainly in seeds and grains.
They help provide natural fiber for the digestive system, and research has investigated them for antioxidant benefits and as phytoestrogens for hormone balance. Lignans are a mucilage forming fiber that will help form stools. This can benefit sufferers of both diarrhea and constipation. They also provide a delicious source of prebiotic which feeds our gut bacteria. Grinding the seeds makes them easier to digest and is the most effective way to consume those lignans.
Flax seed contains both the soluble (ground) and insoluble types (whole) of fiber. They are essentially the indigestible component of carbohydrates. Soluble fiber absorbs water and has a soft gelatinous texture and helps soften stools. It also binds to bile acids in the intestines and helps reduce cholesterol as it absorbs toxins and waste products and takes them out of the body. On the other hand, insoluble fiber is often used as a bulk forming laxative facilitating stool excretion. This can help speed up the transit time of food matter that passes through our digestive tract. Fiber also helps promote regularity and reduces the incidence of constipation.
Bottom line, you would need to consume flax oil raw (uncooked) as heat can destroy the health promoting benefits of the omegas and grind the seeds to digest the fiber and lignans. Whole flax seed is hard to digest and it just passes right through your system, so you won’t get much of the nutrients out of it.
Flora pioneered the production of fresh flax oil in North America in 1985 and continues to set the standard. A special atmosphere-control system ensures the pressing environment is oxygen- and light-free to minimize damage to the fragile EFAs. Flora's Golden Flax Seeds have a delicious, nutty flavor and may also be sprinkled on cereal, salads, soups, or vegetables.
