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Posts Tagged ‘organic flax seed’

If you’re looking for more fiber in your diet, don’t like fish, or have worries about breast cancer, flax might be the health supplement for you. On the other hand, flax has adverse effects on the human body, and shouldn’t be taken without serious medical consideration. Here’s the basics on flax to get you started.

Flax is a great alternative to fish as a source of Omega-3 fatty acids. It is full of ALA, or alpha-linolenic acid, a necessary aid in brain function, and helps in prevention of inflammations as well as heart disease, arthritis, etc. Even better than that, the body can use ALA to make the twoother fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). But the body cannot make ALA itself, and so you need to make sure ALA is part of your diet, as well as balance levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6 (another fatty acid), a ratio of 3:1.

Flax has the highest naturally occurring amount of lignan in any plant. When assimilated in the body, the lignan from organic flax seed is converted further into enterodiol and enterolactione. It is these lignans that have been linked to antioxidant activity, and more importantly, in preventing breast cancer. Lignans are also believed to prevent ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and prostate cancer.

Because of lignan, flax is a great source of fiber. However, its high fiber content can have adverse effects, so it can’t be used indiscriminately. If you’re introducing flax to your diet, start slowly and use greater amounts when you’ve become used to it. Make sure to drink plenty of water to avoid constipation. Lastly, note that oral medications may be affected by flax, so consult your doctor before you start consuming it.

Flax can be bought ground or in oil form, but you may prefer to buy whole seeds, which retain both lignans and AHA. Flax will go bad if kept out in the open for very long. If you do decide to buy prepared flaxseed, store it airtight and away from the sun. If you buy flaxseed oil, make sure to put it in the fridge the minute you open it. If you buy milled flaxseed, you can easily grind them with a coffee grinder or blender, but remember to put it in your food just before serving.

One more thing: you may be unaware of the different flax varieties available, especially when they tell you about brown and golden flax. There are no differences in the nutritional benefits of brown and golden flax, but brown flax was primarily made for industrial uses, whereas golden flax was developed to be used as food so when people buy flax seed, the golden variety is often preferred.