What is flaxseed?
Although flaxseed is not a common food in the diet of North Americans, it has a long history and has been around for thousands of years. One of the first crops ever grown, the people of Scandinavia, Africa, and Asia eat flaxseed regularly. Also known as linseed, flaxseeds are brown in color and have a deep nutty flavor.

The use of freshly ground flaxseeds can improve digestion, prevent and reverse constipation, stabilize blood glucose levels, improve cardiovascular function, and bring about many other beneficial effects.

Flaxseed has a high nutritional value and according to the Tufts University Health & Nutritional Letter, flaxseed is one of the richest sources of alpha-linolenic acid, one of the types of fatty acids in the omega-3 family which are considered a superunsaturated fats.

Omega-3 fatty acids help improve heart health by lowering elevated blood fats (serum triglycerides), reducing blood pressure, and platelet stickiness. Other benefits include: reversal of premenstrual syndrome (in most cases), shortening the time required from tired muscles to recover from exercise, increasing the rate of metabolic reactions in the body at levels above 12 - 15% of total calories, producing smooth skin, increasing stamina, and reducing inflammation. These fatty acids are "essential" for health and survival, but the human body is incapable of producing them; they must be obtained from food.

Flaxseed is an excellent source of insoluble and soluble fiber which can help decrease cholesterol levels. Flax seeds are also packed with Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), a critical dietary element that regulates the balance of saturated fats and cholesterol in cells. In addition to being found in flaxseeds, EFA is found in fish, soybeans, leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

In addition to the omega-3 essential fatty acids and soluble and insoluble fiber, flaxseeds also contain a phytoestrogen, a naturally occurring plant estrogen, called lignans. In fact, flaxseeds are one of the richest known food sources for plant estrogens, containing between 75 to 800 times more lignans than any other food.

Lignans are touted as having many health-related benefits including decreasing the symptoms of menopause, particularly hot flashes, and regulating the menstrual cycle.

Flaxseed Nutritional Facts
Golden flaxseed offer's 48% of its total fat content as Omega-3 fatty acids. the next best source of these acids is fish. You would have to eat close to 1 pound of fish to get the same amout of Omega-3 as 1/4 cup of ground flaxseed. While even the most highly processed foods claim to be fortified with vitamins and minerals, flaxseed naturally provides a very high concentrations of essential fats, fiber, phytochemicals and other important nutrients.

Those with health challenges can see significant benefits from using 1 scoop or 5 grams of “our all natural concentrated flax hull lignans”, which contain more than 200 mg of SDG. Based on our current lifestyles, and of course, our diets, we as Americans would be well advised to supplement our diets with flax products every day for the rest of our lives.

Try our dynamic duo of true cold milled and concentrated lignans for the best boost your immune system ever experienced.

There are many flax supplements on the market but only one “truly cold milled product”. Our product does not spoil like other flax products and has a shelf life of more than 18 months naturally. It not only contains the proper balance of Omega 3, 6 and 9,but also provides the beneficial lignan SDG. As little as 50mg of SDG per day has shown to have extensive health benefits.

Food manufacturers are moving quickly to add Omega 3 to their products and many are finding that flaxseed, especially our True Cold Milled (TCM®) flax will best suit their needs when the highest quality and most stable end product is their goal.

Flax & Fiber
The soluble and insoluble fiber in Golden Flax helps move digested food particles through the digestive tract. This helps pull out toxins and cholesterol, aids in constipation and hemorrhoids, and promotes overall intestinal health. All available literature tends to support the idea that dietary fiber is important to digestions and laxation and has been a factor in preventing cancer, expecially colon cancer. One ounce of flaxseed provides 32% of the USDA's Reference Daily Intake (RDI) of fiber.

Flax & Cholesterol
The high fiber content, lignans and omega-3 qualities in flaxseed are natural preventative properties for heart disease. Studies prove that when flaxseed is added to the diet, harmful LDL cholesterol drops, while good HDL cholesterol remains or increases.

By lowering LDL cholesterol, a person is able to significantly reduce risk of heart disease and accompanying health complications. Current dietary advice for those at risk from coronary artery disease focus on the restriction of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol intake, combined with exercise and ideal body weight. Also emphasized is the need to increase intake of alpha-linolenic acid – the major component of the omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed.

In summary, the omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and lignans in flaxseed are major helpers in keeping arteries flexible. Stiffened blood vessel walls are also caused by conditions of high blood pressure and diabetes, which can also lead to high risks of stroke and heart attack. It is helpful to know that the properties of flaxseed are also useful in maintaining blood pressure and healthy blood sugar levels.

Flax & Omega-3 - Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA)
The high fiber content, lignans and omega-3 qualities in flaxseed are natural preventative properties for heart disease. Studies prove that when flaxseed is added to the diet, harmful LDL cholesterol drops, while good HDL cholesterol remains or increases.

The FDA has not determined a Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for Omega-3 fatty acids. However, a joint committee of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization recommend an Omega-6 / Omega-3 dietary ratio between 5:1 and 10:1. Flaxseed provides a ratio of 3:1. By comparison, corn oil is 45:1, soybean oil 10:1 and canola oil 3:1. The high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acid makes flaxseed a valuable component of any health-conscious diet.

Flax & Lignans
Golden flaxseed is also high in lignans, which aid in the prevention of cancer and can help substantialy with menopause & PMS symptoms. Populations with high fiber diests and high intake of phytochemicals called lignans have very low rates of hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer. As research into the function of lignans in cancer prevention continues, flaxseed shares center stage as a high-fiber food that is also one of nature's riches sources of lignans.

Flax & Other Nutrients
Flaxseed is an outstanding source of many essential nutrients, including: folate, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, magnesium, potassium, iron, thiamine,copper, zinc, calcium, and phophorus. Flaxseed also appears to be an anti-inflammatory aide and may be effective to treat inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis.

Health benefits from flaxseed may include:

• Reduction of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides
• May reduce hear arrhythmia during "coronary events" (Bierenbaum and Alexander)
• Anti-inflammatory effects. (Zurier and Kelly)
• Natural laxative, effects of the dietary fiber. (Cunnane)
• Helps glucose control in diabetes. (Cunnane)
• Softens skin and improves coat (fur) of animals. (Simopoulos)
• Reduces some psoriasis. (Simopoulos)

Note: Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or dietitian. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.