Organic Ground Flaxseed Meal

[matter2003]

Was very surprised to see how inexpensive this was at our local supermarket that is normally very expensive compared to the others(only there because we were right next to it eating at subway and we needed a few things). Picked up a 1lb bag of Bob's Red Mill(great brand) for 2.99 which has 34 servings of 2 tablespoons in it. So a 34 day supply of flaxseed(1 Tbsp in morning and again at night) for 3 bucks?? Great price for a great superfood!

Anyone not supplementing with this, I would highly recommend it at this price, as it contains lots of omega 3s and other great compounds for health! Some believe that omega 3's found in flaxseed could be superior to fish oils since it is found in its natural environment along with various other substances that help the body use it better versus fish oil which is obviously taken from fish itself and doesn't contain the other compounds normally found with the fish.

In addition ground flaxseed meal contains huge supplies of lignans, another super health compound which has anti-cancer properties as a powerful anti-oxidant. In fact it is so rich in lignans, it contains over 100 TIMES the amount of lignans than the next closest food such as oats, buckwheat, wheat bran, millet, rye or soybeans. , and up to 800 times more than some others. These lignans also have been found to FLUSH EXCESS ESTROGEN OUT OF THE BODY(DING DING DING!!!), which explains how it strongly prevents estrogen related cancers such as breast cancer, and is strongly anti-tumor, which require estrogen to grow. Lignans also seem to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.

From Dr. Sears site, here are some other facts regarding ground flaxseed meal:

1. Flax promotes cardiovascular health. The ultra-high levels of omega-3 fatty acids lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Fish oils and algae are also good sources of essential fatty acids.

2. Flax promotes colon health. It has anti-cancer properties and, as a natural lubricant and a rich fiber source, it lowers the risk of constipation.

3. Flax supplements can boost immunity. One study showed that school children supplemented with less than a teaspoon of flax oil a day had fewer and less severe respiratory infections than children not supplemented with flax oil.

4. Flax provides fats that are precursors for brain building. This is especially important at the stage of life when a child's brain grows the fastest, in utero and during infancy. A prudent mom should consider supplementing her diet with a daily tablespoon of flax oil during her pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

5. Flax promotes healthy skin. I have used flax oil as a dietary supplement in my patients who seem to have dry skin or eczema, or whose skin is particularly sun-sensitive.

**Very exciting for me as I have psoriasis!!!***

6. Flax may lessen the severity of diabetes by stabilizing blood-sugar levels.

7. Flax fat can be slimming. Fats high in essential fatty acids, such as flax, increase the body's metabolic rate, helping to burn the excess, unhealthy fats in the body. Eating the right kind of fat gives you a better fighting chance of your body storing the right amount of fats. This is called thermogenesis , a process in which specialized fat cells throughout the body (called brown fat) click into high gear and burn more fat when activated by essential fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). I have personally noticed that I crave less fat overall when I get enough of the healthy fats. A daily supplement of omega 3 fatty acids may be an important part of weight control programs.

Studies also have shown that flaxseed might be the best substance for controlling cholesterol that has been found yet...

Definitely not knocking fish oil as it has huge benefits which have been studied more and more and I take 6 caps a day myself, just putting out some research on flaxseed which is showing more and more benefits itself as well...

In addition the omega 3's in flaxseed are ALA(Insopro-R anyone!?!?!?!), which is the precursor to the EFA's found in fish oils(EPA and DHA)!! $3 for flaxseed providing ALA, lignans and lots of other things or $18 for Insopro-R providin ALA+biotin...seems like a no-brainer to me...That being said, Insopro-R contains much higher amounts of ALA than 1 Tbsp of flaxseed, but again, research almost always bears out that substances found in their natural environment are usually much better absorbed and utilized by the body versus extracts(think of the full spectrum RCE versus the 20-Ecdy extracts)...interesting to see how this would compare versus Insopro-R for ALA purposes...

[RobRegish]

Fish oil = MUCH better for those over 30.

REASON: The EFA's in flax need to be converted by enzymes into EFA's. In those over 30, these enzyme levels are in decline.

Otherwise, GREAT information!! Even I/we weren't aware, of the ALA component!!

[BrainSquirt]

re: the debate on flax ( and hemp!) oils vs fish oils
This is highly individual. Even if your conversion of veg source ALA to the other Om3’s is in the “normal” range, high performance individuals need to tweak the ratio to what is best for their own system… ie use both animal and veg source, but find the best ratio and cycle for your own body.
Finding the best personal ratio of fresh refrigerated flax seeds to high quality flax oil is also important. Pre ground flax not recommended, unless using all of newly opened, well packaged, container. It doesn't keep well, period. Adding a a few tablespoons of soaked overnight seeds to oatmeal / cereal after cooking and making sure you chew it well is probably best way to take the seeds. Wouldn't suggest baking them into cookies etc / cooking them at all.

Also, real (tough) grass fed beef is a premium source of these oils.

re: lignans. Another highly individualized component. Although the ‘research’ / promotion hypes the benefits of lignans, it is literally poison to some bodies. Some do better with high quality food grade hemp oil

re: dosing and complements
Taking flax (oil) with the amino acids methionine and cystine is beneficial. (see Budwig diet, etc) I got into this when I started feeding flax oil and cottage cheese to one of my dogs who got cancer. She improved within weeks (and later went into remission) so I started feeding it to all the dogs (and having some myself ). FWIW I include Black currant seed oil capsules with mine… helps my brains feel better... Turns out high end whey (like MM) is a good source of the sulfurated aminos and this may be better than grocery store 'cottage cheese' products. (ie add flax oil to afternoon 'shakes' and take the fish oils after 6 PM...)

re:
“interesting to see how this would compare versus Insopro-R for ALA purposes”
Two diff. dietary substances use ‘ALA’ abbreviation. One, alpha linolenic acid, is what they are talking about in Flax. The other one is Alpha Lipoic Acid, and flax is not a significant source of that. Common BB’ing misconception…

hth

All the best

[nigh70wl]

Also, real (tough) grass fed beef is a premium source of these oils.

yes! get it ground if the steaks are too tough. bonus points if you want to keep your fats clean: ground sirloin. i am a huge fan of buffalo burger for the omega-3s, in addition to it just tasting better than beef, imo.