Flax Flower
Our Search for Clean Flax Seeds
When we tested our USDA certified grains at the end of 2014, we were shocked to find many of them contaminated with the herbicide glyphosate. (See: ALERT: Certified Organic Food Grown in U.S. Found Contaminated with Glyphosate Herbicide). In our search for new products that would test clean for the presence of both GMOs and glyphosate, we had a very difficult time finding flax seeds that tested clean for the presence of glyphosate. The area of the U.S. where most flax seeds grow are in northern states where desiccating crops with glyphosate is common practice to control the harvest prior to snowfall.
Finally, almost 2 years later, we obtained samples from a farm in Italy that tested clean on the samples we tested. We now offer this very high quality flax seed to our American market.
About Our Flax Seeds
Our brown flax seeds are completely raw and unprocessed. They were grown in Italy and are traceable back to the farm that raised them. The farm is certified organic and a sample of the seeds were lab tested for the presence of glyphosate and none was found.
Unique Nutritional Qualities of Flax Seed
Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Flax seeds are a very good source of Omega 3 fatty acid in the form of alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA. The ALA present in flax can also remain intact after baking, so fresh ground flax can be added to breads and pastries and still retain its Omega 3 advantage after coming out of the oven. Flax seed has a high ratio of Linolenic (Omega-3) to Linoleic (omega-6) fatty acids. While many other plant seeds contain a higher ratio of omega-6 fats, flaxseed is the one of the few seeds that contains a much higher ratio of the essential omega-3 fats.
Lignans – Flax seeds are the richest dietary source of lignans, which are polyphenols that act as antioxidants.
Mucilage – Flax seeds are a rich source for mucilage, which is the thick glue like substance that helps the seeds to store food and water and also aides in the seed’s germination. This mucilage acts as a water soluble fiber in the body, but without the high carbohydrate content of other fibers. Flax seed is 28%-35% fiber, 1/3 of which is soluble, and the other 2/3 insoluble. Soluble fiber also plays an important role in maintaining the “good bacteria” in our bowel, like Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria. Insoluble fiber increases the bulk of stools.
How to Use Flax Seeds
Flax seeds can be enjoyed in a number of ways from raw, soaked, sprouted, boiled or ground and can be treated as you would other seeds or nuts. However, flax seed must be finely cut into a meal to get maximum benefits of the OMEGA-3 oil and dietary fiber. We recommend that you buy a coffee grinder and dedicate its use to grinding flax seeds. Once ground, the flax seeds should be consumed quickly, as the oil inside the seeds oxidizes rapidly.
The recommended daily amount of flax seeds to eat is about 1–2 Tbsp. The most beneficial amount for maximum nutritional value of ground flax seed is 2 tablespoons daily. It can be mixed into 10–12 oz. of juice or water. Make sure you use plenty of water when adding flax seed to your diet.
Ground flax seed can easily be added on top of dishes including: baked products, stir-fry dishes, soup or stews, cereal and yogurt.
Flax seed is 35–40% oil so a similar amount may be omitted from any recipe requiring oil that also includes ground flax seed. Similarly, about 1 Tbsp. of ground flax seed steeped in 3 Tbsp. of water for 2-3 minutes will substitute for one egg in recipes. Flax seed contains NO GLUTEN for those with gluten allergy.
