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FLAX FACTS
 Flax is an ancient crop that was used as a
food source as far back as 3000 B.C.
Hippocrates wrote of using
flaxseed for the relief of abdominal pain.
Charlemagne, considered flax
so healthy that he passed laws requiring its consumption.
Modern day researchers
believe that the lignans, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids
(EFA's) found in ground flax seed are essential to good
health.
The human body does not produce
essential fatty acids (EFA's) i.e. Linolenic acid and
Linoleic acid and, as a result, they must be supplied
through diet. Ground Flax Seed is rich in EFA's.
A variety
of medical sources have concluded that ground flax seed
can have a positive affect on - Hormone-sensitive cancers
- Cardiovascular disease as a blood-thinning and
cholesterol-lowering agent - Bowels - Kidney Disease -
Skin Disease - Arthritis - Lung Disease - Immune System
Un-ground flax seed is not digestible and,
as a result, it will not supply the body with the
necessary lignans or ALA. To be effective, flax seed must
be ground before it is ingested
For optimum nutrient value, use ground flax
seeds instead of flax oil. Flax oil contains omega-3
fatty acids, but it does NOT contain the beneficial
lignans and fiber. The lignans and fiber are removed in
the production process.
Flax seed contains both soluble and
insoluble fiber. About one-third of the fiber in flax
seed is soluble. soluble fiber can aid in lowering
cholesterol and regulating blood sugar levels.
Two-thirds of the fiber in flax seed is
insoluble. Insoluble fiber aids digestion by increasing
bulk and preventing constipation. These characteristics
seem to have a role in reducing incidents of colon
cancer.
Ground
Flax Seed is rich in protein, B vitamins, vitamin E,
beta-carotene, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese
and zinc.
The fiber benefits of flax seed can only be
found in the ground flax seed.
Typical ground flax seed intake - 25 to 30
grams / day.
Researchers believe that Omega-3 can
decrease the risk of, coronary heart disease,
hypertension, arthritis, auto-immune disease, breast
cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and poor brain and
retina development. most processed foods do not contain
Omega-3. Food manufacturers / processors remove Omega 3
from their products to increase the shelf life of the
product.
Ground
Flax Seed can be mixed in juice or milk - added to
salads, yogurt and cereal - added to oatmeal - cooked
potatoes or vegetables or other hot foods - used in baked
goods. The use of ground flax seed is only limited by
one's imagination. high temperature does not affect the
potency of ground flax seed.
Always purchase
whole flax seed - Avoid purchasing ground flax seed - its
potency may be diminished due to improper handling and
storage.
Flax
seed contains anti-oxidants that keep the oil and pulp
fresh within the seed. Flax seed should be kept
"whole" until immediately prior to use.
Processed foods take energy to digest. Whole foods provide energy and nutrients during and
after digestion.
Flax seed is easily ground using a Coffee
Grinder, Grain Grinder, Blender, Bamix etc.
FLAX SEED NUTRIENT CONTENT - 1
TBSP
| Nutrient
| Units
| 1 tbsp
-------
12.0 g
|
| Proximates
|
| Water
|
g
|
1.050
|
| Energy
|
kcal
|
59.040
|
| Energy
|
kj
|
247.080
|
| Protein
|
g
|
2.340
|
| Total lipid (fat)
|
g
|
4.080
|
| Ash
|
g
|
0.420
|
| Carbohydrate, by
difference
|
g
|
4.110
|
| Fiber, total dietary
|
g
|
3.348
|
| Sugars, total
|
g
|
0.126
|
| Sucrose
|
g
|
0.101
|
| Glucose (dextrose)
|
g
|
0.025
|
| Fructose
|
g
|
0.000
|
| Lactose
|
g
|
0.000
|
| Maltose
|
g
|
0.000
|
| Galactose
|
g
|
0.000
|
| Minerals
|
| Calcium, Ca
|
mg
|
23.880
|
| Iron, Fe
|
mg
|
0.746
|
| Magnesium, Mg
|
mg
|
43.440
|
| Phosphorus, P
|
mg
|
59.760
|
| Potassium, K
|
mg
|
81.720
|
| Sodium, Na
|
mg
|
4.080
|
| Zinc, Zn
|
mg
|
0.500
|
| Copper, Cu
|
mg
|
0.125
|
| Manganese, Mn
|
mg
|
0.394
|
| Selenium, Se
|
mcg
|
0.660
|
| Vitamins
|
| Vitamin C, total
ascorbic acid
|
mg
|
0.156
|
| Thiamin
|
mg
|
0.020
|
| Riboflavin
|
mg
|
0.019
|
| Niacin
|
mg
|
0.168
|
| Pantothenic acid
|
mg
|
0.184
|
| Vitamin B-6
|
mg
|
0.111
|
| Folate, total
|
mcg
|
33.360
|
| Folic acid
|
mcg
|
0.000
|
| Folate, food
|
mcg
|
33.360
|
| Folate, DFE
|
mcg_DFE
|
33.360
|
| Vitamin B-12
|
mcg
|
0.000
|
| Vitamin A, IU
|
IU
|
0.000
|
| Vitamin A, RAE
|
mcg_RAE
|
0.000
|
| Retinol
|
mcg
|
0.000
|
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
|
mg
|
0.038
|
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone)
|
mcg
|
0.000
|
| Lipids
|
| Fatty acids, total
saturated
|
g
|
0.384
|
| 4:0
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 6:0
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 8:0
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 10:0
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 12:0
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 14:0
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 16:0
|
g
|
0.216
|
| 18:0
|
g
|
0.167
|
| Fatty acids, total
monounsaturated
|
g
|
0.824
|
| 16:1 undifferentiated
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 18:1 undifferentiated
|
g
|
0.824
|
| 20:1
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 22:1 undifferentiated
|
g
|
0.000
|
| Fatty acids, total
polyunsaturated
|
g
|
2.693
|
| 18:2 undifferentiated
|
g
|
0.518
|
| 18:3 undifferentiated
|
g
|
2.175
|
| 18:4
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 20:4 undifferentiated
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 20:5 n-3
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 22:5 n-3
|
g
|
0.000
|
| 22:6 n-3
|
g
|
0.000
|
| Cholesterol
|
mg
|
0.000
|
| Other
|
| Alcohol, ethyl
|
g
|
0.000
|
| Caffeine
|
mg
|
0.000
|
| Theobromine
|
mg
|
0.000
|
| Carotene, beta
|
mcg
|
0.000
|
| Carotene, alpha
|
mcg
|
0.000
|
| Cryptoxanthin, beta
|
mcg
|
0.000
|
| Lycopene
|
mcg
|
0.000
|
| Lutein + zeaxanthin
|
mcg
|
78.120
|
Note:
Up to 12 percent flax seed can safely be used as an ingredient
in food.
How
to Reach Us
Tel:
1-403-364-2888 / 364-2802
(9 am - 5 pm MST
Weekdays)
Fax:
1-403-364-2889
Email:
Eco-Vie
A
Div of Ecochem Inc.
Box 1388
Hanna, Alberta
Canada T0J 1P0
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