Flax is one of the oldest cultivated crops in history. Our ancestors revered its health benefits and curative powers. Somewhere along the way its healing powers were forgotten or overlooked in favor of "modern" therapies. Today these healing powers are being rediscovered in Canada, Europe, and the Far East. It's interesting how easily we forget the things we've known for hundreds of generations.

Flaxseeds are a wonderful source of so many of the nutrients our bodies need. Flax seeds are 35% oil and 55% of that oil includes the crucial omega-3 fatty acids. Don't forget that both omega-3 and omega-6 are essential oils that should be included in your diet to promote good heart health. Now if you are eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables you are probably getting an adequate amount of omega-6, but if you are not eating lots of fruit and vegetables then you need to consider eating more for the sake of your good health.

Omega-3 fatty acids — More than half the fat in flaxseed is of the essential omega-3 fatty acid type. Scientific studies reporting health benefits for omega-3 fatty acids show that these fatty acids are required for proper infant growth and development. Adding flaxseed to the diet can reduce cholesterol. New research also suggests that alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid which is abundant in flaxseed, offers protective effects against both coronary heart disease and stroke. Omega-3s have been shown to also protect against hypertension, and inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Long-term studies of flaxseed effects on breast cancer are now underway and the results are promising.

Omega-3s are hard to find, they are found mainly in cold-water fish like salmon. So unless you are eating salmon every night for dinner, you’re probably not getting enough omega-3s in your diet, and you are missing out on its important health benefits.

Omega-6 fatty acids — An essential fatty acid, linoleic is the chief polyunsaturated fat in the North American diet. Most omega-6 fatty acids in the diet come from vegetable oils.

Lignans - When bacteria in the digestive tract act on plant lignans these compounds are converted into potent hormone-like substances. Research with animals suggests that the newly formed compounds may be capable of blocking the action of certain cancer-causing substances in the body.

Currently, scientists are trying to determine how effective lignans and other chemicals in foods (phytochemicals) are at preventing cancer. They are also looking over evidence that suggests the omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed are potential anticarcinogens.

Soluble fibre - Most of the soluble fibre in flaxseed is mucilage, a thick, sticky substance. Few studies have looked at the direct effects of flaxseed mucilage on health. But studies show that eating flaxseed (baked into muffins and breads) can lower blood cholesterol levels.

Insoluble fibre - Not surprisingly, studies show that the insoluble fibre in flaxseed, like that in wheat bran, is helpful for regulating bowel movements and preventing constipation. Because flaxseed's insoluble fibre components have the capacity to hold water, they help soften the stool and allow it to move through the colon more quickly.

Milled flax seed provides more nutritional benefits than does whole seed. That’s because flax seeds are very hard, making them difficult to crack, even with careful chewing. Milling flax seeds cuts them many times, making them easier to digest when eaten. Then the body can profit from all that flax goodness.

If whole flax seeds remain unbroken, they may pass undigested through the body, reducing the nutritional advantage of eating flax seed in the first place. Our Patented Cold Milling method cuts, not grinds the seed many times allowing the rich nutrients to be absorber by the body.

Including flax in daily diet is as important as brushing your teeth, or taking your daily vitamins. Flax is made is made up of so many important health benefits in a single seed, that we consider it to be one of nature's most perfect health foods. The list of health benefits that can be contributed to flax seed is quite impressive. We don't know if you can find any food that even comes close to it at all. It gives you all around immune support, promotes healthy cholesterol levels, aids healthy digestion, and promotes healthy glowing skin. Your daily dose of flax seeds gives you everything that's good for you, including essential fatty acids, protein, vitamins, precious phytonutrients, and health promoting lignans, as well as soluble and insoluble fiber.