Golden
Flax Seed
Flax
seed is an excellent source of both fiber and essential fatty acids. The
nutrient rich seeds are cold pressed
to extract the oil, which is a mixture of essential fatty acids. The
fibrous meal remaining after cold pressing provides fiber and lignans.
There are still remnants of the flax oil in the meal, so it also
contains some essential fatty acids. These flax seed constituents are
good companions for providing important nutrients and can be taken
separately or together to enjoy their health benefits.
Golden
Flax Oil™, begins with independently certified organic flax seeds. This
third party certification ensures that the plants are grown without
using pesticides or herbicides.
To
prevent oxidation, rancidity and the formation of free radicals, we
exclude oxygen, and most importantly, light during manufacturing and
bottling. Our black opaque bottles provide complete and continuous
protection from the destructive effects of light and are flushed with
inert gas to displace any remaining oxygen.
Golden Flax Meal™
Dietary
fiber (also known as “roughage”) is material that remains in good
part undigested. However,
it does have many benefits. Golden Flax Meal is almost 40% fiber,
containing both soluble and insoluble fibers. Insoluble fiber, being
predominantly indigestible, mostly passes through the body unchanged. It
binds with water, reducing constipation. People who eat a lot of high
fiber foods have lower rates of many common gastrointestinal
complaints.1,2,3
Many
studies have determined that soluble fiber helps maintain healthy
cholesterol levels,4,5 and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.*5,6,7
In
addition to fibers (including lignans), Golden Flax Meal retains most of
the nutrients in whole flax seeds including some essential fatty acids,
proteins, vitamins and minerals.
The
plant lignans present in flax meal (43 mg per tablespoon) are fiber-like
phytochemicals that are transformed into “animal” lignan in the
colon by bacteria. Lignans
are naturally found in foods high in dietary fiber, and are structurally
similar to estrogens. Like
natural estrogens, they can bind to estrogen receptors, but without
causing abnormal changes.*8 Plant
lignans have been shown to help inhibit abnormal cell growth and help
the immune system do its job.*9 Flax
seed is the most abundant source of lignans.
Golden Flax Oil™
The
major components of all fats are fatty acids. Our bodies use many
specific fatty acids to maintain normal function. Essential fatty acids
(EFAs) function as building blocks in membranes of every cell in the
body.*8 They also insulate nerves, cushion and protect tissues, and
contribute to healthy skin and hair.* Prostaglandins,
hormone-like substances necessary for many aspects of health
maintenance, are produced from EFAs.*10 All but two can be synthesized
by our bodies. These two essential fatty acids come from the omega-3 and
omega-6 groups. They must be obtained from foods or dietary supplements.
Omega-3
(alpha-linolenic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid) fatty acids are found
in polyunsaturated fats, and are the unsaturated-cis
form. In an effort to
stabilize and extend the shelf life of the more fragile polyunsaturated
oils, commercial manufacturers often add hydrogen in a process called
hydrogenation. Hydrogen is forced into the fatty acid to saturate and
solidify the oils. The
natural molecular shape of all chemical bonds in EFAs not filled with
hydrogen is the cis form. Fatty acids containing cis
bonds are easily incorporated into the membranes of the human cells.
When subjected to hydrogenation, some of the cis
bonds change to trans bonds. These trans fatty
acids have now been associated with an increased risk of heart
disease.11,12
Perhaps
the most important benefit of omega-3 fatty acids is their ability to
strengthen the cardiovascular system.*10,11,12,13
Omega-3 fatty acids help regulate cholesterol and triglyceride
levels in the blood.14 An
excellent source of both Omega-3 and Omega-6 EFAs is Nature’s Life
certified organic, unrefined Golden Flax Oil.
Hints & Recipes
Golden
Flax Meal may be used as a tasty alternative to bran or psyllium seed
meal. With a delicious nutty taste, Golden Flax Meal can be stirred into
water or blended with fruits, cereals, yogurt, or juices.
It may also be used in cooking. Try it in muffins or other baking
or as an extender in vegetable or meat loaves and patties.
Golden Flax Oil may be used in blended drinks, salad oils and
baking. The rich taste of
flax oil adds a wonderful creamy taste and texture to protein shakes and
enhances the flavor of salad dressings.
For copies of recipes, contact Nature’s Life.
Essential
fatty acids are just that–essential for survival, and fibers
are necessary for a healthy colon.* Nature’s Life golden flax seeds
are an excellent source of both these nutrients.
Certified organically grown and manufactured to our strict GMPs,
Golden Flax Oil, and Golden Flax Meal, can be used as a healthy source
of EFAs and fiber. Every
cell in your body needs good nutrition. Get yours from a proven source
of healthy, quality nutrients–Nature’s Life golden flax products.
References
-
Knudsen, K, et al.
Physiological Implications of Wheat and Oat Dietary Fiber. Advances
in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1990;270:135
-
Klurfeld, DM. Dietary
Fiber-mediated Mechanisms in Carcinogenesis. Cancer Research, 1992;52(7 Sup):
2055-2059s.
-
Mc Burney, MI and Thompson, LU.
Fermentative Characteristics of Cereal Brans and Vegetable
Fibers. Nutrition
and Cancer, 199013:(271-80).
-
Jenkins, D, et al. Effect on
blood lipids of very high intakes of fiber in diets low in saturated
fat and cholesterol. New
England Journal of Medicine, 1993;329:21-6.
-
McIntosh, GH, et al. Barley and
Wheat foods: Influence on Plasma Cholesterol Concentrations in
Hypercholesterolemic Men. American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1991;53:1205-9.
-
Dietary fibre: importance of
function as well as amount. Lancet, 1992;340:1133 [editorial].
-
Jenkins, DJ, et al. Whole Meal
Versus Whole Grain Breads: Proportion of Whole or Cracked Grain and
the Glycemic Response. British
Medical Journal, 1988;197(6654):958-60.
-
Stevens, LJ, et al. Essential
fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder. American Journal
Clinical Nutrition, 1995;62;761-8.
-
Adlercreutz, H. Does fiber-rich
food containing animal
lignan
precursors protect against both colon and breast cancers?
An extension of the “Fiber Hypothesis.” Gastroenterol
1984;86:761-6 [editorial, review].
-
Goodman, S. The role of
Essential Fatty Acids in Cancer. International Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine,
1994:16-18.
-
Troisi, R, et al. Trans fatty
acid intake in relation to serum lipid concentrations in adult men. American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1992;56:1019-24.
-
Willet, WC, et al. Intake of
trans fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease among women. Lancet,
1993;341:581-5.
-
Mensink, RP and Katan, MB.
Effect of Trans Fatty Acids on high-density and low-density
Lipoprotein Cholesterol levels in healthy subjects. The New England Journal of Medicine, 1990;323(7):439-445.
- Innis
SM. N-3 fatty acid requirements of the newborn. Lipids, 1992;27:879-85.
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