Two
Packs Whole Flaxseed
£15.30
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Whole
Flaxseed (also known as common flax or linseed) (binomial name: Linum usitatissimum)
is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. Whole Flaxseed is
native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and
was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent. Whole Flaxseed was
extensively cultivated in ancient Egypt. (New Zealand flax is not related
to flax, but was named after it as both plants are used to produce fibers.)
Flax
plant is an erect annual plant growing to 1.2 m tall, with slender stems.
The leaves are glaucous green, slender lanceolate, 20–40 mm long
and 3 mm broad. The flowers are pure pale blue, 15–25 mm diameter,
with five petals; they can also be bright red. The fruit is a round, dry
capsule
5–9 mm diameter, containing several glossy brown seeds shaped like
an apple pip, 4–7 mm long.
This
delicate plant produces tiny seeds that offer a wide variety of terrific
health benefits. These health benefits
include:
- Soluble
fibers which reduce cholesterol level and therefore lower the risk of heart
disease.
- Alpha linolenic acid and omega-3 fatty acid to help reduce blood thickness
diminishing the chances of blood clots.
- Phytoestrogens which are similar to human estrogen and can be helpful
for women during their hormonal cycle or during menopause.
- Whole Flaxseed has reduced both the number and size of cancerous
tumors in both breast and prostate cancer.
Whole Flaxseed can easily be added into a normal diet. It can be added
to cereals, breads, muffins, pancakes, and cookies. Additionally, it can
be mixed well into fluids like juices, smoothies and applesauce, as well
as meat dishes and as a salad or sandwich topper like mayonnaise or mustard.
Whole Flaxseed may reduce the incidence and size of tumors. One small study
by Lillian Thompson, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University
of Toronto, showed that the rate of tumor growth in breast cancer patients
was reduced when they consumed 25 grams of flax per day.
Whole Flaxseed can be used whole, ground, or in oil forms. Whole Flaxseed
can be ground in a coffee grinder, pepper grinders, or a flax seed grinder
which can easily be bought online. Whole flax seed offers fiber which
is great for the digestive system and for reducing cholesterol. Grinding
flax
seed allows the digestive tract to absorb the other available nutrients
like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and lignans. It is suggested that
a combination
of both whole and ground flax seed be incorporated into the normal daily
diet to get the best health benefits available from flax seed.
Lignans may benefit the heart; possess anti-cancer properties and studies
performed on mice found reduced growth in specific types of tumors. Initial
studies suggest that flaxseed taken in the diet may benefit individuals
with certain types of breast and prostate cancers. Flax may also lessen
the severity
of diabetes by stabilizing blood-sugar levels. There is some support
for the use of flax seed as a laxative due to its dietary fiber content
though
excessive consumption without liquid can result in intestinal blockage.
Consuming large amounts of flax seed can impair the effectiveness of
certain oral medications,
due to its fiber content.
Flax seed must be stored properly in all forms. It is extremely sensitive
to heat and sunlight. Exposure to either will cause the flax seed to
quickly spoil. Store all flax seed in an airtight container in a cool
place. Flax is grown both for its seeds and for its fibers. Various parts
of the plant have been used to make fabric, dye, paper, medicines, fishing
nets and soap. It is also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Uses
Flax
seeds come in two basic varieties, brown and yellow or golden, with most
types having similar nutritional values and equal amounts of
short-chain omega-3 fatty acids. The exception is a type of yellow
flax called
Linola or solin, which has a completely different oil profile and
is very low
in omega-3. Although brown flax can be consumed as readily as yellow,
and has been for thousands of years, it is better known as an ingredient
in paints, fiber and cattle feed. Flax seeds produce a vegetable
oil known as flaxseed or linseed oil; it is one of the oldest commercial
oils and solvent-processed flax seed oil has been used for centuries
as a drying oil in painting and varnishing.
One tablespoon
of ground flax seeds and three tablespoons of water may serve as a replacement
for one egg in baking by binding the other
ingredients
together. Ground flax seeds can also be mixed in with oatmeal, yogurt,
wafer (similar to Metamucil), or any other food item where a nutty
flavor is appropriate. Flax seed sprouts are edible, with a slightly
spicy flavor.
Excessive consumption of flax seeds can cause diarrhea.
A good omega 3 / 6 / 9 blend is 2 tablespoons of organic unrefined
whole flaxseeds, 1 tablespoon of organic whole pumpkin seeds, 1 tablespoon
of organic whole sunflower seeds. Combine and blend until a powder,
add
to anything you like other than hot food or take 2 tablespoons straight
from the spoon per day.
Flax seeds are chemically stable while whole and milled flaxseed
can be stored at least 4 months at room temperature with minimal
or no
changes in taste, smell, or chemical markers of rancidity. Ground
flaxseed can
go rancid at room temperature in as little as one week. Refrigeration
and storage in sealed containers will keep ground flax from becoming
rancid for even longer.
Raw flax seed contains the chemical hydrogen cyanide (HCN) or cyanogenic
glucosides which can be toxic if consumed in large quantities.
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