If you'd like to speak with Bernadette about your specific nutrition questions, please call the Resource Center, 415.885.3693, to schedule a free appointment. Flax is a small reddish-brown seed with many purported health benefits. Originally coming from Babylon, this ancient crop was used, among other things, to make a fabric. Lignans are plant estrogens, also called phytoestrogens, which bind to estrogen receptors in the body and are thought to have a role in reducing the risk of hormonally related cancers such as breast, endometrium and prostate cancer. In addition to being a rich source of lignans, flaxseed is high in insoluble fiber, which helps to prevent constipation and may also have a role in protecting against cancer.
Flaxseed is also rich in linseed oil.
You can buy the actual flaxseed, ground flaxmeal, or flaxseed oil. Flaxseed has the longest shelf life in its seed form and the shortest shelf life in its oil form. Since flaxseed oil can easily become rancid, refrigerate the oil and look for an expiration date on the oil when you purchase it. Flaxseed can be incorporated into recipes either as whole or ground seeds. To get the most health benefit, I suggest grinding the seeds in a coffee-type grinder as this makes the seeds easier to digest.