How to get the benefits from flax seed?

jc6733
jc6733 Posts: 10 Member
edited October 20 in Food and Nutrition
Flax seed Is known as a great item to include in the diet. I have incorporated it into my diet now for a few months. It is known to have omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants and of course fiber.

My question for you is:
Should you eat the seed form (which I have been doing) or is it better to eat it ground up or as an oil?

My mom informed me the other day that she heard the body can't digest the full seed form and the ground form is better because it releases all of the nutrients.

Is this true?

Replies

  • ZombieChaser
    ZombieChaser Posts: 1,555 Member
    Flax seed Is known as a great item to include in the diet. I have incorporated it into my diet now for a few months. It is known to have omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants and of course fiber.

    My question for you is:
    Should you eat the seed form (which I have been doing) or is it better to eat it ground up or as an oil?

    My mom informed me the other day that she heard the body can't digest the full seed form and the ground form is better because it releases all of the nutrients.

    Is this true?

    As per my Naturopath - you get the same amount of nutrients in either the seed form or the ground alternative. Personally - I eat my flax ground, b/c i can incorporate it into many things - therefore increasing my intake.

    I'm not sure about the oil... I've never taking it that way.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    Always use freshly ground up flax seeds. The moment flax seeds (and all other seeds and nuts) are ground up, the vitamins in them start to oxidize and the fats are getting rancid. Buying ground up flax seeds (or other seeds and nuts) is a waste of money and health, as it is a deteriorated product. You have to grind them up yourself, in a coffee grinder or seed grinder, and immediately put them into your food and eat them.

    Do not cook, heat ruins them too.

    I learned this from my Naturopath also. I bought a coffee grinder just to use for Flax.
  • jc6733
    jc6733 Posts: 10 Member
    That's good to know! Thanks. I have a coffee grinder already so I will try it grinded up in future use.

    Also, what do you use a Naturopath for?
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    That's good to know! Thanks. I have a coffee grinder already so I will try it grinded up in future use.

    Also, what do you use a Naturopath for?

    My naturopath is pretty much my general doctor. I don't care for conventional medical doctors as I don't think along their same line of thinking.

    However, I have recently found a general practioner who is Paleo just like me so he and my Naturopath have been working together, which is awesome!! I had to have a regular GP named for insurance purposed, which sucks.
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