Spectrum Organics (Spectrum Essentials) Flax Oil Organic 24 oz

Flax Oil (Organic) 24 fl OZ by Spectrum

Flax Oil is nature's richest source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 essential fatty acid your body naturally converts to EPA and DHA - the same fatty acids in fish oil that support heart health, reduce inflammation and improve cellular integrity.

Our organic flax oil is always fresh and never bitter due to our proprietary 3-step organic filtration process that removes impurities. The result is a clean, fresh-tasting golden oil. Available as a liquid as well as softgels for those who find a capsule easier to incorporate into their diet.

What is Flax Seed?
Flax seeds are a great source of fiber, lignans, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. We will examine each of these nutrients.

Fiber

Flax seeds are an excellent source of fiber. They contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. They also contain a special fiber called mucilage. Mucilage helps stabilize blood sugar levels, and is a natural laxative.

Dietary fiber is important because it keeps the digestive system functioning properly. It enhances our body's ability to use other dietary nutrients. Fiber goes through our digestive tract almost completely undigested. Once it reaches the colon and/or the large intestine, fiber is then broken down.

FLAX SEEDS AND FLAX OIL

THE RICH NUTRIENTS IN FLAX

Flax oil and flax seeds are being rediscovered as true health foods. They definitely merit being included on any top-ten list of foods that are good for you. Flax is not a new food. It is actually one of the older and, perhaps, one of the original "health foods," treasured because of its healing properties throughout the Roman empire. Flax was one of the original "medicines" used by Hippocrates. Flax could be dubbed the "forgotten oil." It has fallen out of favor because oil manufacturers have found nutritious oils to be less profitable. The very nutrients that give flax its nutritional benefits - essential fatty acids - also give it a short shelf life, making it more expensive to produce, transport, and store. Yet, those who are nutritionally in the know continue to rank flax high on the list of "must have" foods. Because of the flurry of scientific studies validating the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids, flax oil has graduated from the refrigerator of "health food nuts" to a status of scientific respectability.

I seldom leave home in the morning without having my daily tablespoon of flax oil or 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal. Besides being the best source of omega 3's, flax oil is a good source of omega 6, or linoleic acid (LA). Sunflower, safflower, and sesame oil are greater sources of omega 6 fatty acids but they don't contain any omega-3 fatty acids. Flax oil is 45 to 60 percent the omega-3 fatty acid alphalinolenic acid (ALA).

In addition to nutritious fats, flax seeds contain other nutrients which make eating the whole seed superior to consuming just the extracted oil:

• Flax seeds contain a high quality protein.
• Flax seeds are rich in soluble fiber. The combination of the oil and the fiber makes flaxseeds an ideal laxative.
• Flax seeds contain vitamins B-1, B-2, C, E, and carotene. These seeds also contain iron, zinc, and trace amounts of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin E and carotene, two nutrients which aid the metabolism of the oil.
• Flax seeds contain over a hundred times more of a phytonutrient, known as lignin, than any of its closest competitors, such as wheat bran, buckwheat, rye, millet, oats, and soybeans. Lignins seem to flush excess estrogen out of the body. Besides anti-tumor properties, lignins also seem to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Flax seeds, because they contain some protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and lignins, are more nutritious than their oil. Yet, for practical purposes, most consumers prefer simply using the oil for its omega-3 fatty acids and not having to bother with grinding the seeds. But nutritionally speaking, it's worth the trouble to grind fresh flax seeds (say, in a coffee grinder) and sprinkle them as a seasoning on salads or cereals, or mix them into muffins. When buying seeds, be sure they are whole, not split; splitting exposes the inner seed to light and heat and decreases the nutritional value. Or, buy pre-ground flax seeds, available as flaxseed meal. One ounce of flaxseed meal (approximately 4 tbsp.) will yield about 6 grams of protein, and 8 grams of fiber.

How can Flax seed and Flax seed oil help you physically?

Flax oil, flax seeds, and the omega-3 fatty acids they contain are good for your health. Here are some of the ways flax helps your body.

Flax and Flax seed oil promotes cardiovascular health. The ultra-high levels of omega-3 fatty acids lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Fish oils and algae are also good sources of essential fatty acids.

Flax and Flax seed oil promotes colon health. It is a natural lubricant and a rich fiber source, it lowers the risk of constipation.

Flax and Flax seed oil supplements can boost immunity. One study showed that school children supplemented with less than a teaspoon of flax oil a day had fewer and less severe respiratory infections than children not supplemented with flax oil.

Flax and Flax seed oil provides fats that are precursors for brain building. This is especially important at the stage of life when a child's brain grows the fastest, in utero and during infancy. A prudent mom should consider supplementing her diet with a daily tablespoon of flax oil during her pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Flax and Flax seed oil promotes healthy skin. I have used flax oil as a dietary supplement in my patients who seem to have dry skin or eczema, or whose skin is particularly sun-sensitive.

Flax and Flax seed oil may lessen the severity of diabetes by stabilizing blood-sugar levels.

Flax and Flax seed oil fat can be slimming. Fats high in essential fatty acids, such as flax, increase the body's metabolic rate, helping to burn the excess, unhealthy fats in the body. Eating the right kind of fat gives you a better fighting chance of your body storing the right amount of fats. This is called thermogenesis , a process in which specialized fat cells throughout the body (called brown fat) click into high gear and burn more fat when activated by essential fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). I have personally noticed that I crave less fat overall when I get enough of the healthy fats. A daily supplement of omega 3 fatty acids may be an important part of weight control programs.

USING FLAX OIL

• Don't use flax oil for cooking. Oils high in essential fatty acids are not good for cooking. In fact, heat can turn these healthy fats into harmful ones. Add flax oil to foods after cooking and just before serving.
• Flax has many virtues, but it also has one vice: it turns rancid quickly. Healthy fats spoil quickly, with olive oil being an exception to the rule. (The fats with a long shelf life are the hydrogenated shortenings, which of course are bad for you.) To prevent spoilage, follow these tips:
  • Purchase only refrigerated flax oil stored in black containers.
  • Keep your flax oil in the refrigerator with the lid on tight. Minimize exposure to heat, light, and air.
  • Because the oil is likely to turn rancid within six weeks of pressing, buy flax oil in smaller containers (8-12 ounces, depending on how fast you use it). In our family, we go through approximately four tablespoons of flax oil a day, using it mainly in our School-Ade smoothie.
• Flax oil taken with a meal can actually increase the nutritional value of other foods . Research shows that adding flax oil to foods rich in sulfated amino acids, such as cultured dairy products (i.e., yogurt), vegetables of the cabbage family, and animal, seafood, and soy proteins helps the essential fatty acids become incorporated into cell membranes. Mixing flax oil with yogurt helps to emulsify the oil, improving its digestion and metabolism by the body.
• Flax oil works best in the body when it's taken along with antioxidants, such as vitamins E, carotene, and other nutrients, such as vitamin B6 and magnesium. While a tablespoon of flax oil a day might not keep the doctor away entirely, it's bound to help.

What makes the oil better than capsules? • No bulky, hard to swallow capsules to worry about. 
• You would have to take 8-10 capsules to get the equivalent of one tbs. of oil.
• Cold-pressed method preserves the natural nutty taste, freshness and nutritional particulates.
• Nitrogen packaging ensures purity and prevents oxidation.
• Perfect for vegetarians (no gluten, preservatives, artificial flavors, salt, sugar or or animal by products).

What does it do? Studies have shown that using an oil like this on a regular basis supplies the essential fatty acids, amino acids, anti-oxidants, and phyto-nutrients needed to repair nails, skin cells and hair follicles. Flax Oilalso shields the skin from wrinkling, boosts production of new skin, hair and nails. 
Why is flax seed oil important? Because over 80% of Americans suffer a deficiency of the EFA's contained in flax seed oil—A deficiency that is implicated in over 60 diseases!

Benefits of using Flax oil

• Health Beauty Fitness - Promotes weight loss, improved health, flawless skin, gorgeous hair and beautiful nails.
• Heart Disease - Lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke by helping to keep the arteries free of plaque and cholesterol.
• Diabetes - Hinders the development of Type II diabetes. Exerts favorable effects on blood sugar level and insulin activity. Aids in circulation.
• Hypertension - Reduces blood pressure. Helps lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Arthritis - Reduce pain, inflamation, and swelling associated with arthritis.
• Anti-oxidants - Contains a high level of anti-oxidants (880 ppm).
• Nutrients - Increases vitamin D levels and retention of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. Has naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, amino acids and EFA's.