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Organic Golden Flaxseed Basic Information

20th August, 2009 - Posted by health news - No Comments

We hear, see, and read so much about organic golden flaxseed in advertisements, but what is it exactly? And more importantly, what does it do for our health? Organic flaxseed comes from the flax plant, an annual plant that has slender stems and grows to 1.2 meters. This plant produces seeds that come in two basic varieties: brown and golden. For consumption purposes, the golden kind is often preferred to the brown variety because of its color and what some consider to be a nuttier taste; the latter is more commonly grown for linseed oil, paint, solvents, fiber, and cattle feed.

A lot of nutrients can be found in organic flaxseed, such as anti-oxidants, magnesium, most B-vitamins, fiber, and fatty acids. Among its positive effects on the body are: reduced cancer, diabetes and heart disease risks, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, a boosted immune system, lessened arthritis pain, relief from diarrhea and constipation, stabilized blood sugar, weight management enhancement, as well as hormone-balancing, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial effects.

They come in various forms: whole, ground, as oil, or can be sold as powders and capsules. For best results, however, get it in whole seed form, as it has the highest nutritional value. Purchased seeds that have already been ground don’t possess the same value since they have been exposed to oxygen.

If you want to take the organic golden flax seeds regularly, grind them in a coffee grinder or blender, and add 1/8 to 1/4 cup of the seeds to your juice or your cereal, and you’re good to go. Meal suggestions include adding it to casseroles, meatballs, or meatloaf. You can also put them on baked breads and pastries or add them to yoghurt and salads.

One important thing to remember when having golden flaxseed is to always drink a lot of water. Another thing is to begin your regimen with just a little amount of seeds, then slowly build it up over time to avoid unwanted laxative effects due to its high fiber content.

The seeds can be stored for up to a year in room temperature as long as they’re preserved whole. As much as possible, only grind them when needed. Once ground, seal them in an air-tight container; these must be consumed within a few days, however. If not used in days, you can keep them in the freezer for a month. The exception is MeadowPure processed flaxseed which can be stored for up to 5 years whole or up to 2 years if milled.

Organic golden flax seeds are products of the flax plant, which also produces brown seeds. These organic flaxseeds are very beneficial to one’s health and contain lots of nutrients. When ground, these can be included in lots of recipes, but they are best bought whole. Always drink a lot of water when taking the seeds, gradually increase your seed intake over time, and properly store them.