FAQs - Flax Seed Oil
1) What
are the quantities of EFAs and nutrients in Omega Flax Seed
Oil?
2) Why should I get my
EFAs from Flax Seed Oil and not Fish Oil?
3) Why do I need to take
Flax Oil Daily?
4) Are there any side
effects to taking Flax Seed Oil?
5) Is Flax Seed Oil the
same as paint thinner? Is it harmful?
6) Is Flax Seed Oil a
good source of estrogen?
7) Does Flax Seed Oil
have an effect on cholesterol levels?
8) Can I use Flax Seed
Oil in salad dressings?
9) When should I take
my Flax Seed Oil?
10) I take my Flax Seed
Oil in hot water, is this OK?
11) Should Flax Seed
Oil and Essential Balance® be bitter to the taste?
12) Does Flax Seed Oil
have a strong taste?
13) Can I cook with
Flax Seed Oil?
14) Will repeatedly
opening my bottle of Flax Seed Oil diminish its quality?
15) What is the yield
of cold-pressed Flax Seed Oil from flax seeds?
The fatty acid profile for
our Flax Seed Oil is:
- 54% Omega-3
- 15% Omega-6
- 21% Omega-9
Although fish oil also contains
EFAs, it actually has much less omega-3 EFA than flax seed
oil. Also, fish oil is high in cholesterol (a sterol found
exclusively in animals) and may contain detectable heavy metals
and contaminants. Flax seed oil is suitable for vegetarian
diets, contains no cholesterol and has a pleasant, nutty taste.
It is necessary to take flax
seed oil daily because Omega Nutrition's cold-pressed flax
seed oil delivers Omega-3 and Omega-6, which the human body
cannot synthesize. We use about 20 fatty acids to maintain
normal function. Our bodies can synthesize all but two, Omega-3
and Omega-6. They must be obtained in proper balance through
foods or supplements, which the modern diet does not typically
provide. A deficiency in either leads to poor health.
Omega Nutrition's unrefined,
organic flax seed oil is an excellent source of Omega-3 and
Omega-6 EFAs. Each tablespoon serving of Omega Nutrition flax
seed oil provides 72 IU of Vitamin A and 2.8 IU of Vitamin
E (which is a beneficial addition to one's daily intake
of antioxidants).
Usually only good ones! The
initial effects may include softer skin, healthier hair and
increased energy levels. As with anything, problems can occur
when something is taken in excess. (See how to incorporate
Essential Oils into your diet below). Taking too much flaxseed
oil can overload the liver with fats. The liver is responsible
for breaking down and restructuring nutrients and excess fats
can hinder the liver's filtering process. The recommended
intake is no more than 30% of daily calories from fat.
NO - Omega Nutrition's
flax-based products are not harmful. Only when submitted to
heat, oxygen and an aging process of at least one-year will
flax oil convert to linseed oil, which is used to condition
wood. Any food ingested after it's freshness life or after
exposure to elements resulting in a chemical alteration of
the food substance can be dangerous!
The Omega-3 and Omega-6 in
flax oils are delicate and sensitive to heat and oxygen exposure.
We cold-press at temperatures under 99°F/37°C. The valuable
nutrients found in flax seeds are preserved by our processing
method (the omegaflo® process), which excludes heat, light,
oxygen and reactive metals. We also print the pressing date
and the expiration date on all labels to ensure you receive
only the freshest product.
Flax seeds are high in a fiber
called lignans, which have been shown to have estrogen-balancing
effects. When plant lignans are digested they convert into
a form of lignan used by humans. Lignans are structurally
similar to estrogens and can work as estrogen or anti-estrogen
within the body. If you have low levels of estrogen in your
body, lignans will act as estrogens. Whereas, if you have
high levels of estrogen, lignans will bind to estrogen receptors
and block the powerful effects of estrogen. Omega Nutrition
offers five flax-based products that are high in lignans:
- Hi-Lignan® Flax Oil
- Cold-Milled Flax Seeds
- Nutri-Flax®
- Whole flax seeds
- Essential Balance®
So many body systems benefit
from flax and has been shown to have a positive effect on:
- Your heart, skin, brain
development and ADD and ADHD, and the immune system and
allergic response, due to the roles that essential fatty
acids, Omega-3 and Omega-6, play in the body.
- Discouraging tumor growth.
Yes. Omega-3 EFAs tend to balance
cholesterol levels in the blood and are known to lower LDL
(bad) cholesterol levels while effectively raising HDL (good)
cholesterol levels. Cholesterol plays an important function
within the body as the starting point for the production of
bile, sex hormones and vitamin D, as well as serving as part
of the structural support of cell membranes. By providing
the raw material needed for the body to create HDL cholesterol
you are taking an active role in improving your health and
reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes that can result
from high LDL cholesterol levels.
Yes, you can use flax seed
oil in salad dressings. In an effort to fulfill a variety
of nutritional - not to mention taste - preferences, Omega
Nutrition has created a variety of oils rich in essential
fatty acids and flavor. Try some of our flavor alternatives
when making salad dressings, like our Hi-Lignan® Flax Oil
and Garlic-Chili Flax Oil.
You can take your flax seed
oil anytime and anywhere, but making it part of your normal
routine is best, 1 Tbsp. daily, in a meal or snack.
The EFAs in Flax Oil are very
sensitive to heat and should never be subjected to temperatures
above 120°F/49°C. If your water reaches temperatures above
this point, you run the risk of compromising the quality of
this EFA-rich oil instead add it to your salad dressings,
drizzle it over cooked pasta, and more. See our Flaxing the
Right Way for more great recipes and ideas.
Fresh oils should not be bitter
to the taste. The polyunsaturated fats in Flax Seed Oil and
Essential Balance¨ tend to oxidize more rapidly than monounsaturated
and saturated fats, which can result in a slightly bitter
taste. We process our oils at low temperatures to preserve
the freshness of these oils and maintain the natural antioxidant
Vitamins A and E found within the seeds. To ensure that you
are purchasing the freshest oil possible, look for the pressing
date on Flax Seed Oil bottles and the best before date, also
make sure when purchasing from the health food store that
the oil is always stored in a cooler.
The taste is slightly nutty
but not strong - (although taste is a matter of individual
taste)- most of our customers love the taste of flaxseed oil.
The taste of flax oil can vary slightly depending on the variety
of seed. We guarantee with every flax oil product that you
are receiving the highest quality, organic, unrefined, nutritional
oil available.
No, Flax Seed Oil has a high
essential fatty acid profile and is a cold preparation oil
that should be raised to a temperature of no more than 120°F/49°C
due to the delicate polyunsaturated fats found in this oil.
You can add it to your food after cooking, as well as, include
it in cold preparation dressings.
Yes, this is one of the reasons
we provide the flip-top lids, which limits the airflow within
the bottle. This is another of the preventative measures we
take to maintain the freshness and nutritional value of all
our oils.
The cold-pressed omegaflo¨
process yields 37% yield oil from the flax seed, which is
equivalent to 3.7 pounds of Flax Seed Oil yielded from every
ten pounds of flax seeds.
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