anyone else been taking this in extra supplements? some people say it does a lot of good. what is the general consesus?
I take it every morning in my cereal. The crushed seed is suppose to be more effective than the liquid. The general consensus from all the health experts is the stuff is very good for your health.
I use it for the Fiber, According to Wikipedia: It is an erect annual plant growing to 1.2 m tall, with slender stems. The leaves are glaucous green, slender lanceolate, 20-40 mm long and 3 mm broad. The flowers are pure pale blue, 15-25 mm diameter, with five petals. The fruit is a round, dry capsule 5-9 mm diameter, containing several glossy brown seeds shaped like an apple pip, 4-7 mm long. Flax seed Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) Energy 530 kcal 2230 kJ Carbohydrates 28.88 g - Sugars 1.55 g - Dietary fiber 27.3 g Fat 42.16 g Protein 18.29 g Thiamin (Vit. B1) 1.644 mg 126% Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.161 mg 11% Niacin (Vit. B3) 3.08 mg 21% Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.985 mg 20% Vitamin B6 0.473 mg 36% Folate (Vit. B9) 0 μg 0% Vitamin C 0.6 mg 1% Calcium 255 mg 26% Iron 5.73 mg 46% Magnesium 392 mg 106% Phosphorus 642 mg 92% Potassium 813 mg 17% Zinc 4.34 mg 43% Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient database Flax seeds come in two basic varieties, brown and yellow or golden, with most types having similar nutritional values and equal amounts of short-chain omega-3 fatty acids. The exception is a type of yellow flax called Linola or solin, which has a completely different oil profile and is very low in omega-3. Although brown flax can be consumed as readily as yellow, and has been for thousands of years, it is better known as an ingredient in paints, fibre and cattle feed. Flax seeds produce a vegetable oil known as flaxseed or linseed oil; it is one of the oldest commercial oils and solvent-processed flax seed oil has been used for centuries as a drying oil in painting and varnishing. One tablespoon of ground flax seeds and three tablespoons of water may serve as a replacement for one egg in baking by binding the other ingredients together. Ground flax seeds can also be mixed in with oatmeal, yogurt, wafer (similar to Metamucil), or any other food item where a nutty flavour is appropriate. Flax seed sprouts are edible, with a slightly spicy flavour. Excessive consumption of flax seeds can cause diarrhea.[2] Though flax seeds are chemically stable while whole, ground whole seeds or oils become rancid much more quickly upon exposure to oxygen, and require special storage (generally refrigeration or in sealed packaging) to remain nutritious for even a short period of time.[3 Flaxseeds contain high levels of lignans and Omega-3 fatty acids. Lignans may benefit the heart, possess anti-cancer properties and studies performed on mice found reduced growth in specific types of tumours. Initial studies suggest that flaxseed taken in the diet may benefit individuals with certain types of breast[4][5] and prostate cancers.[6] Flax may also lessen the severity of diabetes by stabilizing blood-sugar levels.[7] There is some support for the use of flax seed as a laxative due to its dietary fiber content[2] though excessive consumption without liquid can result in intestinal blockage.[8] Consuming large amounts of flax seed can impair the effectiveness of certain oral medications, due to its fiber content.[8]
