Is their a difference?

[Mary Jo]

Hello everyone,

Is their a difference between flax oil and ground flax seed? (other than the obvious - oil/seed) Are the benefits the same?

Just wondering.

Mary Jo

[Becky]

It depends on the "cut" of oil. Flax oil without the statement "high lignan" does not have the phytoestrogens and other potential good stuff. The ground seed has everything - to include a healthy dose of fiber whereas the oil has omega 3 (no matter what the cut) and the oil with the high lignans added back (after squeezing the oil from the seeds) has almost everything but the fiber.

If you are ER/PR neg - I would eat the ground seeds (and even though I am mildly ER+, I do eat flax meal but only once a week - I would do so several days a week if I was negative). I take the oil, without the lignans sparingly a couple of times a week (as it does not have much if any phytoestrogens). It is the same rationale that eating an orange is much better for you than drinking the pulpfree juice.

[Mary Jo]

Thanks Becky. I do the ground flax and take a separate omega 3 oil - Nordic Natural's Cod Liver Oil with D. So, looks like I'm covered. I was curious.

Hugs,

MJ