Is their a difference?
 

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

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.

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