Frequently Asked Questions
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What is flaxseed? What health benefits does it provide?
Flax is an ancient crop. Native to Eurasia, its first recorded use comes from Babylon — about 3000 B.C. There, it was cultivated for food. It also was used to make a fabric used in clothing. (These days, linen comes from flax). Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician called the "father of medicine," wrote of using flaxseed for the relief of abdominal pain. And, the greatest of all medieval kings, Charlemagne, considered flax so healthy that he passed laws requiring its consumption.
Nutrition researchers have identified several substances in flaxseed that appear to have health benefits: lignans, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Lignans are phytoestrogens (phyto = plant) that are thought to bind to estrogen receptors in the body and may have a role in preventing hormonally related cancers of the breast, endometrium and prostate. Populations with higher intakes of phytoestrogens seem to have a lower incidence and mortality from these cancers. The American Institute for Cancer Research has funded a study testing the effects on lignans and breast tumor development in humans. Although lignans are found in most unrefined grains (barley, buckwheat, millet and oats), soybeans, and some vegetables (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and spinach), flaxseed is the richest source. A daily consumption of 5 to 25 grams of ground flaxseed has been used in most studies.
Flaxseed contains both soluble and insoluble fiber (about 28 grams total fiber per 100 grams of flaxseed). About one-third of the fiber is soluble. Studies have found that the soluble fiber in flaxseed — like that found in oat bran and fruit pectin — can help lower cholesterol. Soluble fiber also has been found to help regulate blood sugar levels.
The remaining two-thirds of the fiber in flaxseed is insoluble. Insoluble fiber aids digestion by increasing bulk, reducing the time that waste remains in the body and preventing constipation. These characteristics seem to have a role in protecting against cancer.
Flaxseed also is rich in alpha-linolenic acid that is both an essential fatty acid and an omega-3 fatty acid. Researchers are interested in omega-3 fatty acids for their roles in proper infant growth and development, reducing risk factors for heart disease and stroke (regulation of cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, blood clotting), immune and inflammatory disorders.
There are concerns that a typical Western diet has too little omega-3 fat compared to omega-6 fat (which comes from vegetable oils). Canadian dietary guidelines recommend a daily intake of 1.0 to 1.5 grams of omega-3 fat (found in 1 teaspoon of flaxseed oil). Although there is no specific U.S. dietary guideline for omega-3 fat, health experts agree that foods containing this fat should be a part of a healthy diet. Other omega-3 containing foods include walnuts, soybean and canola oils, and fatty fish (salmon, swordfish, mackerel and herring). There also are omega-3 enriched eggs from hens that are fed flaxseed.
Incorporating flaxseed into a diet is simple and can add a tasty twist to routine foods and dishes. The small, reddish-brown whole seeds have a nutty taste and can be sprinkled over salads, soups, yogurt or cereals. Whole (or ground) flaxseed can replace some of the flour in bread, muffin, pancake and cookie recipes. Because of its high fat content, it can also be used to replace part or all of the fat in baked goods recipes. (One cup of flaxseed may replace 1/3 cup fat). Time in the oven should be adjusted to allow for more rapid browning when using flaxseed in baked goods. Flaxseed oil also is readily available and may be substituted for other oils.
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Are Foods Alive flax crackers a Raw Food?
This question is a bit tricky to answer as it really depends on your definition on "Raw", but our short answer is Yes! We choose to use the term "Living Food" since all of our flax crackers are dehydrated at a very low temperature to preserve the living enzymes in the flaxseed. You can take the crumbs from the bottom of a bag, put it in some dirt, water it, and watch it grow!
Wikipedia's definition: "Raw describes a material that is in its natural unprocessed form." Since we soak our flaxseed in water, they technically are no longer "Raw", but since we do not heat them enough to destroy the living enzymes, most people still consider them a "Raw Food".
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What is the best way to consure Flaxseed?
Our flax crackers make it easy for everyone to make flaxseed a daily part of your diet! Eat them right from the bag, top them with your favorite spread, use them like croutons on your salad, and so much more!
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What is the difference between Gold and Brown flaxseed?
Nutritionally not much… our main reason for using golden flaxseed is taste. Golden flaxseed usually has a lighter nuttier flavor, while brown flaxseed can be a little bitter.
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How much flaxseed should I eat?
Each serving of flaxseed provides 35-40% of your daily fiber intake. So three (3) servings of flaxseed everyday will provide your body with the necessary fiber it needs. (As you add fiber to your diet, it is very important to drink plenty of fluids, since fiber draws water into the intestines.)
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Can I eat too much flaxseed?
As with anything, you have to have balance. Flaxseed contains a wonder balance of both soluble and insoluble fiber. If you are constipated, flax helps to break down and push your movements along. If you are loose (diarrhea), flax helps to bulk up and ease your movements along. Although excessive intakes of dietary fiber may interfere with the absorption of some nutrients, moderate intakes (i.e., 20 - 35 grams/day) do not appear to pose a problem for the healthy adult.
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How long does flaxseed/meal/oil last?
Whole flaxseed can last for over a year at room temperature and even longer when kept cold in a refrigerator or freezer.
Flax meal should be made fresh whenever needed to help ensure quality and flavor. It can be kept in a refrigerator/freezer to maximize shelf life, but should be used within a couple of days.
Flax oil usually lasts around 6 months from the time of pressing and may be kept longer if frozen. Only buy flax oil with a “Pressed On” date shown on the bottle. Some companies add preservatives to make their flax oil last longer or to make it shelf-stable, but we prefer not to consume preservatives.
The easiest way to tell if your flax products are no longer good is to simply smell them. They will start to smell a bit fishy when they are reaching the end of their life cycle.
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At what temperature do you dehydrate your flax crackers?
Our process is proprietary for patent reasons. However, we can tell you that it is done at a low enough temperature to not destroy the enzymes in the flaxseed. We have taken our finished cracker and sprouted them to ensure that the living enzymes are still intact.
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Does flaxseed need to be ground up?
Not necessarily, the flaxseed in our Flax Crackers is soaked in water and then dehydrated. Soaking breaks down the hard outer shell and starts the life process. Dehydrating then makes the seed crunchy so you can easily chew them with your teeth. This chewing process also brings your own digestive enzymes in to the equation making the flax even more digestible. However, if you are eating unsoaked flaxseed, it is best to grind it.
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Can flaxseed help me to lose weight?
Yes it can help, but just like everything else you need to follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. For more info about weight lose, see The Fiber35 Diet by Brenda Watson, C.N.C. and also
The Perricone Weight-Loss Diet by Dr. Nicholas Perricone, M.D., FACN
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What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. They are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. Extensive research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. These essential fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly important for cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioral function. In fact, infants who do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers during pregnancy are at risk for developing vision and nerve problems. Symptoms of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency include extreme tiredness (fatigue), poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and poor circulation.
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Which is better? Flax oil or Fish Oil?
This is a highly debated topic... Fish Oil contains EPA and DHA Omega-3’s; while Flax Oil contains ALA Omega-3’s which the body can convert into EPA and DHA Omega-3’s. We prefer Flax oil for a number of reasons; it is a renewable plant source that is organically farmed, minimally processed, and easily replanted; while fish oils can be ecologically damaging, highly processed (to remove heavy metals and other possible contaminates) and fish levels are irreplaceably depleted. You can find more information about this topic in our Research Center.
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Are Foods Alive products Gluten Free and Nut Free?
Yes, ALL of the products we make at Foods Alive are Gluten Free, Nut Free, and Vegan. We use dedicated equipment for our products, and we do NOT manufacture any products that contain wheat, gluten, tree nuts, or animal product of any kind.
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Can flaxseed help protect against cancer?
Flaxseed oil is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, beneficial for heart and brain health and helpful in treating inflammatory conditions. Research shows flaxseed is also important because it contains lignans, highly potent phytochemicals that are similar to isoflavones found in soy. Flax lignans are converted into the types of lignans that have been shown to protect against cancer in cell and animal studies. The most plausible reason: Lignans structurally resemble estrogens and may function as weak estrogens or estrogen antagonists (Journal of Steroid Biochemistry, 1987, vol. 27, no. 4).
Research shows breast cancer patients have low levels of these lignans, suggesting that consumption of them may exert cancer-preventive or protective effects (Clinics in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 1998, vol. 12, no. 4). While lignans are found in a variety of legumes and grains, flaxseed by far provides the greatest abundance of these important phytochemicals.
Dan Lukaczer, ND is director of clinical services at the Functional Medicine Research Center, a division of HealthComm International Inc., in Gig Harbor, Wash.
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Can I cook with Flax Oil or Hemp Oil?
No, cooking with flax or hemp oil is not recommended. The Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids are very delicate and high heat will destroy them. But, you can use it after cooking on a number of dishes. Pour yourself a bowl of soup, then add some of our High Lignan flax oil to make it a creamy delight, this is great for potato soups or any others that call for milk! You can use the Mike's Special, Sweet Mustard, Sweet & Sassy Flax, or Sweet & Sassy Hemp dressings on salad, on meats as a dipping/marinade sauce, on sauteed veggies or pasta's, rice dishes, sandwiches or wraps, and more. If you have a favorite way of enjoying our oils and dressings, please tell us!
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