Flax has the highest concentration of Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) of any known plant. It also has a higher content of lignans,that is between 75 and 800 times that found in any other grain or vegetable. These two components have been shown to exert a beneficial effect as dietary supplements. Flax seed is regarded by many as the best omega 3 supplement.

Essential Fatty Acids

Although the levels of fat (both saturated and unsaturated) that we eat on a daily basis is usually well in excess of the body’s requirements (40% as against 15%), we do need a certain amount of fat in our diet. Certain key fatty acids (EFA’s) are absolutely necessary whilst the make up of the others is of little importance.

Within this vitally important group of fatty acids there are two subgroups known as Omega 6 and Omega 3.

Omega 6 comprises
• Linoleic acid

• Arachidonic acid

• Gamma Linolenic acid

Omega 3 comprises
• Alpha Linolenic acid

• Eicosapentaenoic acid

These two groups comprise the Essential Fatty Acids, those acids that we must have present in the diet as we cannot make them in the body for ourselves. The two subgroups are both separately essential meaning that we must have enough of each subgroup in our diet and having more of either one will not compensate for insufficient of the other.

The Omega 6 subgroup occurs widely in many foods and is generally well available. It is especially abundant in most vegetable oils of the kind used for salad oil or for cooking such as corn, sunflower, safflower, canola and soybean oils.

The Omega 3 subgroup is not so well distributed in foods and only occurs in high concentration in fish oil and in Flax, Flax seed or Flax oils. Moderate amounts are present in rapeseed oil, walnut oil and in walnuts themselves and in pumpkin seeds. Therefore a deficiency in Omega 3 is a common nutritional problem in our society.

It is very important to understand the importance of the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 in the diet. Omega 6’s are best used by the body in a ratio of 4:1 to 1:1 to Omega 3’s. The current ratio of 6’s to 3’s is around 20:1 which has led scientists to believe that this imbalance is linked to the high incidence of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, some forms of cancer and inflammation – all of which are becoming more prevalent in our society. Clearly where our diets relies largely on vegetable oils rich in Omega 6’s the reason for the imbalance in ratios becomes apparent. High levels of Omega 6 have been implicated in blood clotting, inflammation and tumour growth.

Omega 3 have the opposite effect in that they assist in modulating the immune system, promote arterial flexibility, prevent blood clotting, regulate inflammation and assist in the promotion of neural networks involved in brain activity in learning, memory and mood regulation.

Flax seed is widely regarded as the best Omega 3 supplement. Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation, so it has benefits for some chronic diseases related to inflammation in the body, like arthritis, heart disease and cancer. As a result of several research reports flax seed with its high content of omega 3 is regarded as a new cure for diabetes.

Research has linked Omega 3 deficiencies to a number of chronic health problems such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis, inflammatory diseases, depression, heart disease, hypertension, loss of memory, weight gain, psoriasis, eczema and ADD (Attention Deficiency Disorder).

Research showed that Omega 3 can aid in the following illnesses: high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, osteoporosis, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, skin disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, macular degeneration, menstrual pain, colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Omega 3 is also excellent for containing high cholesterol.

Flax seed is therefore regarded as the best Omega 3 supplement.

Lignans

Lignans (as opposed to lignin) are phytochemicals that are contained in the cell matrix of Flax. This concentration of lignans is between 75 and 800 times greater than that found in other grain or vegetable sources and in this regard Flax is thought of as a super food. The lignans in 1/8 cup of Flax seed would be the same as 60 cups of fresh broccoli or 100 slices of whole wheat bread.

Lignans, when in a healthy digestive tract, are converted by bacterial interaction into hormone-like substances known as phytoestrogenic compounds. Research suggests that these compounds mimic the body’s own oestrogen type cells and can block the hormone-based tumours such as hormone related cancer of the breast, ovary and prostate. These healthy benefits are of particular importance to menopausal women and middle aged elderly men.

As with all our products the unique method by which we produce the flaxseed powder it retains all the enzymes, vitamins and minerals.

How can you benefit from Flexiflax

Solid research shows that supplementing with Omega 3 can aid in the following illnesses: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, osteoporosis, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, skin disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, macular degeneration, menstrual pain, colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

The two nutritional constituents of flax work together in a number of serious chronic ailments:
• Cardiac disease
◦ Both ALA and Lignans have been shown to reduce fatty deposits along arterial walls thereby improving endothelial function;

◦ Studies have shown that the inflammatory enzyme C-Reactive Protein (CRP) which is strongly associated with heart disease declines within 6 weeks of starting flax supplementation;

◦ ALA has been shown to be inversely associated with the risk of sudden death;

◦ Whilst ALA does not prevent heart attacks it may calm, and even prevent, the arrythmias that are often the cause of heart attacks.

• Diabetes◦Recent research suggests that both ALA and Lignans modulate the immune system - thought to be a major causative factor in Type 2 diabetes;

◦ They both have been shown to increase the body's sensitivity to insulin.

• Cancer ◦ Animal studies demonstrate significant anti-cancer effects of both ALA and Lignans. Flaxseed with its abundance of these two compounds appears to protect against certain cancers such as those of the breast, endometrium, colon and prostate.


• Arthritis ◦ By its ability to limit prostaglandin Arachadonic Acid (AA), a major cause of inflammation, ALA has been shown to significantly reduce pain and improve joint mobility in all forms of arthritis.

• Osteo-porosis
◦ The natural action of flax is two-fold

■ ALA is beneficial to the skeletal system by decreasing the breakdown of bone.
■ The phytoestrogenic properties of the Lignans reduce the impact on the skeleton of the cessation of hormonal estrogen during and after menopause.

◦ These combined effects slow down bone loss and lead to a shift in the balance of bone degradation/formation towards formation.

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis involves inflammation in the joints. Omega 3 reduce inflammation and provide the much needed relief from arthritis to many suffering from this pain.

Flexiflax capsules consist of a minimum of 500mg powder from Flax sprouts high in concentrations of Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids as well as lignans, sterols/sterolins, digestive enzymes, vitamins and minerals. Omega 3 flax seed could be regarded as the best Omega 3 supplement.

Your dogs can benefit from this powder too.  Itchy, unconditioned skin problems can benefit greatly.  Contact directly for tubs of flax powder.