Flax Oil
Contents:
Season for Flax Oil
Flax Oil Described
How to Buy and Store Flax Oil
How to Cook Flax Oil
Health Benefits of Flax Oil
Why Buy Natural and Organic Flax Oil
Season for Flax Oil Available Year Round
Flax Oil Described
For all of us jumping back onto the fat wagon, Flax Oil is one to be reckoned with (one of those ‘good’ fats). It’s long been revered for its healing properties – growing for some 7,000 years in Southern Mesopotamia! According to ancient folklore, the seeds were crushed and blended with mustard to make a poultice for inflamed skin, as well as used to regulate the bowels and as an antidote for poisoning. And: Did you know that Flax Oil and Linseed Oil are the same thing? But, you certainly shouldn’t ingest the industrial types of Linseed Oil found in hardware stores, for they likely contain poisonous additives…
How to Buy and Store Flax Oil
When purchasing Flaxseed Oil, look for an opaque bottle to prevent any light from spoiling it. Flax oil is particularly sensitive to rancidity (oxidation), so be sure to check your expiration dates. Also, keep it refrigerated for freshness. It could be in your best interest to purchase Flax Oil in small quantities that you can use within a few weeks, if at all possible. Should the oil develop a powerful odor, it’s time to chuck it.
How to Cook Flax Oil
Folks, don’t use Flax Oil for cooking. Oils high in essential fatty acids are not good for cooking, for heat can turn these healthy fats into harmful ones. Instead, add Flax Oil to foods after they have been cooked or heated. Brush it onto corn on the cob, spread it on bread with a pastry brush, drizzle it over salads and steamed vegetables and use it to make salad dressings and marinades. Feel free to add it into cooked dishes at the end such as soups and stews; adds flavor, depth and major health points.
Health Benefits of Flax Oil
While Flax Seeds are the whole form of Flax Oil – and some of the original health benefits are lost in the oil’s extraction – Flax Oil is a concentrated source of omega-3 fatty acids (specifically alpha-linolenic acid or ALA). The reason being is that the oil is where the omega 3s reside. One tablespoon of Flax Seeds contains 2.35 grams while one tablespoon of Flax Oil contains 7.25 grams.
These omega-3s carry a host of benefits, practically too innumerable to name: They help lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease and control high blood pressure, aid the proper development of the brain and vision and have a beneficial role in other disease prevention, including hypertension, cancer and inflammatory and immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. We could go on…
Why Buy Natural and Organic Flax Oil
Luckily, farming flax requires few fertilizers or pesticides… theoretically. That said, conventional farmers might use ’em anyways. The only way to ensure you are ingesting the healthiest form of this incredibly healthy food is to purchase it from a certified organic source. Organic Flax Oil is sure to have been grown and processed in a sustainable, healthy way. Let’s keep this health food healthy!
image: Nick@
