Nutritional and Health Benefits - CANMAR Golden Flaxseed

Essential Fatty Acids Recommendations

Currently, no dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for flax have been established in Canada or the United States. However, the adequate intake of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), serves as the basis for the suggested flax intakes. For optimal health, the National Academy of Science Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends an acceptable level of ALA intake to be 1.6 g/d for men and 1.1 g/d for women. The Flax Council of Canada recommends 1-2 tablespoons a day of ground flax to achieve adequate intakes of ALA and for optimal health

High in Fibre

 Flax is a rich source of dietary fibre. Dietary fibre accounts for about 28% of the weight of a whole flax seed. According to the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada, most North Americans currently consume 12-17g of fibre a day. This is significantly lower than what is recommended. Experts recommend a dietary fibre intake of 25-35g a day as part of a healthy diet. Scientific evidence reveals that high fibre diets help to prevent or treat gastrointestinal disease, constipation, cardiovascular disease, diverticular disease, colon cancer, diabetes, iritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, hypercholesterolemia and obesity.

Lignans for Life

 Flax seed is one of the richest sources of lignans. According to Dr. Thompson of the University of Toronto, flax contains 75 to 800 times more lignans compared to wheat bran, oats, millet, rye, legumes, soybeans and 66 other plant foods tested.  Lignans are a branched fibre and a powerful antioxidant.  Lignans function to strengthen cell walls and maintain cell structure. These lignans are phytoestrogens or plant chemicals that have shown to prevent breast, prostate and colon cancer. The major phytoestrogen in flax is SDG (secoisolariciresinol digylcoside).