Comments on: Everything you wanted to know about flax but were afraid to ask

By: Ground Flax Guy

Ground Flax Guy — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:41:43 +0000

Thanks for answering the question of how much ALA is needed a day. I didn’t know it was just a tablespoon of flax oil a day. Thanks!

By: Tamara

Tamara — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:19:59 +0000

Flaxseed oil itself, like all highly unsaturated fats, is very sensitive to heat and light (which is why its sold in dark bottles and must be kept refrigerated); it oxidizes easily. However, the same is less true for whole flaxseeds and ground flaxseeds, whose fats appear to weather moderately high temps (as in baking) without losing their properties. So, you would never fry anything with flaxseed oil itself, but baking with ground flaxseeds would be fine. Note that I wouldn’t bother baking with whole flaxseeds, as they are notoriously difficult to digest owing to the seed’s exterior; they’re likely to pass through you intact without your benefiting from their omega-3 oils.

By: Deanna

Deanna — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 22:13:41 +0000

Tamara, Thank you for all the great info on your site! I found you by your gigantes bean post, but have been looking around your site for an hour now.

Question: I have read that flax seed should not be heated or cooked. Does it lose something if heated? If so, would that not also apply to baking, as in the muffin recipe?

By: Elaine

Elaine — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:29:27 +0000

Great article and information

Thanks!

By: Jackie Vetter

Jackie Vetter — Sun, 31 May 2009 11:34:18 +0000

Thank you for this information. I have added flax seed (ground) to many things as of late, but found your information to be most helpful. I am hoping to find help with weight loss and inflammation.

By: What I’m Eating Now » Nut-phobic no more!

What I’m Eating Now » Nut-phobic no more! — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:41:21 +0000

[...] in particular are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. (Click here for a refresher course on what’s so important about omega-3’s as far as your heart is concerned.) One meager little ounce of walnuts (1/4 cup) contains a full day’s recommended amount of [...]