FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q - What is flaxseed oil?

A - Flaxseed oil is the world's richest source of linolenic acid, weighing in at about 50 to 60 percent. It is also rich in linoleic acid. Both of these are known as essential fatty acids, or Omega-3 and Omega-6. Much has been written in recent years about the importance of getting enough essential fatty acids in our diets. Thanks to our country's love of processed foods, margarine, and dairy and meat, most of us get plenty of the "bad" guys, like saturated and hydrogenated fats and oils. What we are sorely lacking in is the essential fatty acids that can be so conducive to our good health. Flaxseed oil, made from pressing organic flaxseeds, is a fantastic source of the fats our bodies so desperately need, but cannot make on our own.

The essential fatty acids found in flaxseed oil do several important jobs in our bodies. For example, they help increase our energy production, improve our metabolism, and up the rate at which oxygen is used. They are also needed for healthy brain development, and as we grow older, essential fatty acids are necessary for our brains to function properly. Essential fatty acids also go to work in our bodies helping cholesterol and triglycerides move about and get processed properly. In fact, several clinical studies have shown that oils like flaxseed, which are high in essential fatty acids, can have a positive effect on lowering cholesterol levels by as much as 25 percent and high triglycerides by 65 percent.

Essential fatty acids also help our bodies make prostaglandins, which are similar to hormones. Prostaglandins are in charge of a variety of tasks in our bodies, so having enough of them is vital to our health. Among other things, prostaglandins help with muscle tone, our immune systems, and the rate at which sodium is excreted though our kidneys. Clearly, essential fatty acids are just that-essential!

Q - Why should I take flaxseed oil?

A - There is a long list of reasons why everyone should be taking flaxseed oil. Basically, the state of both our diets and our health is in serious decline. We eat far too much processed, sweet, and fatty foods that may very well be delicious in flavor but nasty in terms of their negative effect on our health. Additionally, very few of us get enough essential fatty acids. It has been estimated that only 20 percent of us get enough of these vital nutrients.

We have also seen an alarming increase in many very serious health conditions in our country. Cancer and heart disease are on the rise, as are other conditions like depression and other mental health issues. Many researchers have begun to make the connection between low amounts of essential fatty acids and these serious health problems. In fact, in his book "Omega-3 Oils, A Practical Guide", Donald Rudin, M.D., theorizes that essential fatty acid deficiency will eventually be tied into all of our current health conditions much in the same way the scientists of long ago finally realized that all of the symptoms of scurvy could be attributed to super low levels of vitamin C.

There are many signs that you may be suffering from a deficiency of essential fatty acids. These include dry skin, depression, lack of motivation, high blood pressure, constipation, and forgetfulness. On the flip side, once people start supplementing with flaxseed oil, they usually find that their health begins to improve, often after only a few days. In addition to the symptoms listed above, adding flaxseed oil to the diet has been shown to help with cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.

Q - When should I take flaxseed oil?

A- Flaxseed oil may be taken at any time of the day. Some people who are taking 2 or more tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily prefer to split their dosage-say one tablespoon in the morning and one at night. But in general, it does not matter when you take flaxseed oil. Its health benefits do not know how to tell time, so go ahead and take it whenever it is convenient for you. It is important to note, however, that many people experience a rise in energy after taking flaxseed oil, so for some, taking it in the morning makes sense. That way, you should get a nice boost of energy to get you through your day, as opposed to having to flip around the channels at 2 a.m. to catch the late late movie because you are feeling too peppy to go to sleep!

Q - How should I take flaxseed oil?

A - Flaxseed oil is available in either liquid or capsule form. How you choose to take it is really up to you. Flaxseed oil is usually described as having a mild, nutty taste, and most people find it to be quite palatable, but the capsules have a lot of things going for them as well. For example, they are much easier to take on business trips or vacations, and their shelf life is much longer than the liquid flaxseed oil. Many people end up buying both the liquid and the capsules. In either case, flaxseed oil should be mixed with a sulfur-containing protein for maximum effect. Dr. Johanna Budwig, one of the world's premier cancer researchers, discovered that flaxseed oil becomes water-soluble when mixed with a sulfurated protein like cottage cheese or yogurt. This causes the oil to become highly assimilated into the body, getting into even the smallest of capillaries. Dr. Budwig had remarkable success in her research on flaxseed oil and its effect on cancer patients. So, no matter what form of flaxseed oil you try, you should always combine it with a sulfur-containing protein, either mixed with the liquid or eaten in conjunction with taking the capsules. In addition, many people have found it makes a tasty salad dressing when mixed with vinegar and herbs. Also, some folks have added it to hot or cold cereal, and even salsa or other condiments. One word of caution: since flaxseed oil is fairly unstable due to its high levels of essential fatty acids, you should not cook with it. If you have to sauté or fry something, it is best to leave that job to your trusty bottle of olive oil.

Q -Who should take flaxseed oil?

A - Really, just about anyone can benefit from taking flaxseed oil. It has shown itself to be a highly tolerated supplement, and side effects are extremely rare. If you are showing any of the signs of essential fatty acid deficiency, it would be worth giving it a try. Or, if you have a serious health condition that has been shown to improve though essential fatty acid supplementation, it would also make sense to add flaxseed oil to your daily routine.

Q - What is the difference between C-Leinosan flaxseed oil and High-Lignan flaxseed oil?

A - When flaxseed is processed into oil, the fibrous hulls are squeezed out of the seeds. Usually the oil is then strained, and the excess fiber, called lignans, discarded. However, it has now been found that this formerly cast-away fiber is actually treasure, at least as far as your health is concerned. Overwhelming evidence suggests that a special plant fiber found in flaxseed called lignan can give you added ammunition in the fight against cancer, heart disease and other degenerative diseases. Lignans are active polysaccharides (a special type of carbohydrate) that make up the cell walls of plants. Flaxseed contains 100 to 400 times more lignans than any other known seed. A phytochemical-like constituent, lignans have been shown in studies to assist in preventing colon and breast cancers by helping to normalize hormone metabolism. Lignans have also been found to help relieve some of the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes. While regular flaxseed oil can be of great benefit to those who take it, flaxseed oil with lignans may be an ever better choice, especially for menopausal women or those at high risk for cancer.

Q - Which flax seed oil does Dr. Budwig endorse, BioNature’s, or Barlean’s?

A - Dr. Budwig endorsed a process, not a product. The Barlean’s Bioelectron Process™ is a patented process that is used to make both Barlean’s and BioNature’s oils. Either brand of oil meets Dr. Budwigs rigid standards. According to the Barlean’s Bioelectron Process™ organic flax seeds are cold-pressed in small batches resulting in fully biologically active oils. Because the quality of flax seed oil is adversely affected by light, heat and exposure to air, our flax seed oil is produced in darkness and then packaged in an environmentally-controlled atmosphere restricting the introduction of heat, oxygen and light – so you are assured optimal purity and stability. No other manufacturer uses this method to extract the oil from the seed.

Q - Is BioNature’s Vita Flax just ground flax seeds?

A - No! BioNature’s Vita Flax is prepared, not in a grinder, but through a special shaving process which produces no heat. Industrial grinders create heat through friction, that can damage the delicate, live essential fatty acids (which oxidize much faster when exposed to high temperature, light and air.) THEN, Vita Flax is fortified with sulphurated protein and other vitamins and minerals to help your body absorb all the beneficial nutrients of the flax. BioNature’s Vita Flax is an all-in-one flax product that meets the standards recommended by Dr. Budwig in her revolutionary oil/protein research. 

Q - What are omega-3 and omega-6 oils?

A - Omega-3 and omega-6 oils are the two principal types of essential fatty acids, which are unsaturated fats required in the diet. The digits "3" and "6" refer to differences in the oil's chemical structure with respect to its chain of carbon atoms and where they are bonded. The primary omega-3 oil is called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and is found in flaxseed (58%), some nuts, particularly walnuts (5%), and fish oils. Omega-3 oils help reduce the risk of heart disease.

The main omega-6 oil is called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), found in corn, beans, evening primrose, borage, and black currant oils, sunflower seeds (65%), walnuts (51%), sesame seeds (45%), pumpkin seeds (42-57%), and peanuts (34%). Once in the body, omega-6 is converted to prostaglandin E1, a substance that regulates many metabolic functions.
Source: Alternative Medicine Digest, Issue 18

Q - Is there anything else I can use besides cottage cheese?

A - Cottage cheese contains the sulphurated proteins your body needs to assimilate the EFA's from the flax oil. If you cannot tolerate the cottage cheese, we also carry a product called EFAs Companion Nutrients Complex which is a perfectly balanced blend of the key elements found in the cottage cheese in a convenient capsule form.

Q - Does the oil need to be refrigerated?
A - We recommend that you keep the oil refrigerated, although it is not required. The oil will retain its potency through its expiration date even on the shelf at room temperature. Once the oil is opened, however, it should always be refrigerated until it's used up. The softgels do not need to be refrigerated.

Q - Why is the expiration date on the Flax Oil liquid only four months?

A - The answer is simple. It is an all-natural product and contains no preservatives. Our C-Leinosan Flax Oil is the finest unrefined, certified organic, cold pressed oil in the world. We follow strict manufacturing procedures (The Bio Electron Process™) specified by Dr Joanna Budwig and will not compromise for any reason. As a valued customer, we would like to recommend that you try to estimate your monthly usage to assure you are receiving optimal benefits. Maybe order more frequently to guarantee the freshest product is at your fingertips. Our oil is fresh pressed monthly so you never have to worry about freshness. Also, remember that you can freeze your flax oil and extend the shelf life for up to six months and still receive full benefits.

Q - Can the flax oil be frozen?

A - The oil processor tells us they have tested oil that has been frozen after two years and it is still fully potent. The flax oil will not freeze solid.

Q - Why does the bottle of flax oil I just received from you taste and look different than the last one?

A - Our oil is manufactured from the finest raw materials available. Mother nature is the crafter of the product. The colors can be equated to geographical and climatic conditions that make each crop unique. Even slight variances can cause changes in flavor and consistency from crop to crop. Seed lots and different regions of harvest vary the taste. If the seed lot contains a larger amount of Omega 3, the taste can be stronger.

Americans have grown to expect the consistency in food regardless of the origin of the original food source. Manufacturers are able to provide this consistency in not only taste, but also color and texture by refining the original raw material and adding artificial colors and flavorings to provide us with the consistency we expect. This method robs the original food source of many naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, fibers and enzymes.

Our Flax Oil is unrefined and cold pressed to keep it as close to the original raw material as possible.