Five Tips for Buying Flax Seed

Buying flax seed oil

Flaxseed oil is available in liquid and soft gel capsule forms. Like any oil, flaxseed oil may turn rancid if it is not refrigerated. Flaxseed oil requires special packaging because it is easily destroyed by heat, light, and oxygen. The highest quality flaxseed products are made using fresh pressed seeds, bottled in dark containers or in opaque plastic bottle to prevent light from spoiling it, and processed at low temperatures in the absence of light, extreme heat, or oxygen.

When buying flax seed oil check the expiration date on the label, as the oil spoils quickly. Keep it refrigerated for freshness. Should the oil develop a powerful odor, discard it.

Be sure to buy flaxseed oil supplements made by reputable companies who certify that their products are free of heavy metals such as lead and mercury.

If the oils are not certified USDA organics, then there is no guarantee that the plants are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. Organics will normally cost about twice what you would pay for those grown by traditional modern farming practices. So, keep this in mind that organics will probably cost more than those not grown organically .

A note of caution manufacturers are allowed to use the word “organic” on the label, when only a portion of the seeds or some other ingredients were grown organically. If you would like further information about this kind of labeling, visit the USDA’s website. They have a page that covers the subject.

Flax seed and Flax seed meal.

Whole flax seed stays fresh up to a year if stored correctly. This means that the bag in which they are stored must be opaque to avoid light from penetrating it and getting it rancid. Vacuum packed is best because it means it has been prevented from coming into contact with oxygen before it is open. Ideally flax meal should be refrigerated.

It is best to grind flax seed only as needed. In this way the seed is kept fresh and its nutrients stays intact. It is best to grind only what can be consumed for a day or at most up to a week. Store the left over ground flax seed in the refrigerator prior to use.