Golden Flax Seed - Is it Better Than Brown Flax Seed?

» left by Anonymous 3 years 350 days ago.

Flaxseed was created brown and has been brown for thousands of years. The idea that brown flax (its natural, normal color) is thought of as only 'animal feed' is patently ridiculous. The 'gold' (actually looks yellow, but 'gold' sounds better) flaxseed you refer to is a hybrid that came about in a laboratory about 20 years ago. Tastes better? Depends on who's eating it. The Canada Flax Council (A recognized authority on Flaxseed) pointed out that tests showed that brown flaxseed from Canada had a higher Omega 3 oil content than 'gold' flaxseed. You must have forgot to mention that. - The reason this article has no comments is that it's a regrettable and lamentable attempt to promote a hybrid seed over one that God made a pretty good job of Himself without the use of scientists and laboratories. How can I become a member of your 'fan club'?

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» left by Anonymous 3 years 16 days ago.

That was the best comment I think I have ever read - thank you! I totally agree that organic Brown Flaxseed is superior. I am actually eating golden flax right now, because I thought it was brown until I opened the container(did not specify on label). This is my first time using gold flax. Gold flax feels less filling.  I also had generally felt better eating brown flaxseed. Brown probably has more antioxidants due to the darker color. The consistency is somewhat different. The gold flax is not as thick - brown flax is thicker and more pleasurable to eat. Yes, the gold flax might be more pleasing to look at to some people and have a milder taste. I would rather eat the precious brown flax. What's next - bleached white flax? If you eat flax for hormonal balance and health reasons, I suggest you eat organic brown flaxseed powder/meal. I am afraid if people keep thinking yellow flax is better, it might be hard to buy pre-made brown flax powder/meal.

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» left by Anonymous 2 years 331 days ago.

Sorry buddy but "God" did not make brown flaxseed. Nature did. "God" did not create nature either. "God" has nothing to do with anything in this world other than a means to control a mass, nothing more than an idea.

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» left by Anonymous 2 years 299 days ago.

You are my hero buddy! I am so happy there are people like
you that have got things figured out on how all came to be.
Is there any way I can become a member of your fan club?

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» left by bekah 1 year 266 days ago.

if God doesn't exist.. then whey does the power of his name move you to the point of making a comment about Him?

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» left by Anonymous 1 year 214 days ago.

Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth wasa formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

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» left by Anonymous 1 year 263 days ago.

If you believe in God then you might as well believe in Mickey Mouse, magic snakes, people coming back from the dead (like zombies), magic pregnancies, magic apples.

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» left by Billy Bob from Texas 1 year 262 days ago.

Is there any way I can become a member of

 

your fan club? You are my new hero!!

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» left by Brian from Kansas 1 year 262 days ago.

 

No magic snakes, apples or pregnancies?

 

The next thing we'll know - there will be no such thing as magic mushrooms.

 

God help us all if that happens.

 

Or, to put that another way:

 

Mythical mice, magic snakes, zombies, pregnancies and apples help us all if that happens.

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» left by Anonymous 2 years 311 days ago.

I just began eating the brown flax seed, I ground it myself and usually put a heaping teaspoon in my yogart.. I seem to have a slight stomach ache after I eat it, has anyone experienced anything like this after eating the flax seed?

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» left by Anonymous 2 years 299 days ago.

Might be a good idea to stop the yogurt and see what happens. Unless you are eating natural yogurt and not what is on most of the store shelves. Never heard of anyone
complain about a stomachache just hear people telling me how much better they feel
after eating it for awhile.....

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» left by Cal from So. Cal 2 years 33 days ago.

Wow, I just bought both a golden and brown flax. I'm grateful for the comments. I didn't know the golden flax was a manmade. I'll stick with what God made. The atheists can have the golden stuff. :)

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» left by Anonymous 1 year 353 days ago.

"What's next - bleached white flax?" No. That wouldn't look good. Might be a tough sell. Maybe 'Silver Flax' is next.

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» left by David

from Ireland 1 year 263 days ago.

Yes, very helpful, thanks. Is there a source of organic BROWN flax seed?

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» left by Gary from United Kingdom 1 year 262 days ago.

Hi Everyone, Came across the following information recently that relates to this topic directly (even contains a few quotes from article) and which readers may find helpful:

 

From the Flax Council of Canada:

 

Brown Flax Seeds, or Golden?

 

Which colour of flax seed should you buy? Some ads suggest golden flax seeds are more nutritious than brown ones, but the brown seeds taste and look good. Nutritional comparisons indicate you should be wary of over-exuberant claims from a particular U.S. supplier that golden flax is superior to brown flax.

 

On the North American prairies, thousands of acres of prime growing land produce flax plants with either brown or yellow flax seeds. In Canada, which is the world leader in flax production, almost all flax seeds produced are reddish brown. In the United States, and in South Dakota in particular, a golden-seed flax, called "Dakota Gold", is popular.

 

Is flax seed of one colour better for you than the other? A recent comparison of "Dakota Gold" flax with Canadian brown-seed flax shows golden and brown seeds are very closely matched in oil content (on a dry-matter basis). The analysis conducted on two "Dakota Gold" flax seed samples by the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) showed the golden seed contained between 43 and 44 per cent oil (see table below). This compared with the 44 per cent oil of Canadian brown flax seed found in the July 2001 CGC analysis. However, the brown seed surpassed the "Dakota Gold" in the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic component of that oil. The July 2001 brown flax seed samples contained almost 59 per cent omega-3 fatty acid compared to about 51 per cent in the "Dakota Gold" samples. Thus, the evidence points to nutritional equality of brown and golden flax.

 

Superior oil quality and higher oil content have long been major features of Canadian flax seed, attributed to Canada's climate. These qualities have contributed largely to Canada's current position as the world's leader in flax production and quality.

 

 

Comparison of Canadian Brown Flax Seed and "Dakota Gold"

 

 

Oil content**, Brown flax seed* "Dakota Gold"

 

dry moisture basis

 

44% 43-44%

 

 

Alpha-linolenic fatty acid, 59% 51%

 

% of total fatty acids

 

* July 2001

 

** based on petroleum ether FOSFA extraction

 

Source: Canadian Grain Commission, Grain Research Laboratory

 

Notes from FlaxAsia:

 

The Canadian Grain Commission sums up the question of brown flax verses golden flax by saying that, "the evidence points to nutritional equality of brown and golden flax."

 

We concur, the evidence does point to nutritional equality - and in some cases a higher percentage of Omega 3 for brown Canadian Flaxseed. There's a simple reason for this - flaxseeds grown in Canada's cooler climate generally produce higher levels of Omega 3 Alpha Linolenic Acid.

 

One reputable supplier of golden flax in the U.S. advertises their flaxseed this way; "Not all flax seed is created equal! Our stringent growing criteria produces the best hybrid golden flax seed. Our Golden Flax Seed was created, for its quality, by South Dakota & North Dakota State Universities. Our Flax Seed yields high levels of Omega 3 oil, Protein 10g and Fiber 11g. Also, Golden Flax Seed is not genetically modified."

 

This is true, golden flax is a hybrid flax that was created in the labratories of South Dakota and North Dakota Universities approximately 30 years ago. People sometimes mistake 'hybrid' and 'genetically modified' - they are not the same thing. A hybrid flaxseed is simply brought about by taking different flaxseeds and flax plant varieties and producing - through human manipulation - a new seed variety for the purpose of acquiring certain specifically desired genetic characteristics.

 

A problem seems to arise (for some) when certain suppliers of golden flaxseed make claims that golden flax is a 'designer flax' that was created specifically for 'human consumption' (as if humans didn't have flaxseeds to eat until the golden variety was introduced) and that it is somehow how 'superior' to brown flaxseed. These interesting ideas have led to some strange suppositions.

 

For example; this from the website of a golden flaxseed provider: "...Golden Flax Seed was developed for human consumption. Brown flax, can be eaten however, it is grown for the commercial Linseed Oil , paint, and solvents Industries."

 

The implication here seems to be that brown flax 'can be eaten', but since it's grown for 'commercial Linseed Oil , paint, and solvents Industries', we're better off to eat the golden flaxseed. After all, the simple brown flaxseed was not created equal, it only came about through nature (or was directly created by God - depending on which way one leans), while the golden 'edible' flaxseed was created in a laboratory. Are we to commend God or nature for creating the magnificent flaxseed - but then fault them by saying they picked the 'wrong' color? Such assumptions lead to an obvious incongruity. For example: The flaxseed that was being recommended by Hippocrates was what color? And the flax that Charlemagne passed laws on related to its consumption - was what color? Exactly. Human consumption of brown flaxseed dates back to 9000BC. Human consumption of golden flaxseed dates back approximately three decades. Golden and brown flaxseed have very similar nutritional properties - but some people prefer the taste of brown, while others the golden variety. Is golden more visually appealing? Depends on who you talk to - it's subjective. Some like it brown, while others like the lighter golden color. By the way, the golden (looks yellow to some) usually comes with a higher price tag. With the nutritional value being the same (in some cases the brown flax from Canada having a higher percentage of Omega 3 ALA) and with other qualities being equal - consumers will have to judge for themselves whether or not the extra cost is justified.

 

Another ad reads like this, "Our golden Flax seed is higher in Omega 3 oils than that of either brown or yellow flax seed." This bold claim is offered at face value without any source cited.

 

Here is one more example of an article slanted towards golden flaxseed and the not so subtle condescending putdown of the humble brown flaxseed:

 

"Golden flax seed has definitely taken over as the most prominent consumer flax seed. So widely consumed by humans it has put brown flax seed in a position to be thought of as only animal feed. Brown flax seed however is every bit as nutritious and safe for human consumption as golden flax seed. Both contain the same proteins, lignans, fatty acids and the same amount of fiber."

 

The last part of the above is true - both seeds are nutritious and safe for human consumption, and they do contain similar amounts of proteins, lignans, fatty acids and fiber. The brown is still - by far - the most widely sold and consumed and certainly isn't considered 'animal feed' by anyone with the least bit of insight into the matter.

 

Here are a few excerpts of what one reader (who didn't seem to take kindly to the golden and brown flax comparisons above) had to say in response:

 

"Flaxseed was created brown and has been brown for thousands of years. The idea that brown flax (its natural, normal color) is thought of as only 'animal feed' is patently ridiculous. The 'gold' flaxseed you refer to is a hybrid that came about in a laboratory about 20 years ago. The Canada Flax Council (A recognized authority on Flaxseed) pointed out that tests showed that brown flaxseed from Canada had a higher Omega 3 oil content than 'gold' flaxseed."

 

The truth of the matter is that brown flaxseed is grown for human consumption (as well as for other uses) and is being consumed throughout the world and has been for a very long time (and will continue to be). And, a lot of people seem to prefer it in it's original brown form - while many others prefer it 'golden'. Which ever way it is preferred - and rather than dwelling on the falsehoods of those claiming a 'superior' flaxseed - our focus should be on getting flaxseed (brown or golden) into our diets in order to benefit from its amazing health properties. ~ FlaxAsia

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