Q: I just purchased some flax seeds because someone said they are better. But then I heard that your body doesn’t process them when they are not ground – that they pass right through you and you don’t get the benefits. What say you?

A: Well, your teeth are the perfect grinding machine unless you plan to swallow them whole. One serving of flax seeds yields about 11 grams of fat and 9 grams of fiber. When you drink the oil, that is not the case. It’s also a lot easier to carry. You have to keep flax refrigerated in a dark container that is impervious to light and that can be challenging unless you carry a cooler with you constantly. The capsules aren’t stable and they are a waste of money in my opinion. Seed also have a stablilizing effect on hormones, since they contain the hull and seed and all the nutrients. The oil does not unless it has lignans in it. Only Barlean’s brand of flax with lignans in it can offer that. Lignans also give flax oil its nutty taste. The other stuff tastes like motor oil. I think you’ll also find that seeds are most cost effective. You can also buy flax seed meal and make drinks out of it. If you’re not dieting, try this: Grid up 6 tablespoons of flax seeds in a coffee grinder (cleaned out of coffee, of course), 1 cup of rice milk, 1 cup of egg beaters and 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa along with some stevia or other sweetener that doesn’t give you extra carbs. Blend it together and it’s a great tasting drink that nets 24 grams of protein, 22 grams of fat and 18 grams of fiber with nary a carb.

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