The Best Organic Milled Flaxseed

Northern Edge® Flaxseed is the very best there is.  No other organic flax product is grown, tested, prepared and cared for like Northern Edge®.

Best Growing Conditions

~ Northern Edge® Milled Flaxseed is certified organically-grown on farms in a large region at the far northern edge of Canada, that have been growing organically for about 30 years.

~ The environment is pure & clean at the northern edge of where food can grow, north of the 53rd parallel.

~ The flaxseed grown in this area is the highest quality in the world.

~ The very cold climate and the rich organic soil of these farms result in Northern Edge® Flaxseed having the highest oil content, about 45%, AND the highest Omega 3 level of the oil, about 60%.  This is FAR higher than any other flax product on the market.

~ The soil in this northern edge region is free of toxic metals, such as cadmium.  This is one of only two North American flaxseed-growing areas (both in northern Canada) that meet Europe's strict import standards for toxic metals.  All soils in the U.S. are too high in these metals to meet those standards.  Flax draws more minerals out of the soil than other plants, which is good if the minerals are nutritional, but a problem when there are toxic metals present. 

Best Company

Founded in 1991, Randolph & James Flax Mills is a family-owned business with a passionate commitment to producing the highest quality flaxseed.  Superior to any other brand, the flaxseed selected for Northern Edge® is scrutinized for quality.  

They process only certified organic flaxseed that is grown in this special organic region north of the 53rd parallel for the Northern Edge® brand.  This is the highest quality flaxseed in the world, containing 44-45% oil, with up to 60% of this oil being the important Essential Fatty Acid, Alpha Linolenic Acid (source of Omega 3).  Only the very best of the crop from this unique area is used.

Best Preparation

~ With the careful growing, harvesting, cleaning & storage methods the farmers in this area have perfected, their flaxseed is known all over the world for being of the highest quality.  Broken seeds (which would lead to rancidity problems) are avoided.

~ Every batch of flaxseed grown for Northern Edge® is cleaned to 99.9% purity and tested twice for bacteria, mold and other contaminants, and for rancidity.  One test is done at harvest time; the other, right before milling.

Best Content

~Another test is done in selecting flaxseed for Northern Edge® to insure the seeds have 45% oil content, and that 60%+ of that is Alpha Linolenic Acid, the Essential Fatty Acid source of Omega 3 fats.

~ This flaxseed is also tested to insure a high content of lignans, protein and minerals.

~ Northern Edge® Flaxseed contains, on average: 22% protein, 45% oil and 26% fiber (14% soluble, 12% insoluble); the other 7% is made up of carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, lignans (antioxidants), enzymes and other trace phytonutrients.

~ Only the very best (about 1/3) of what is certainly the best-grown and cared-for flaxseed in the world, is selected for milling by Northern Edge®.  The remainder, of secondary quality, is sold for use by others.

~ In two tablespoonsful (the daily recommendation) of Northern Edge® Organic Flaxseed, there are:

Calories . . . . . . . . . . 80

Total Fat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.4 grams

Trans Fat . . . . . . 0  grams

           Polyunsaturated 4 grams

           Monounsaturated 1 gram

           Cholesterol . . . . . 0 grams 

ALA . . . . . . . . . . 3.85 grams

 Carbohydrates . . . . . . . 4 grams

Dietary Fiber . . . 4 grams              

    Soluble . . . . . . 2 grams              

    Insoluble . . . . . 2 grams

           Sugars . . . . . . . . . 0 grams   

        

Protein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 grams 

Calcium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4% Daily Value

Iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4% Daily Value

Phosphorus . . . . . . . . . . . 8% Daily Value

Magnesium . . . . . . . . . . . .15% Daily Value

Zinc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4% Daily Value

Copper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10% Daily Value

NOTE: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Note that although 2 tablespoons of our milled flaxseed contain 80 calories, 50 of the calories are from the very desirable, high-quality nutritious oil.  The rest is mostly from the protein.

 

The carbohydrate content of flaxseed is virtually all fiber.  Flaxseed is the best choice for fiber to help with bowel function.  Flaxseed is 26% fiber and contains an ideal mix of soluble and insoluble fiber.  It is the very best food for the intestine.

Best Milling

~ Northern Edge® Flaxseed is specially cold-milled to give full benefits.  The millhead temperatures are maintained at under 42 degrees Celsius.  Milling is a needed process to enhance digestibility and bioavailability. 

~ Northern Edge® has developed a unique, patented flaking process that breaks up the seed, yet leaves the oil within it.  In order to leave as much of the oil as possible within the cell walls, the flaxseed is milled by slicing.  It is not ground or crushed.

~ This slicing or flaking process seals the oil and other nutrients into the pieces of the seeds, protecting and preserving them.  The oil seals itself into each tiny piece like a self-sealing envelope.

~ Ordinary grinding of flaxseed is too oxidizing.  The oils go rancid; as they do when flax oil is extracted.  Expelled flaxseed oil is a fractured, dead food, that also lacks the fiber, protein, enzymes and other nutrients, and has far fewer lignans than the seeds.

~ And, whole unmilled flaxseeds cannot be broken down well by chewing, nor by the digestive juices; therefore, as much as 90% of the value is missed.

~ Northern Edge® Milled Flaxseed is milled directly into a light-proof package, ONE BAG AT A TIME, and, instantly VACUUM-PACKED.

~ The proprietary slicing machinery is thoroughly cleaned after each milling with compressed air.  No chemical solvents or soaps are used on the blades; they might leave a contaminating residue.

~ Because of these unique procedures, the freshness and purity of Northern Edge® Milled Organic Flaxseed is GUARANTEED.  Our flax has been tested as far out as 14 months from packing with no detectable deterioration. 

Best To Eat

~ Northern Edge® Flaxseed is milled for easy digestion and is ready to eat.  Its slightly nutty flavor tastes great with any other food.  It can be sprinkled on, and/or mixed into, a plethora of dishes and foods, including; cereals, salads, sauces, sandwiches, eggs, rice, potatoes, other grains, muffins, and bread, casseroles, juices and blender drinks, applesauce, vegetables, fruits, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream and Tofutti!


Note About Color: Golden vs. Brown Seeds

The color of flax has no bearing on its nutritional value, despite claims by growers of golden flax that theirs is superior.  In tests conducted by the Canadian Grain Commission in the summer of 2001, the "Dakota Gold" flax from South Dakota was shown to have 43-44% oil content, while the Canadian brown flax tested had 44%; virtually the same.

However, the level of ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid -- source of Omega 3 fatty acids) in the Canadian brown seed was 59% of the oil, compared to 51% in the "Dakota Gold."  This difference is due to the colder Canadian climate, and, perhaps, to better soil quality; not the seeds' color.

Both the Canadian brown and "Dakota Gold" flax are substantially superior in oil content to other flax grown in the U.S.  However, unlike any other North American flax, Northern Edge® Flaxseed is free of toxic cadmium, and it is the only flaxseed tested to ensure the highest ALA oil level, as well as purity from contaminants.

Further, golden flax is a hybrid plant.  Hybrids are generally weaker than standard varieties of a plant and usually do not absorb nutrients from the soil as efficiently.  Chemical-based farming is commonly used with hybrid plants, which are more susceptible to pests and blights.  Golden flax is rarely, if ever, organically-grown.

Simply The Best

The growing, harvesting and storage methods of the conscientious organic farmers who raise flaxseed for Northern Edge® result in the cleanest, least rancid and most nutritious flax product on the market.

Their careful procedures eliminate broken seeds, that can contaminate a batch with rancidity.  Our growers are paid six times as much for their organic flaxseed as they would be paid for normal flaxseed at the grain elevator.

This is one of only two North American flaxseed products acceptable under Europe's strict import standards for heavy metal (cadmium) toxicity.

No other flaxseed is as high in oil content and ALA (Omega 3 source) content (every batch is tested). 

No other flaxseed is tested for rancidity. 

No other flaxseed is tested for bacteria and mold (tested twice). 

No other flaxseed is milled by a slicing method that seals the oil in the pieces and minimizes its exposure to air and light. 

No other flaxseed is cold-milled in the dark directly into the light-proof container and instantly vacuum-sealed.

Other producers mill their lesser quality flax into a large hopper, where it sits for a length of time; then they fill the containers from there. 

Flax oil makes up a large segment of the flax product market.  The oil is expelled from the seed, leaving behind most of the antioxidant lignans, the protein, the fiber, and the vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Exposure to light and oxygen begins the spoilage process. Rancidity quickly spreads through an oil-rich medium like an infection.  Free radicals create more free radicals (peroxides).  So flax oil, oil capsules or other brands of pre-ground flax are NOT the best choices for the consumer.

Northern Edge® Milled Flaxseed combines the benefits obtained from consuming flax seed oil, fiber products, mucilage (soluble fiber), lignans and high quality protein, all in one complete wholesome product.

About Grinding Flax At Home

The whole flaxseeds available for home grinding, even when organically-grown, are inevitably too high in toxic metals and other contaminants, and too low in oil, Omega 3 source fatty acid and other nutrients. There is no other flax approaching anywhere near the quality of Northern Edge®.

Furthermore, if the blades of a grinder are not cleaned properly each time, rancid oils remain to infect the next batch with free radicals.  On the other hand, cleaning with typical dish soap leaves chemical residues on the blades.  Northern Edge® uses compressed air to clean their slicing equipment. 

Summary

Be wary: Whole unmilled flaxseed is NOT digestible by humans. It only acts as a laxative. (In fact, it moves so efficiently, that after it passes through the digestive tract, if it is planted, it will grow!) 

Flaxseeds need to be milled to allow the digestive tract to absorb the nutrients contained in the seed.  However, bulk milled flaxseed or flax oil may rapidly go rancid as a result of exposure to light and air, resulting in a short shelf-life.

Properly prepared and protected, milled flax can be eaten raw, blended into drinks, sprinkled on ice cream or cooked and baked into items, without losing much of its nutritional value.

Flax is the best known source for the two most essential fatty acids: Linoleic [LA, (18:2)], and the less common, Linolenic [LNA. (18:3)]; which help to prevent heart attacks, breast and colon cancer, arthritis, severe menstrual cramps -- even depression.

Organic Northern Edge® Milled Flaxseed is for many reasons, the best flax product in the world.

No other flax seed is grown, tested, milled and packed like Northern Edge®.

The freshness and goodness of other flax products are much less than one so carefully grown and prepared. Northern Edge® is free of contaminants and protected from oxidation, yet is ready to eat; so it can be conveniently used daily. 

Northern Edge® Flaxseed is the BEST by far!

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Other Uses for Northern Edge® Milled Flaxseed

Poultices – Mix 1/4 cup of Northern Edge® Flaxseed with 1/4 cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt.  Let soak for 15 minutes, put in a clean white cotton cloth, and apply to infected area. Tie the cloth on and leave overnight; remove in the morning and take a bath.

 Acne/Dry skin/Eczema – Take one tablespoon of Northern Edge Flaxseed and mix with 2 tablespoons warm water. Let soak for 15 minutes. (One to two tablespoons of wheat germ may also be added to the solution.)  Apply to face and let dry. Wash off with a warm, moist cloth or water.

Diaper Rash – After baby has been introduced to cereals, start adding ½ teaspoon of flaxseed to the cereal and let it soak. Feed to baby. Flaxseed makes the body alkaline and will eliminate the acid that causes diaper rash. It is a joy to change the diaper, and easier on the baby to have a bowel movement

Heart Burn/Indigestion/Acid Reflux – Take two tablespoons of flaxseed with water any time you feel the burn.  Every day use of Northern Edge® Flaxseed helps to eliminate this discomfort.

Baking – Any time a recipe includes nuts, oatmeal, coconut, etc., try replacing the ingredient with Northern Edge® Flaxseed.  Example:  Nanaimo bar crust is more nutritious without all of the graham crumbs, and the seed also helps to modulate blood glucose levels. (Nanaimo bars contain a significant amount of sugar.)  Flaxseed is also excellent in bread recipes; ask for ours.

To replace an egg in a recipe – Use one heaping tablespoon of Northern Edge® Milled Flaxseed and three tablespoons of water.  Let soak for 15 minutes.  Examples: Cakes, muffins, pancakes. Vegans will appreciate this baking tip, and it is also an excellent way to include people who have an egg allergy.