Flax seed oil vs. ground flax seeds?

Indeed, flax seed is a brain food and regular intake conveys Omega 3 nutrients to the body that makes it a good supplement in the treatment of depression. Omega 3 acids are currently being studied for its impact on moods. In fact, pertinent research indicates that low levels of Omega 3 in the body affects serotonin levels that becomes the organic precursor of depression. With regards to the intake of flax seed oil against the kernels--true it could be that some of its Omega 3 nutrients may be lost in processing but from what I know, manufacturers utilize a special milling process that prevents the seep out of too much Omega 3, knowing that flax seed once grinded easily turns rancid. Nonetheless, using the ground flax seed and moderately grinding the kernels to release the oil and its Omega 3 benefits its a conventional and recommendable practice.

Good answers so far. A bit more: Ground flax seed obviously contains the oil and a lot more besides (minerals haven't been mentioned yet, and it's very high in those), but the trouble with this is that ground seeds are a lot more exposed to air than the oil is, especially if the oil is in capsules. This matters because the unsaturated oils in flax seed are extremely sensitive to oxygen, and if you keep the ground seed too long the oil in it will therefore go rancid - and rancid vegetable oil is definitely not good for you! Short answer; the ground seed is probably better, but only if you buy it in small amounts or grind it fresh from seeds before use - and if you are going to keep it, keep it in the refrigerator in a sealed container. If you use liquid oil, that is much better kept in dark bottles in the refrigerator too.

High-nutrient foods such as vegetables, brown rice, whole grains, seeds and nuts, fruits, poultry, fish, olive oil, and flax seeds/oil can help relieve stress and prevent anxiety. Flax oil is nutty-flavored oil that is pressed out of flax seeds and is one of the richest sources of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), a vital element for good health. The oil making process removes many of the seed's phytoestrogens which offer several health-related benefits including reducing the risk of cancer and alleviating menopausal symptoms. Fresh, ground flaxseeds are used often as a bulking laxative, and as a soothing agent for the gastrointestinal tract. The high mucilage in the seed is responsible for this activity. The German Commission E has "Approved" Flaxseed for chronic constipation, and irritable or inflamed bowel conditions.

I take flax oil, fish oil, and olive oil every morning. I am interested in the question too. I never even thought about the nutrients being lost. I hope you get some good answers here. Editing in here: Some of you seem to know a lot about this stuff. I am an old guy who has a tendency to dry up and shrink, and old people can have any number of other issues. I take those three oils with garlic oil, an over fifty vitamin, and gloucosamine with chondrite with metamucil in soy milk spiked with a dash of protien whey. That is usually my breakfast. Is there any reason that I should not be doing this? I do seem to have a lot more elasticityin my skin and muscle that I use to have, and I feel good.

You have gotten a lot of good answers, I might add that I got a small coffee grinder at "Sears", you might find one else where, I grind my own flax seed as I need it and keep it in the Fridge.

They both have benefits - the oil capsules have, obviously, a greater concentrated amount of Omega 3's, but the ground flaxseed meal contains other beneficial parts of the seed and is better than the oil at preventing breast cancer. I actually do both - I take two capsules of the oil a day for my blood pressure and I put two tablespoons of the meal into my oatmeal in the morning since I have a family history of breast cancer. (You have to stir it in after the oatmeal is already cooked, otherwise it gives it a really weird spongy texture.) I haven't heard of it for depression, but flax is one of the most beneficial foods available so it can't hurt.

My understanding of the benefits of flax seed (oil or seed/ground seed) is mainly the omega 3's and fiber. Oil is obviously minus the fiber and my understanding of the omega 3's in flax seed is it has a short life once exposed to oxygen (like most natural foods/nutrients). I am not certain, but I would suppose if the oil was encapsulated immediately after cold processing, it could maintain the majority of the benefits. Personally, I would use fresh ground flax seed - it has many benefits on top of depression relief (detox effect) which in itself would be beneficial to depression.

No I dint have an idea about the nutrients being lost in the process of making the oil. But Flaxseed may play a role in prevention and treatment of the following: High cholesterol, Heart disease, Menopausal symptoms, Colon cancer, Prostate cancer and Skin cancer. And I think not all of the nutrients are lost in the process of making the oil. And some thing is always better than nothing. :-)

packaged ground flax is very perishable and is not very fresh by the time you buy it.get the whole seed and grind your own.the seed once ground has to be refrigerated. so do enough to last you about 1 week and also refrigerate the remaining whole seeds.my breakfast is 4 tablespoons of flax, with 1/2 cup of water mixed with frozen or fresh blueberries.for protein,I eat one hard boiled egg.