1. Vita Flax is rich in Essential Fatty Acids. Our bodies can make some of the nutrients we need in order to survive, but this is not true for essential fatty acids. EFAs such as Omega 3 and Omega 6 are vital to our health, and must be supplied by the diet. Omega 6 is found in commonly-used oils such as safflower and corn, so most of us probably get enough of this EFA. But Omega 3, found in flaxseed and fish, is typically in short supply in our bodies since the average American diet is usually woefully inadequate in providing it. Unfortunately, food manufacturers remove Omega 3 from their products because those that contain it spoil or go bad very quickly. Fatty acids attract oxygen, and if oxygen gets into food it becomes oxidized and goes rancid. Actually, this very feature is why fatty acids are so crucial to our health; they help transport oxygen in our bodies. Since we do not typically get enough EFAs in our diets, finding a rich source of Omega 3 is important, and flaxseed certainly fits the bill. A serving of Vita Flax provides an impressive 2,200 mg of Omega 3 alone!
   
   
2. Vita Flax can help with a long list of health problems. When we are deficient in EFAs, our health can really suffer. Symptoms of such a deficiency include dry skin, depression, angina and chest pain, poor digestion, and frequent colds and flu. Conversely, supplementing with an EFA-rich product such as flaxseed can lead to improvement in many conditions, including Allergies, Alzheimer's Disease, Arthritis, Cancer, Diabetes, Eczema, High Cholesterol, Lupus, Obesity and Psoriasis.
   
   
3. Vita Flax already contains necessary sulphurated proteins! In order to obtain all the health benefits flaxseed has to offer, it must be combined with what is called a sulphurated protein. If you are familiar with Dr. Joanna Budwig from Germany and her remarkable studies involving the treatment of cancer patients, you already know that she used a combination of flaxseed oil and cottage cheese, a food that is rich in these proteins. Dr. Budwig discovered that in order for the essential fatty acids present in flaxseed oil to assimilate into the body, they must first bind to a protein. BioNatures Vita Flax has been fortified with sulphurated protein, making it an all-in-one formula! It is perfect for people who do not like or cannot tolerate cottage cheese, or who are just looking to try something different.
   
   
4. Vita Flax is lower in fat and calories than flaxseed oil. Even though flaxseed oil is classified as a "good" or healthy fat, it does contain the same amount of calories as other oils. For people who are dieting and/or trying to reduce the amount of fat in the diet, Vita Flax is an excellent solution. A typical serving of 3 rounded tablespoons is only 100 calories, and contains only 4 grams of fat.
   
   
5. Vita Flax is versatile! Most people who try flaxseed oil enjoy its slightly nutty flavor, and it is great in salad dressings and mixed with cottage cheese. But since heat is not good for flaxseed oil, it cannot be used for baking or frying, making its uses in the kitchen pretty limited. This is not the case with Vita Flax; not only can it be stirred into juice or milk or added to salads, yogurt and cereal, but it can also be mixed in with oatmeal, cooked potatoes or vegetables or other hot foods. You can also bake with Vita Flax since high temperatures won't affect its potency.
   
   
6. Vita Flax is a good source of fiber. Ground flaxseeds are rich in soluble fiber, a substance that can be highly beneficial to our health. For example, eating a diet rich in soluble fiber has been shown to reduce cholesterol. In one study, patients who were given flaxseed enjoyed a 27% reduction in their cholesterol levels. Other studies have also shown the connection between soluble fiber and its effect on lowering levels of breast and colon cancer. Additionally, since fiber makes us feel full faster, if you are looking to lose weight adding Vita Flax to your daily diet can really help. It is important to note that for many people, Vita Flax has a laxative effect. If this is not desirable, try starting out with a smaller serving of Vita Flax and gradually work your way up to the amount you wish to consume.
   
   
7. Vita Flax has a long shelf life. Fresh flaxseed oil oxidizes quicker than ground flaxseed, meaning that the oil should be used in a shorter amount of time and purchased more frequently. Since Vita Flax has a longer shelf life, it can be stored in the refrigerator for longer periods with no concerns about oxidation, and can be bought in larger quantities and stored unopened in the pantry for future use.
   
   
8. Vita Flax is high in lignans. Flaxseed contains a phytochemical known as lignans, which have been found to have significant anti-cancer properties. In fact, flaxseed contains more lignans than any other plant food-100 times the amount, to be exact! In animal experiments, those who were fed flaxseed and flaxseed oil had reduced rates of cancer in the colon and mammary glands. Lignans work by actually attaching themselves to estrogen-receptors and preventing the estrogen to have any cancer-promoting effects in the breast tissue. Since as many as one in nine women in our country will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, adding lignan-rich foods to our diets is crucial, and Vita Flax is an excellent choice.
   
   
9. Vita Flax in rich in protein and other nutrients! A serving of Vita Flax provides you with a healthy 9 grams of protein. In fact, if you are looking to cut back on protein-rich animal products such as beef or pork, Vita Flax is a nice option for you. In addition, ground flaxseeds contain B vitamins, vitamin E and beta-carotene, as well as high amounts of minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese and zinc.
   
   
10. Vita Flax tastes terrific! Last but not least, Vita Flax is delicious! Ground flaxseeds have a mild, slightly nutty taste that is somewhat similar to wheat germ. Do not underestimate the power of the palate-no matter how healthy a food is, if it does not taste good, you won't want to eat it. This shouldn't be a problem with Vita Flax-most people find it tasty and easy to eat.

References:
Balch and Balch, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 1997, pages 52-53
Johnston, Ingeborg M., and Johnston, James R., Flaxseed (Linseed) Oil and the Power of Omega-3, 1990, pages 9-25
Murray, Michael T., Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, 1996, pages 250, 255-257, 266-267
Rudin, Donald, and Felix, Clara, Omega-3 Oils-A Practical Guide, 1996, pages 60-62
Weil, Andrew, 8 Weeks to Optimum Health, 1997, page 52
Various Internet Sources