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Flaxseed

Toxin in Flaxseed

March 14, 2025
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Despite our showing high levels of the toxin cadmium in some popular flaxseed products, responses from brands show that many are not doing enough to address this problem. See our take on responses from Bob’s Red Mill, Carrington Farms, Nature’s Path, Organic Traditions, Premium Farms, NOW Foods, Nuts.com, Terrasoul, and Wegmans. Also, see which flaxseeds passed or failed our tests and our Top Picks for flaxseed.

Flaxseed for Menopausal Symptoms?

March 03, 2025
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Does consuming ground flaxseed reduce hot flashes, sleep problems, or other menopausal symptoms? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of our Flaxseed Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for whole and ground flaxseed.

Flaxseed and Blood Thinners

April 30, 2024
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Does flaxseed have a blood-thinning effect, and might it interact with blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) or apixaban (Eliquis)? Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Flaxseed Review. Also see our Top Pick for flaxseed (whole and ground) and flaxseed oil.

Flaxseed Allergy

November 17, 2023
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Although uncommon, allergic reactions to flaxseed are increasing, possibly due to flaxseed in food products. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Flaxseed Review. Also see our Top Picks for whole and ground flaxseed.

Lignans in Flaxseed Oil?

June 06, 2023
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Does flaxseed oil provide lignans like whole flaxseed does? Find out the Concerns and Cautions section of our Flaxseed Supplements Review.

Also see our Top Picks for whole and ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil.

Flaxseed Hormonal Effect?

June 02, 2023
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Flaxseeds contain compounds that are converted in the body into ones having weak estrogen-like effects. Find out if these compounds have beneficial or adverse effects in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Flaxseed Review. Also see our Top Picks for whole and ground flaxseed.

Lame Excuse from Nuts.com

May 26, 2023
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A CL member who asked Nuts.com about its testing of heavy metals in its nuts and other products was told "... we cannot share the results with our customers in compliance with FDA standards." Really? Learn what the FDA said about this when we asked in the Update to our Flaxseed Review.

Also see our Top Picks among flaxseed products.

Cadmium Found in More Flaxseed Products

March 23, 2023
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Due to high levels of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, found in tests of flaxseed products reported in January, we purchased and tested seven additional products.

Four products could not be fully approved, due to cadmium contamination -- two of which also had incorrect nutritional facts.

However, three products were fully approved and have become Top Picks, including a whole flaxseed, ground flaxseed, and as a flaxseed cracker.

See the results now in our expanded Whole, Ground, Milled, and Cracker Flaxseed Review.

Ground vs. Whole Flaxseed

January 20, 2023
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There’s some controversy over whether it’s better to buy whole flaxseed and grind it at home or buy ground flax. See what the evidence suggests in the ConsumerTips section our Flaxseed Review.

We are currently purchasing and will soon be testing additional whole flaxseed products and appreciate the hundreds of suggestions received this week from readers. In the meantime, if you need to purchase whole flaxseed, see our recommendations. Also see our current Top Pick for ground flaxseed.