What Sprouting Does To Flax Seed

The major drawback with using conventional flax seed products is the stability and availability issue. For example, ground flaxseed and flax oil have a shelf life of only a few months and ideally should be consumed within 30 days from opening. Also, nature designed all seeds to conserve energy until they are planted or ready to grow. In other words, they were designed to bypass the digestive process in animals and humans. In the case of flax, the raw seed contains elements that will inhibit its digestibility (S. Gurshe, 1999) unless sprouted which is the beginning of the growing process.

The patented process used by Pura Vida changes flax from a seed that is essentially indigestible, to a naturally activated food (Table 1 below). During germination of the flax seed, "self-digestion" starts and transforms the nutrients stored in the dormant seed. It happens due to development of digestive enzymes (cellulase, protease, lipase, amylase) and vitamins (A, B, C, choline and folate), enhancing bioavailability of nutrients and minerals. As a result, from the same amount of our sprouted product (when compared to raw seed) consumers will get even more benefits. The increased benefit could be as much as 14% more for lignans, up to 50% for other nutrients, and up to 1000% for some vitamins and enzymes. When dried to a low level of moisture content and powdered, sprouted seed is shelf stable for years and needs no refrigeration.

Because stability and rancidity (oxidation of lipids) are concerns due to the extremely high oil content of flax seed, the patented sprouting process naturally increases the antioxidant content, which protects the polyunsaturated fats from oxidation. This naturally stabilizes the essential fatty acids. Unlike any other flax product currently available, sprouted flax powder is shelf stable at room temperature for over two years after opening.

Table 1

Comparison of Properties and Benefits in Flax Seed

Based Products (AVD, 2007)

Properties and Benefits	Sprout Revolution Flax Powder	Flax Oil	Flax Seed	Milled Flax Seed
PUFA's (including Omega-3 EFAs)	Yes	Yes	No	Some
Fiber	Yes	No	Some	Some
Lignans	Yes	No	No	Some
Enzymes	Yes	No	No	Some
Vitamins	Yes	No	No	Some
Phytochemicals	Yes	No	No	Some
Nutrients	Yes	Some	No	Some
Minerals	Yes	Some	No	Some
Storage Conditions	Dry room	Refrigerated	Dry Room	Refrigerated
Shelf Life	Years	Weeks	Years	Months