About Barleans and an introduction to their
Organic Oils & Greens
Barleans
is based in Ferndale, Washington, USA and has been producing flax oil on the 12-acre
Barlean's farm for many decades. The phones ring endlessly at the Barlean's farm,
as hundreds of orders for Barlean's organic oils pour in from health store retailers
daily.
What's driving all this activity on the Barlean's family farm in
Ferndale? The realization that 8 out of 10 Americans are deficient in essential
fats, called Omega-3 fatty acids. The health consequences of this nutritional
deficiency are extensive. Health authorities, such as Artemis Simopoulos M.D.,
author of The Omega Plan, indicates disorders
such as heart and blood vessel disease, eye problems such as dry eyes and macular
degeneration, mood and behavior problems such as attention deficit disorder and
hyperactivity, autoimmune disorders such as arthritis, diabetes and lupus, skin
problems such as psoriasis, and even cancer, may materialize from this common
nutritional deficiency.
Dr.
Simopoulos indicates as many as 22 percent of Americans show no detectable amounts
of essential Omega-3 fatty acids in their tissues. It's a staggering problem exacerbated
by the current trend toward non-fat or low-fat foods. Some fats, such as from
flax and fish, are required for good health, for the production of hormones, for
communication between cells, to maintain memory and control body fluids. More...
Flax is back
The
current interest in flaxseed oil for health isn't new. The medicinal properties
of flax seed oil were recognized by Hippocrates in ancient Greece.
What
was recognized thousands of years ago was forgotten till 1929 when researchers
at the University of Minnesota discovered fats are required to sustain life. But
it has taken another six decades before health authorities have begun to recognize
the consequences of essential fatty acid deficiencies in the population at large.
By the 8th century Charlemagne, the
Roman emperor, ruled that every citizen of the Roman empire had to consume flax
seed every day to maintain health.
Over a hundred
and fifty years ago wild game, fish, eggs and whole grains were sources of Omega-3
fatty acids. Today the milling of grain removes the fatty acids. Other essential
nutrients are added back into flour except the fatty acids because they reduce
the shelf life of the flour. Laying hens, even the ones advertised as "free
range," have no access to Omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. Eggs now provide
little Omega-3. Essential Omega-3 fats are missing from the food chain and Americans
are paying a steep price for this in poor health.
Barlean's: It's a family
affair
Back on the Barlean's farm, Bruce, known as the Tom Sawyer of his
family, has recruited his sisters to join his cause. Jo Ann works in flax production
and Karen is the bookkeeper and controller. Cindy has taken over the Barlean's
fishery, which still offers fresh fish. They even offer canned pink salmon under
the Nature's Bounty label. It's a real family affair. Dave maintains a complete
machine and metal working shop on the farm. His latest project is to build silos
to house the truck loads of flax seed that arrive weekly. Dave also has a tanker
truck that sprays sludge, a by-product of seed pressing, onto the family farm
land. The grass on the Barlean's farm is noticeably greener than their neighbors.
Preserving and profiting from nature has become a trademark of Barlean's.
Even
with supplementation it takes months to replenish the body with Omega-3 fatty
acids. Both fish and flax provide the essential Omega-3 fatty acids. But only
flax, with a 4-to-1 ratio of Omega-3 over Omega-6 fatty acids, can quickly rebalance
the body with essential Omega-3s. One tablespoon of flax seed oil provides 5000
mg. of Omega-3 oil, which is equal to 5 to 10 fish oil capsules. No wonder Dave
Barlean gave up his fishing boat to press flax seed. Until Omega-3 oils are replaced
in the food chain, Barlean's has some tall orders to fill.
E-mail link to a Friend
Barleans
is based in Ferndale, Washington, USA and has been producing flax oil on the 12-acre
Barlean's farm for many decades. The phones ring endlessly at the Barlean's farm,
as hundreds of orders for Barlean's organic oils pour in from health store retailers
daily.
The
current interest in flaxseed oil for health isn't new. The medicinal properties
of flax seed oil were recognized by Hippocrates in ancient Greece. 
