So last week when I wrote about flax seed, flax oil, lignans, Endometriosis, and estrogen levels, I emailed Good Karma to find out if they filter their flax milk. Supposedly, filtered flax has A LOT LESS (sometimes even no traces of) lignans (the phytoestrogen which may raise our estrogen levels).
Anyway, a representative from Good Karma wrote me back today, and I thought I’d share it with you.
My email:
Good morning! I was reading that you use cold-pressed flaxseed oil for your flax milk. Can you tell me if it is filtered or unfiltered flaxseed oil? I’m trying to determine if there lignans in your milk before I drink it. I suffer from Endometriosis and lingnans may increase my estrogen levels, which may alter my illness and treatment. Thank you, Lisa
Their response:
Hi Lisa, Our Flaxmilk is filtered, so there are only sparse traces of lignans in our oil. As lignans are part of the flax seed husk and associated with the insoluble fiber component in flax seed the majority of the lignans go with the seed cake after we cold press the seeds. Some lignans do remain with the sediment in the oil but this is filtered out by our supplier before we use it in our Flaxmilk! Please let me know if you have any additional questions! Cara
**
So, from my research last week and this email, I may go back to drinking Good Karma’s flax milk. It has been the best-tasting dairy alternative to milk…and it’s only $2.99, so it fits my budget. But we’ll see. I need to really dwell upon the thought. Perhaps I’ll wait until after my surgery and really, really, really think.
…UPDATE 3/27/19: I haven’t actually gone back to drinking flax milk. I just didn’t want to take that risk. Instead, I’ve moved to an unsweetened almond milk. 🙂
What are your thoughts?
My family have been consuming flax milk for the past 3 years. I have endometriosis. My boys also have been drinking flax milk everyday since 2 yrs old. I was devastated when I read that it’s estrogenic. Now I feel guilty for giving it to my kids and we have stopped drinking it. We do love the Good Karma taste. Now we are also on to almond milk.
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❤ I've grown used to the unsweetened almond milk. Wishing you luck in the taste-transition 😉
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Interesting. I read an article about the levels of arsenic in almond milk and switched to Good Karma’s flaxmilk. Not too long ago I was listening to a lecture by Christopher Walker on the levels of lignans in flax seeds and their effects on testosterone. As I have gotten older (Just turned 49), I am very cautious when consuming things that affect my T levels. I was considering cutting flax milk until I read your article here. As I understand it, the filtering process used by Good Karma essentially minimizes the amount of lignans to a level that nullifies the effects. This is enough for me to continue using the Good Karma Flaxmilk because I also consume foods that promote T production.
Thank you for the article and information.
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Looking for a soy alternative with protein and I’m glad to see it has no estrogenic properties. Will be buying!
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I was super glad that they took the time to review my question and write me back! I hope that it helps you, Luis, and tastes delicious!
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I stopped drinking almond milk as it contains oxalates. I started drinking flax milk but I am concerned that it may cause another endometriosis issue. I had surgery 9 years ago. I may have or still might be suffering from oxalate toxicity because of my diet (eating high oxalate foods), plus I passed a calcium oxalate kidney stone two years ago. I think there is a connection between endometriosis and oxalates.
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Glad I found this old post – thank you for doing the research and posting the Company’s response. I’ve been relying on Good Karma as my dairy alternative with seemingly no negative effects (I have bowel endo so am extremely sensitive). I was afraid with the info I’ve been reading on flax recently that I would need to switch off of it so but I think I will keep it in my diet after reading that the lignans are filtered.
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Right? Their response was so very important. I’m glad that you’re making the decision for yourself to keep going
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