It is an often asked question when people want to start consuming flax seed. It is known that flax has a short shelf life if in its flax seed meal form and you need to get on and consume it reasonably quickly before it goes rancid but what happens if flax is heated? Does it go rancid and the oils then become a chemical that offers no positive effect on our bodies? Well from what I have read, there is some conflicting evidence but on balance it seems the essential fatty acids and the lignans found in flax seed remain biologically useful to us if they have been heated at temperatures needed to bake breads and muffins foe example. For more information about flax check out this resource before you buy flax seed.